Dr. Katharina Schmidt has over 20 years of leadership experience, having held positions as CEO, board member, business development leader, and executive team coach. She holds an Executive MBA, is an ICF Master Certified Coach (MCC), and has a Doctorate in Leadership Psychology. In addition, she has earned numerous personal and organizational development certifications.

Katharina’s approach to leadership coaching is psychological, mindful, and strategic, combining depth, practicality, and a strong business focus. She has worked with executives and teams across a broad spectrum of industries, including Microsoft, BCG, SAP, Nike, FIS Global, ABN AMRO, Marriott Global, and various start-ups in different stages of their development.

Her vision is to help leaders find their own authentic way to lead. She believes leadership begins with self-awareness and intentional self-reflection. Research consistently shows that pausing to reflect on one’s thinking and actions, especially in high-stakes environments, enhances leadership effectiveness. She helps leaders identify their strengths, address blind spots, and manage reflexive tendencies, knowing that leadership behavior directly shapes team and organizational culture.

Katharina’s work is built around the pillars of connection, clarity, coaching, and commitment. She encourages leaders to look in the mirror, experiment, reflect, and close the knowing-doing-being gap—a process she sees as essential for long-term leadership success. She emphasizes that vulnerability, dialogue, and action create transformative leadership growth.

A true global citizen, Katharina speaks five languages and works in three. She has lived and worked in seven countries and has been based in the United States for over seven years, though Amsterdam still feels like home. She is a proud mother of two sons and has been gratefully married for over 20 years.

For Dr. Katharina Schmidt, leadership is learnership—a never-ending journey of growth and evolution.