Katharine McLennan
Executive Coach and Leadership Advisor
A natural storyteller and teacher, Katharine weaves compelling stories from her experience with hundreds of executives, inspiring practical change. Well known for her futuristic visioning, inspiring teaching and thought provocation in workplaces, innovative design, unending curiosity and the ability to see the potential in everyone.
Quick Contact
Katharine McLennan is a highly accomplished professional with a diverse background spanning various industries. With over three decades of experience, she has worked with more than 50 organisations across different sectors. As a keynote speaker, thought leader, People & Culture executive, consultant, coach, and psychotherapist, Katharine brings a unique blend of expertise to her work.
In her role as a People & Culture Leader, Katharine has held prominent positions at renowned companies such as Commonwealth Bank of Australia and Cochlear, where she oversaw global operations. Additionally, she founded the Global Leadership Academy for QBE Insurance Group, further demonstrating her commitment to developing leadership capabilities.
Katharine’s ability to integrate strategy and psychology sets her apart as a trusted advisor. She has collaborated with esteemed consulting firms like Booz & Co, Heidrick & Struggles, and PwC, providing impactful solutions to a diverse range of clients. Her visionary thinking and practical execution skills were honed during her tenure as Head of Operational Planning for the Sydney 2000 Olympics.
Academically, Katharine has achieved impressive credentials. She holds a BA with highest honors in Neuroscience and History from Duke University, an MA in Political Science from UNSW, and an MBA with highest honors from Stanford University. This blend of knowledge allows her to approach her work with a multidisciplinary perspective.
Beyond her professional achievements, Katharine is deeply concerned about the mental health of leaders. As a clinical psychotherapist, she brings a unique understanding of the challenges faced by individuals in high-pressure roles. This combination of expertise in both business and psychology enables her to provide holistic support to her clients.
Katharine’s extensive experience, academic achievements, and commitment to mental health make her a highly sought-after professional in her field. Her ability to anticipate the future, translate visionary thinking into practical solutions, and integrate strategy with psychology sets her apart as a valuable asset to any organisation or individual seeking guidance and support.
Topics
Signature Keynote
The Leader’s Choice in an AI World
AI is revolutionizing every aspect of business—automating tasks, optimizing supply chains, personalizing experiences, and predicting trends with precision. But as technology accelerates, leaders face a pivotal question:
Will we enter the Isolation Age, where technology deepens divides and purpose fades?
Or can we create the Inspiration Age, where AI enhances human potential, fostering purpose-driven and connected organizations?
This keynote introduces the VISTA Framework, a groundbreaking leadership model designed to help organizations navigate the challenges of AI while unleashing uniquely human qualities that drive success:
- Vision: The clear direction forward to inspire teams and lead with confidence.
- Intuition: Inner insight to guide decisions in an ever-changing landscape.
- Synergy: Building teams that work in harmony to unlock collective intelligence.
- Trust: Establishing collaboration as the cornerstone of organizational success.
- Authenticity: Genuine leadership that fosters connection and purpose.
Join Katharine McLennan as she explores the choices leaders face in this transformative era and shares actionable insights to cultivate these qualities in yourself and your organization.
Audience Takeaways:
- A clear vision of the two leadership paths: isolation or inspiration.
- Tools to apply the VISTA Framework to lead with purpose and leverage AI.
- Strategies to replace outdated systems with people-first processes that thrive in the AI era.
Other Keynotes
- Creating Brain-Friendly Workplaces for the Imagination Age
- AI Meets Human Wisdom: Navigating Leadership in the Inspiration Age
- The Neuroscience of Fearless Leadership
- Culture: Not a Buzzword but the Reason You Can’t Wait to Come to Work
- Reclaiming Connection: The Lost Arts of Dialogue and Storytelling
- Breaking the Silence: Mental Health in the Workplace
- The Second Most Powerful and Paid Person is not the CFO, COO, CIO . . .
- Leadership Lessons from My Planning the Sydney Olympics
- The Intuitive Edge: how executives can relearn what we’ve lost long ago
- Quantum Physics applied to leadership: harnessing the possibilities
- Vertical Leadership: Evolving from Intelligence to Wisdom in the age of AI
- Spiral Dynamics: Navigating the Shift from Chaos to Clarity
- From Thought to Action: The Unseen Power of Mindset and Intention
