Kate Chapek is a dynamic strategist, a transformative leader, and an unapologetic champion of equity with over 25 years of impact at the intersection of politics, social justice, nonprofit development, and enterprise transformation. From campaign headquarters to corporate boardrooms, Kate’s name has become synonymous with operational clarity, values-based leadership, and powerful communication. Her work has touched nearly every corner of public life—from mobilizing millions of women voters to restructuring internal systems for global organizations—and the outcomes are as measurable as they are meaningful. Kate is not only a visionary; she’s a builder, a problem-solver, and a partner in the truest sense.
Her journey began in the political trenches, where she served as National Women’s Vote Director for President Obama’s 2012 re-election campaign. In this high-profile role, Kate shaped national outreach strategies that elevated women’s voices and helped deliver critical voter turnout. Her early career also included pivotal roles with EMILY’s List, SEIU, and the Communication Workers of America—organizations that entrusted her with crafting narratives, managing campaign infrastructure, and cultivating diverse talent pipelines. Through these formative years, Kate built the foundation of her career on integrity, data-informed strategy, and an unwavering belief in the power of people.
Over time, Kate’s scope of influence evolved beyond political campaigns and into strategic advisory, organizational transformation, and leadership development. As the Founder and CEO of Rise Above Strategies, she designed a women-led firm focused on solving some of the most persistent structural challenges in organizations today. Kate guided founders, nonprofits, and enterprise partners in aligning their financial, operational, and human capital strategies toward scalable, sustainable success. Her signature approach is holistic and customized—ensuring that solutions don’t just check boxes, but create lasting culture shifts.
A master of implementation, Kate’s clients include major entities like Amazon, where she led a global change management initiative within their GREF division. Her DEI-focused leadership curriculum, “Better Together,” was implemented across 18 international teams and 270 senior leaders. By weaving equity into every layer of the learning experience, she didn’t just instruct—she ignited transformation. Whether she’s coaching C-suite leaders or rebuilding backend operations, Kate is known for marrying vision with execution.
As a communications expert, Kate has successfully directed earned and paid media strategies across more than 20 political and corporate campaigns. She has overseen production for 160+ paid communications, including TV, digital, and direct mail content. Her ability to distill complex ideas into compelling narratives is rivaled only by her fluency in navigating high-stakes, high-impact environments. Whether responding to crises or crafting a brand’s growth story, Kate ensures every message is authentic, inclusive, and strategically sound.
Her track record in leadership development is equally noteworthy. At Leadership for Educational Equity, she helped elect over 300 classroom-experienced leaders to public office, focusing on candidates from underrepresented communities. Kate’s political training programs—steeped in inclusivity and practical tools—boast a 67% win rate, with over 70% of elected leaders identifying as women or people of color. Her hands-on mentorship model and systems-building acumen have helped transform candidates into change agents and institutions into equity-driven ecosystems.
Beyond her advisory and executive leadership roles, Kate serves as Chief Advisor for Strategy and Transformation at Athena Advisory Collective, a firm dedicated to guiding women-owned businesses through complex growth journeys. She works closely with founders and partnerships to optimize operations, elevate leadership, and maximize exit readiness. Kate’s deep operational knowledge—paired with her innate sense of humanity—makes her the advisor clients don’t just trust, but depend on during critical inflection points.
Kate’s commitment to impact is not limited to clients or campaigns—it is personal. Raised in Southern California and shaped by her own experiences navigating learning and physical differences, Kate approaches every room with empathy and a deep-rooted belief in justice. She is a devoted mother, a Dodgers fan, and a relentless advocate for joy and purpose in both work and life. These values inform her professional mission: to create environments where all people can belong, lead, and thrive.
An alumna of the University of Southern California and Georgetown University, Kate brings academic excellence to her already robust résumé of public speaking, thought leadership, and board service. She has been featured in Roll Call and Glamour and frequently speaks on topics such as women in leadership, voter engagement, and equitable growth. Whether she is addressing a boardroom, rallying a campaign team, or advising a founder, Kate’s leadership is grounded, magnetic, and unmistakably purpose-driven.
Kate Chapek’s career is a testament to what’s possible when talent meets tenacity and when purpose is paired with action. She continues to redefine what leadership looks like in government, nonprofit, and business spaces—pushing every organization she touches to rise above outdated models and reimagine what success can be.
Character:
Kate embodies resilience, compassion, and authenticity in all aspects of her work. She leads with heart and courage, drawing on personal experience to inspire others to rise above adversity. Her consistent commitment to justice and equity reflects a deep moral compass that guides every decision she makes.
Knowledge:
Her expertise is built on decades of cross-sector experience in campaigns, communications, nonprofit management, and business advisory. Kate possesses a deep understanding of strategic systems, team dynamics, and change management. Her insights are not theoretical—they are lived, tested, and tailored to drive measurable results.
Strategic:
Kate is a master at seeing the big picture while executing on the details that make it real. She designs future-ready solutions that are adaptable, inclusive, and aligned with organizational goals. Her strategic lens enables her to transform complex problems into scalable frameworks that deliver lasting impact.
Communication:
A gifted communicator, Kate turns ideas into narratives that inspire action and build consensus. She listens deeply, speaks with clarity, and always ensures her message centers humanity and purpose. From campaign rallies to executive retreats, her words have the power to shift culture and catalyze change.
