we are dedicated to the retention of evolving leaders
who we are and what we believe
We believe that evolving leaders often don’t have support they need as individuals (nor boards as a group) to thrive, leading to premature burn-out. We also believe that it doesn’t have to be that way. The key is truly tailored support, focused on the individual leader or board in the context of the individual organization or company.
We are a woman and veteran-owned independent leadership advisory consulting firm dedicated to the retention of progressive leaders in the nonprofit, academic, startup, and private sectors.
We’re here to help, with over 50 years of combined leadership and management experience across a wide range of sectors (government, nonprofit, academic) and disciplines (research science, international development, and the outdoor industry).
meet the founder
kate van waes, ph.d.
a unique and rich career path …….
Dr. Van Waes has advised cabinet-level officials, ambassadors, and rock stars.
She’s led international research teams, and co-led NASA Mars mission coordination.
She’s sat in the White House situation room making tough decisions, co-written speeches for POTUS, led events for Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and been the lead negotiator for the U.S. at United Nations meetings.
She’s co-led international advocacy campaigns to raise billions of dollars to end global hunger and malnutrition.
She’s helmed a national nonprofit at a time of tremendous transformation, evolution, and growth.
She’s been a senior adviser on G8 negotiations and written reports that were hailed by the likes of Christine Legarde, Cheryl Sandberg, and the Clinton Global Initiative.
Kate’s super power: sorting through the noise to get at the root of the problem. And a deep empathy for what a leader needs to thrive.