Kati Hanna

Kati has unlocked the secret to leading and impacting others: it’s simply to listen intentionally. She’s used that skill to influence and inspire many local leaders.

What makes you feel proud?

What makes you feel proud? Being a leader is hard, if you want to do it well. My proudest moments are the times when I am that one person a leader calls when they need someone they trust to help them think through a difficult and often complex emerging challenge.

What keeps you up at night?

Knowing I only have a year left with my daughter before she goes off to college. I have relished being the mother to two amazing kids, and think about all of the things I still want to do with her before she leaves.

Who is the biggest influence in your life? Why?

My husband, Ron. He is a serial entrepreneur and believed in my abilities to make it on my own before I had even thought about being an entrepreneur. His support and encouragement was the catalyst that helped me start my own consulting firm.

What’s been the biggest obstacle in your life so far?

Watching two people in my life lose their battles with addiction at young ages and feeling absolutely helpless.

What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?

The absolute best advice I have ever received is to always assume positive intent. I've been given a lot of great advice throughout the years, but this one is something I believe has shaped who I am and how I view the world.

“The absolute best advice I have ever received is to always assume positive intent.”

What’s the single biggest problem you’d like to solve in your community?

Helping graduates from the local nonprofit ReMerge find long term sustainable jobs. These graduates are women who have fought against so many odds in their lives to become outstanding community members and mothers. They deserve a second chance, and I would love to see more employers in our community partner with ReMerge to provide careers for these courageous women.