About Kathy

I'm the founder of Blue Water Leadership Coaching, and for more than 30 years I've worked at the intersection of business and human potential, first inside the corporate world, and for many years, as an executive coach.  I'm known as a straight-forward coach who's skilled at helping leaders identify what's getting in their way of further success, and I inspire them to move out of their comfort zone to achieve their future goals.

I work with executives and senior leaders, up to and including C-Suite, across multinational organizations, primarily in Financial and Professional Services.  My focus areas include executive presence, navigating organizational change, shifting to a talent mindset, communication skills, and executive readiness.  I have a particular passion for helping women find their voice and step fully into their power at the leadership table. My coaching incorporates neuroscience and a mind-body approach.  As a Certified NeuroTransformational Coach (CNTC) through BEabove Leadership, I draw on how the brain and body work together, including how they form habits, respond to stress, and adapt to change.  This helps leaders create lasting shifts, not just surface-level fixes. Prior to starting my coaching practice, I held senior Human Resources (HR) positions including Chief Human Resources Officer for Aon Canada, and Senior Vice President, HR for Manulife Financial's Corporate and Investment Divisions.  In these roles, I led teams across Canada, the United States, and Hong Kong, and gained a deep appreciation of the impact diverse cultural contexts can have on leaders both locally and abroad.

I hold the Master Certified Coach (MCC) credential through the International Coaching Federation, the highest level of certification the ICF offers, along with the Certified Professional Co-Active Coach (CPCC) designation from the Co-Active Training Institute.  I'm also certified in several leading assessment tools, including the Leadership Circle Assessment, the Hogan Assessment Suite and the Birkman Method.   I'm the Past Board Chair & Director of the Alzheimer Society of Toronto, and a past Board Director for TRIEC (Toronto Region Immigrant Employment Council).  I'm also a member of the Forbes Coaches Council where my articles appear on Forbes.com, and I've been published in The Globe and Mail.  In 2012, I was recognized as a Woman of Influence Canadian Diversity Champion. That's the work I do.  I'd welcome the chance to do it with you.