About Kathryn

I am guided by asking questions, creating joy, living with democratic values, and treating people with dignity. With expertise in human development, executive functioning, behavioral science, and leadership development, I bring over ten years of experience as a mentor, advisor, and coach for young people. I work as a Career Development and Executive Functioning coach, helping people cultivate adaptive skills for transitions and executive functioning capacities using research-backed strategies. My curriculum addresses both the behavioral changes (e.g., implementing study skills) and the mindset shift (e.g., experimental, proactive) needed to advance learners’ outcomes and orientations towards transitions, work, and learning. My curriculum teaches both the theory behind improving and ways to practice improving 1) memory and attention, 2) motivation, 3) organizing, and 4) identifying change goals, and 5) designing progress plans for change. I also coach young people through personal and professional development challenges. My approach incorporates established frameworks of human development, including Adaptive Leadership (Dr. Ronald Heifetz, Harvard Kennedy School), Immunity to Change (Drs. Bob Kegan & Lisa Lahey, Harvard University), and Ethics of Care (Dr. Carol Gilligan, Harvard University/NYU). Previously, I worked as a project manager and lead analyst in economic consulting, conducting analyses and managed projects for antitrust lawsuits. My graduate research and nonprofit consulting engagements have explored how personal development can unlock economic development, how digital equity initiatives can be climate resilient, and how teams can thoughtfully and inclusively adapt to new processes or systems. I enjoy work that combines data and analysis with creativity, eccentricity, and joy -- things that are systematic and procedural with things that are nebulous and human. I like working at the edge of what is measurable. I grew up navigating extremes and bridging differences, traveling between New York City, rural Illinois, and Austin TX, and between private and public school environments. I grew up being the 'music kid' in my school and family spaces, and the 'serious school kid' in my classical music spaces -- never quite feeling like I fit in either place. Differences teach me how to listen deeply and attune to the music beneath the words of what people are saying. My recent battles involve finding my voice and courage and "lifting the roof" to dream bigger.