Her Story
About Kolleen
Clarity Is a Gift
I have spent nearly two decades helping organizations move faster.
But movement was never the point.
The point is helping people understand why their work matters, see how they contribute, and feel confident enough to act before every answer exists.
That is why I start with why, not what.
My career has crossed banking, financial services, fintech, and SaaS. During my banking years, I was often the only woman in the room. I was fortunate to have leaders who invested in me and women who opened doors behind them. They did not speak for me. They gave me the perspective, access, and opportunity to use my own voice.
Over time, I moved from navigating the room to asking how the room could work better for everyone.
That is why I believe enablement is empowerment. It is not giving someone every answer. It is helping them see what they may not yet see and building their confidence to carry the thinking forward.
I can often create clarity for others before I can create it for myself. My husband, Bill, and I hold the mirror up for each other. To me, that is a power couple: two people committed to helping each other see clearly, think bigger, and become more fully who they are capable of becoming.
It reminds me that two things can be true. I can be grateful for where I am and want something more. I can acknowledge what is outside my control and take responsibility for what is within it.
When the path feels unclear, ask:
Why does this matter?
Who will be better because of it?
What is the next responsible action within my control?
A quote on our wall reads, “Be strong. You never know who you are inspiring.”
Maya Angelou said, “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”
Influence is a privilege. Empowerment is how I choose to honor it.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Kolleen
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute much of my success to one grounding principle: control what you can control.
I learned early in my career that ideal conditions rarely exist. You can spend your energy waiting for more information, better timing, or fewer obstacles, or you can focus on the decision and action available to you now.
That does not mean moving without thought. It means separating the signal from the noise, taking ownership of the next move, and adjusting as you learn.
I also reject false choices. It is not people or performance, speed or thoughtfulness, confidence or curiosity.
It is not “or.” It is “and.”
My success has come from holding those tensions, remaining accountable for what is mine, and continuing to move with purpose.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I have received is two words: think bigger.
We often solve within the boundaries handed to us without first asking whether those boundaries are real. Thinking bigger is not about making every plan grander. It is about looking beyond the immediate task, seeing the broader system, and refusing to let today’s constraints define tomorrow’s possibilities.
I now ask, “If we were not limited by how this has always been done, what could become possible?”
Then I bring that bigger vision back to the next action I can take today.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Do not wait until you feel completely ready. Readiness is often built after you take the first step, not before it.
Be intentional about proximity. Surround yourself with people who expand your perspective, including those who have already done what you hope to do. Different people can support different parts of your journey, but advice is most useful when it comes from someone who understands the destination.
Seek mentors who teach you, sponsors who say your name when you are not in the room, and peers who challenge you to grow.
Use your voice before it feels perfect. Confidence is not a prerequisite for action. It is often the result.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenge and opportunity are the same: AI is forcing us to think bigger.
The risk is using transformative technology to do the same work a little faster. If we begin with what AI can do, we may simply automate old assumptions. We need to start with why, then ask how technology can help us work, decide, and connect differently.
In that way, AI is holding up a mirror to how organizations operate. It is revealing what creates value, what no longer serves us, and where people should be spending their time.
My career has never followed one narrow lane. I have moved across industries, functions, and unfamiliar environments, so disruption feels less like something to fear and more like an invitation to rethink what is possible. I feel built for this moment.
That is also why Workiva’s mission to power transparent reporting for a better world resonates with me. Technology is most meaningful when it strengthens trust and helps people do more valuable, human work.
The organizations that gain the competitive advantage will not simply adopt AI. They will use it to think bigger, create clarity, and make more room for human judgment, creativity, and connection.
AI is not asking us to become less human. It is challenging us to become more human on purpose.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Empathy, accountability, and presence guide both my work and my personal life.
Empathy helps me understand someone’s experience before assuming I know what they need. Accountability ensures that good intentions become meaningful action. I do not believe we should have to choose between caring about people and expecting strong outcomes. The strongest relationships and teams make room for both.
Presence reminds me to experience the life I am working so hard to build. My happiest moments are traveling and sharing new experiences with my family and friends.
Achievement matters, but being fully present for the people and moments that matter most is its own measure of success.
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