Kate Gudgel

I attribute my success to a combination of preparation, follow-through, and genuine collaboration. Early in my career—and especially when I was new—I made a point to build relationships face-to-face. Walking over to someone’s desk instead of sending an email helped people put a face to a name and built trust faster.

I also chose a harder path when it mattered. I changed roles in the middle of taking my CFA exams to try a different area of finance. While it confirmed that investing was the right fit for me, it also gave me valuable technical skills and clarity about the type of culture and leadership I did not want. That experience made me more intentional about my career decisions.

I build credibility by being prepared, doing exactly what I say I will do, and staying highly organized. Detailed notes, strong follow-up, and consistency matter. When clients or colleagues are stressed—especially during volatile markets—I focus on what they can control and meet them where they are, without ever making them feel they should already know the answer. That mindset has been critical to building long-term trust.

Finally, confidence paired with humility has been essential. I’m confident when I’ve done the work, but I’m comfortable saying “I don’t know yet” when something is new—and then following up with a thoughtful answer.

The best career advice I received came early on from a coworker who helped me see that the work I was doing really mattered. They emphasized being fully prepared, following through, and not getting distracted by day-to-day noise. What stuck with me was the reminder that if you focus on doing good work and treating people well, it adds up over time. That advice has stayed with me and really shaped how I show up for clients and for my team.

First, advocate for yourself early and often—especially when negotiating. Ask for more compensation and more PTO. Women consistently under-negotiate, and those early decisions compound over time.

Preparation matters more than perfection. Be well prepared, but don’t wait until you feel perfect to speak up. It’s okay not to have every answer on the spot—treat those moments as learning opportunities and follow up thoughtfully.

Build credibility with facts, examples, and results—not at someone else’s expense. Advocate for yourself with data and real outcomes, while maintaining integrity and respect for others.

Managers matter. Pay attention to management style and mutual respect. If an environment becomes toxic, or you keep asking for more responsibility and no one lets you grow, that’s a signal to move on.

Dress for the job you want, take responsibility for mistakes, and stay focused on the bigger picture rather than day-to-day noise or office gossip. Play the long game.

One of the biggest challenges right now is leading through uncertainty—both for clients and for teams. There’s more information, more noise, and more pressure to react quickly. The opportunity for leaders is to slow things down, provide context, and help people focus on what actually matters and what they can control. From a leadership perspective, this is also a moment to strengthen collaboration across teams and develop talent thoughtfully—using technology and data to support good judgment, not replace it. The leaders who do that well will build the most trust and the most resilient organizations.

Integrity, accountability, and respect for people are non-negotiable for me. In my work, that means doing right by clients, following through on commitments, stepping up when others won’t, and being adaptable when circumstances change.

I value humility—never making someone feel small for asking a question—and discipline, especially in how I communicate and manage expectations. Trust is earned by consistency and presence, particularly when things are difficult.

In my personal life, flexibility and boundaries matter. Being a parent has reinforced the importance of perspective: understanding where someone is in their life and meeting them accordingly. I’ve accepted that I can’t be everywhere, but I’ve been clear about what I won’t compromise—being present for my family in meaningful ways and protecting time outside of work.

I believe strongly in maintaining a distinct line between work time and life time. Constant access doesn’t equal effectiveness, and protecting personal time ultimately makes me better at my job.