Kathryn Maloney, M.A. ABS

Kathryn Maloney, M.A. ABS

An appreciator of contrast and the exquisite beauty found in the spaces between, Kathryn operates at the dynamic intersection of system complexity and applied behavioral science design, relentlessly driving outcome-based results. With over 25 years of transformative experience, she has been a catalyst for change, seamlessly weaving visionary systems initiatives into strategic priorities. As a trusted advisor and partner, she empowers leaders, founders, and teams to build robust businesses and effect profound change. Drawing from her extensive expertise, Kathryn immerses herself in the intricacies of leadership, communication, operational system designing, horizontal functioning, connective tissue knitting, and collective intelligence. She infuses presence, power, and profound self-awareness into comprehensive organisational strategies, implementing actionable changes that elevate your system’s potential and amplify its human value. Kathryn’s approach transcends mere complexity management; it’s about mastering it to forge meaningful impact. She empowers organizations to navigate challenges with unwavering clarity and purpose, ensuring that every initiative resonates deeply with the core mission and aspirations of the people involved. Her work isn’t merely about strategy; it’s about transforming visions into reality, creating a legacy of innovation, status quo disruption, and evolutionary growth.

Automation & Connectivity Era

In a world that often feels paradoxically disconnected despite its connectivity, where the pace of change is relentless, accelerating, and met with significant resistance, and where we have unprecedented access to intelligence, Kathryn dedicates her time to working with leaders to bridge organizational and era divides. She designs companies, functions, and teaming systems poised to thrive in the landscape of the era of advanced automation and connectivity, guiding them to embody new organisational and leadership languages while transitioning from outdated paradigms to become more stable, comfortable, adaptable, and resilient in the face of now challenges.

Experience & Education

A key aspect of her professional charm lies in her ability to understand and apply methodologies and technologies without clinging too tightly to them or imposing unrealistic expectations. Kathryn has collaborated with industry giants like Boeing, Boston Consulting Group, Edelman, and GE, as well as government agencies and NGOs such as the United Nations (including the World Food Programme Innovation Accelerator and UNFPA), the Federal Trade Commission, the Federal Reserve, the IRS, and Health and Human Services. Her work also spans educational and research institutions like Kaplan and the Rand Corporation, alongside start-ups and many female-founded small businesses. She has founded several practices herself and partnered in the founding and leadership of several others. This breath of situational experiences provides her a deep appreciation and 50k mile altitude view when designing, driving, and facilitating strategy for client teams.

Kathryn's academic foundation in Applied Behavioral Sciences is complemented by a systems thinking lens, influenced by the pioneers of organizational development and systems theory from the 20th century. She is trained as a process and systems design consultant, focusing on organizational systems rather than family systems. Her deep expertise in research and data analysis, combined with her rare experience in designing and executing large-scale, rigorous qualitative studies, allows her to facilitate the application of grounded results into system, organisational, and public policy changes effectively.

As a trained executive and systems coach, as well as a master facilitator, Kathryn brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to her practice. Her undergraduate studies in Italian Language, Literature, and Art History provide a rich cultural bedrock that informs her teaching and practice today. Her graduate work conducted through an experiential program at the Leadership Institute of Seattle (LIOS) within a naturopathic college (Bastyr University) has equipped her with a practitioner’s tapestry that extends far beyond the traditional theoretical education.

Joys & Studies

A dedicated student of Vedic meditation, yoga, and Eastern philosophy for over a decade, Kathryn synthesizes diverse perspectives — including the wisdom of her own intuition — to bring insight and clarity to every moment. She understands that easy fixes are rare; instead, she champions a focus on presence and a committed, progressive approach to change that will ultimately prevail.

Among her favorite places are the serene embrace of silence and the invigorating energy of brilliant, loud music. She finds joy in solo travel adventures, art, design, sunshine, the beach, sunsets, and engaging with good people. Kathryn thrives on grappling with ideas, solving riddles, and savoring life’s moments without taking them too seriously.

While her education and professional experiences have imparted invaluable lessons, Kathryn's greatest motivation and most cherished teacher has always been her son, Sean Simonds. A kind, deeply insightful, and passionate individual, Sean navigates at the intersections of strategy, financial markets, research, policy, and writing for UBS in NYC.