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Professional Bio
Leadership for a World That Works Better
ORGANIZATIONAL CHANGE | LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT | STRATEGIC ALIGNMENT & IMPLEMENTATION
I partner with executives, and their teams, to lead through complexity, navigate uncertainty, and shape the emerging future. Our work together expands organizational, team, and leadership capabilities to generate strategic impact and mission success.
ORGANIZATION DEVELOPMENT CONSULTING
-visioning, planning, goal setting
-strategic alignment
-structure & roles
-leadership, change, organizational culture
-communication & collaboration
-team dynamics & relationships
-stakeholder engagement
TEAM EFFECTIVENESS
Partner with leaders and teams to convene and design powerful conversations, foster boundary-spanning connection, and facilitate interactive meetings and off-sites. These hands-on, high-energy experiences bring ideas into action so participants lead and work together better.
LEADERSHIP COACHING AND DEVELOPMENT
Individual, team, and group coaching invites leaders to see new possibilities for action, commit to game-changing practices, and bring their whole, authentic self to leadership.
My experience spans 30 years working with 50+ private and public sector clients in diverse industries, including 11 health systems and 22 federal agencies. I am a strategic leader and change agent with a talent for assessing complex dynamics and supporting and challenging leaders and teams to embrace risk, build agility, and generate fresh solutions to grow in new directions.
I am proud to support the mission of Kaiser Permanente. Before joining KP, I launched and operated a leadership & OD consultancy for 20 years and served as faculty member with the Center for Creative Leadership.
I have presented and published (former name: Gaines) internationally for practitioners and scholars on a range of leadership topics. I've served as President of the Board of the Chesapeake Bay OD Network and the Washington DC Metro Area Chapter of the Association for Talent Development. I've also served as a board member with the International Leadership Association.
My Ph.D. in Leadership and Change is from Antioch University with an M.A. in Communication from the University of Maryland. I graduated from the ICF-accredited Newfield Network’s coach training program. My dissertation study, “A Communicative Theory of Leadership Practice” develops a theory of leadership as a generative, social practice independent of formal authority or position power.
More About Me
Who is Kathryn Wilder?
Dedicated to Learning and Not Afraid of Hard Work
The first person in my family to graduate from college, I earned an MA and a PhD. My pride is less about the academic achievement and more about the fact that I worked and paid my way through school with a combination of jobs, student loans, and financial aid.
My lessons in workplace dynamics started early. I began working and saving at age 11, building a small babysitting enterprise until I was old enough for a work permit and jobs as a cashier, waitress, and office assistant. I found my own way from a young age and began living independently at the age of 17.
My educational pursuits were always aimed at real-world application. I began my doctoral program with a 3 year old son, a dog, and a business to run. So I learned a thing or two about competing priorities, resilience, and work-life balance. I cultivated a sense of wonder and curiosity with a deep love of learning along the way.
Confident That I Can Build or Find My Community and Step Into Leadership to Foster Collaboration
My self-reliance and independence was always supported by community, even as a child — teachers, parents of friends, librarians. It's in my nature to connect and build community. This shows up in my professional life too. I've served as President of the Board of Directors of two professional associations and as a board member on a third. It’s not enough for me to be an active member or volunteer. I want to shape the direction, influence the offerings, and provide leadership to make a difference. Along the way, I have built relationships with colleagues, been mentored, mentored others, and found lasting friendships around the world. I enjoy fostering connections across my network, helping to bring together people and ideas to grow, learn, and generate something new or valuable.
Resilient and Strong Through Unimaginable Loss
My 20 year old son died unexpectedly in January 2021. As I continue to navigate and heal through that loss, it has transformed me in remarkable ways, including a new sense of fearlessness and humility, clarity about what matters most in life, and a commitment to make it all count.
In An Alternate Universe...
If I wasn’t in my current profession, then I might be a journalist, anthropologist, lawyer, or independent bookstore owner. . . or somehow affiliated with the world of writing, film, or theater, I’ve always been fascinated with the creative process and I'm a lifelong reader. In fact, I'm working on my first novel.
My Different Roles
Leadership & Organization Development Consultant
Leadership & Organization Development Consultant
Leadership & Organization Development Consultant
Support and challenge leaders and teams to strengthen organizational capacity, capability, and community as they navigate and lead strategically through complexity and ambiguity.
Coach and Facilitator
Leadership & Organization Development Consultant
Leadership & Organization Development Consultant
Convene conversations and design experiences with individuals and groups for in-the-moment learning and practice to develop leadership and teamwork. I create a space for connection and see what unfolds.
Writer
Leadership & Organization Development Consultant
Writer
Writing is a process for me to discover and learn. I use it to create a space to explore and see what emerges. Occasionally I share my reflections and insights with others. For me, it is a divine, sacred experience.