GET TO KNOW KATE HAYES

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I have spent my career inside leadership, not observing it from the outside.

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My path began in high-end retail leadership, progressed through regional sales leadership, and ultimately led me to found High Ground Coaching and Development in 2017. Throughout each role, one pattern remained consistent: organizations thrive when leaders understand people, communicate with intention, and lead with character rather than control.

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I created the Next Gen Leadership Program to address a gap I saw repeatedly in leadership development. Leaders were being promoted without being developed, expected to navigate complexity, generational differences, and change without the tools to do so well. The program focuses on emotional intelligence, leadership communication, courage, confidence, and character, the capabilities that shape culture and determine whether people stay, grow, or disengage.

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Over the years, this work has helped organizations reduce employee turnover, rebuild trust in volatile environments, and develop loyal, high-performing teams across all five generations in today’s workforce.

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In April 2024, I published my first book, Take Back Your Life; 5 Steps to Creating YOUR Quantum Leap!, which became a #1 new release on Amazon. The book and its companion leadership tools reflect the same philosophy that guides my coaching and leadership consulting work: clarity creates momentum, and disciplined action sustains it.

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I will name this openly. I was initially resistant to artificial intelligence in leadership. My concern centered on protecting leadership voice, creativity, and presence. That perspective shifted when I began using AI as a thought partner rather than a replacement. That experience, paired with advanced AI certification through Tony Robbins, Dean Graziosi, and Igor Pogany, now informs how I teach leaders to integrate technology without losing what makes leadership human.

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Today, my work spans leadership coaching, leadership development programs, workshops, keynote speaking, and advisory partnerships. Everything I do is designed to help leaders lead people well, especially when expectations are high and circumstances are complex.

I live in central Wyoming with my husband and a lively collection of animals, and I remain deeply committed to developing leaders who create leaders.

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Are you searching for an inspiring leadership speaker to spark excitement and results in your organization? Visit Kate's Keynotes + Workshops page to learn more and find the perfect fit for your needs or give her a call to create something unique customized for your organization.