Meet Katie

Mission

Vision

Core Values

Equipping Parent Leaders to Drive Strategic Change

With over 15 years of experience in organizational leadership, human resources, and strategic development, I am dedicated to transforming organizational cultures and fostering meaningful change. As the founder of Courageous Steps, I collaborate with healthcare, education, and social service organizations to reimagine their cultures, optimize performance, and empower individuals to reach their highest potential. My work focuses on developing impactful professional training programs that equip people to advance their careers while making significant contributions to their organizations and communities.

Underlying my 15 years of work in healthcare, education, and social services is my positionality as a mother. I use my lived experience as a "parent stakeholder," "parent leader," and "NICU Parent Leader" to co-create sustainable change within organizations. This perspective allows me to bridge the gap between lived experience and professional expertise, driving meaningful transformations that center empathy and inclusion.

My personal journey has profoundly shaped my professional mission. In 2009, my son Giovanni was born 2 ½ months premature, weighing only 2 ½ pounds. Those 56 days in the NICU and the challenges of raising a medically fragile child sparked my commitment to advocacy for patients and their families. This transformative experience inspired me to pursue a Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership, specializing in Servant Leadership, and to begin a Ph.D. in Leadership Studies at Gonzaga University (ABD: All But Dissertation). Through my advocacy, I recognized the vital need for professional development strategies to empower individuals, particularly NICU Parent Leaders, to drive change and advance healthcare transformation.

I coined the term NICU Parent Leader to recognize the unique role parents can play in influencing healthcare quality and outcomes. Collaborating with clinical leaders, government agencies, and industry stakeholders, I work to develop advocacy strategies that foster credible partnerships and deliver measurable improvements to healthcare systems. My efforts are rooted in the belief that lived experiences bring invaluable insight to patient care and organizational leadership.

Beyond advocacy, I have a passion for education. I have taught over 25 courses in organizational leadership, emotional and social intelligence, team building, and communication to undergraduate and adult professional students at Golden Gate University and the University of Arkansas Fort Smith. Additionally, I served as a Graduate Teaching Assistant at Gonzaga University. My teaching equips the next generation of leaders to navigate complex organizational environments with confidence and empathy.

As a staunch advocate for social justice and equity, my work emphasizes the importance of inclusive leadership, effective communication, and collaboration to create thriving communities. I remain committed to improving healthcare quality and patient experiences, leveraging my personal and professional insights to inspire change and build better futures for families and organizations alike.

To empower healthcare, education, and social service organizations in enhancing engagement, cultivating thriving environments, and promoting well-being throughout their organizational culture.

To cultivate servant-leaders who enhance employee engagement, retention, and well-being, leading to continuous process improvement, a thriving organizational culture, and superior organizational outcomes

Core Value #1: Wholeness
I integrate all aspects of my professional life—work, relationships, and mission—into a cohesive whole. I ensure my actions consistently reflect my deeply held beliefs and values, striving for completeness by embracing all facets of my identity. This commitment to alignment fosters authenticity and balance in every endeavor I undertake.

Core Value #2: Service
I recognize the inherent worth of every individual and actively contribute to the well-being of others through my work. My focus on social justice and human dignity drives me to advocate for fairness and equality, and I remain accessible and supportive to those in need. My dedication to service is reflected in the strong connections I build and maintain.

Core Value #3: Purpose
I find significance in every action and experience, fueled by my desire to inspire others. I am motivated to encourage individuals to reach their highest aspirations while fostering a positive outlook and hope for a brighter future. This purposeful approach ensures that my work aligns with my core values and long-term objectives.

Core Value #4: Integrity
I am committed to being trustworthy and reliable in all my interactions. By applying my knowledge and experience with wisdom, I remain true to myself amidst external pressures. My dedication to integrity is evident in my consistent actions, fostering meaningful relationships built on trust and authenticity.

Core Value #5: Accountability
I take full responsibility for my actions and their outcomes, ensuring I honor my commitments. I approach every task with strategic planning and execute my goals with discipline and focus. This strong sense of accountability drives me to achieve results, establishing me as a dependable leader who is both strategic and disciplined in my pursuit of excellence.

Rates

  • Through the Courageous Steps Leadership Development Program, I help my clients strengthen their leadership skills, boost employee engagement, elevate organizational performance, develop future leaders, and create a thriving organizational climate and culture.

    $250 per hour | 2 to 10 people

    $500 per hour | 11 to 25 people

    $1000 per hour | 25 to 50 people

    Ask for Quote | + 50 people

  • Through the Courageous Steps Life Coaching Program, I help my clients enhance their self-awareness and people skills, improve their leadership performance, develop clear and effective communication, build confidence, and maintain accountability to achieve their goals.

    $200 | 90 minute session

  • Through Courageous Steps Organizational Development Services, I provide my clients with expert insights into organizational challenges. My unbiased analysis uncovers inefficiencies, streamlines processes, and drives enhanced performance. I specialize in change management, employee engagement, and strategic planning, helping clients define clear objectives, craft effective strategies, and optimize resources for maximum impact and success.

    $250 | 60 minutes

  • As a sought-after global speaker, I empower leaders to reach their full potential, inspire teams to achieve greater engagement, and elevate organizational performance and culture to new heights.

    Virtual Rate (via Zoom): $500 per hour.

    In-Person Rate: $1000 per hour on-site (minimum 4 hours) plus travel costs.