Hi!
I’m Katie Bethell.
I’ve spent nearly 20 years building high-impact advocacy organizations and initiatives.
I am an expert at moving ideas and teams from “what” to “how.” My approach is rooted in creativity, curiosity, humor, love, and my deep optimism that the United States can become the country it promises to be.
I’ve led teams and organizations through every aspect of the startup phase. I am at my best when I am collaborating with skilled and joyous individuals and teams to solve ambitious problems.
I have been honored to be named one of Fortune magazine’s World’s 50 Greatest Leaders in 2018, and by Fast Company as one of the "Most Creative People in Business.”
What Collaborators Are Saying
“Among her greatest strengths was the ability to articulate big vision and big strategy, and then execute. Numerous times I got to witness her dive deep on a particular project or campaign, and was consistently inspired by Katie's ability to vision a pathway for success.”
— Michael J.
“Teaming with Katie was a delightful experience. She is not afraid to question the status quo and approaches challenges from all angles. I trusted her instincts and her research and she successfully rebranded and refreshed several programs, to the direct and immediate benefit of the organization, while we worked together.”
— Susan E.
“Katie is phenomenally talented in her own right at both creative solutions and the execution of those projects, yet doesn't overshadow the people she leads. I've seen her bring out remarkable abilities in members of her team, and create a culture that allows individuals to cohesively shine..”
— Patrick S.
More about me
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Fortune Magazine: 2018 World's Greatest Leaders
Fast Company Magazine: 2014 Most Creative People in Business -
Chief Operating Officer
WorkMoney.org 2021 - 2023Initiated the COO role for this rapidly growing nonprofit organization dedicated to lowering costs and raising income by helping consumers save money on everyday expenses, obtain benefits, and advocate for policy.
Structured the organization’s growth strategy doubling the size of the team to 45 and budget to $30MM.
Built and oversaw operational systems, including financial management, fundraising, executive support, board strategy and recruitment, performance management, employee handbook, and accountability tools.
Designed and ran the strategic planning process by setting priorities and metrics; developing implementation plans; building accountability structures; and identifying and addressing roadblocks.
Provided performance feedback to support staff, direct reports, and senior leadership; cultivated a climate that created a positive culture and attracted, retained, and motivated the team.
Co-created our DEIB program, including salary equity analysis, recruiting and hiring processes, organizational values and behaviors, call-in frameworks, and ongoing team engagement.
Operationalized best practices including appropriate integration and collaboration of teams and functional areas, to ensure strong organizational performance to meet ambitious targets.
Supervised, coached, and collaborated with senior program staff to ensure programmatic and team success.
Founder & Executive Director
Paid Leave for the United States (PL+US), PL+US Action & PFML PAC 2015 - 2021Built and launched the largest national campaign to win paid family and medical leave, consisting of a 501(c)(3), 501(c)(4), and PAC, and a proposal for 6 months of fully paid leave endorsed by a presidential candidate.
Individually raised over $15MM; recruited and managed three organizational boards, built a diverse and talented team of 20+ people, and led the creation of organizational culture and systems.
Defined the objectives for corporate engagement, bipartisan advocacy, storytelling, and paid leave policy.
Collaborated with policy experts and legislators across the political spectrum to introduce a vision for the future of paid leave; built a conversation through hundreds of national media stories.
Won or new or expanded paid family and medical leave for 8MM+ people in the US through corporate advocacy.
Engaged major brands including Unilever/Dove Men + Care as advocates for federal paid leave policy and cultivated an active cohort of spokespeople to speak directly to the power of paid family leave.
Managing Director
Change.org 2011 - 2014Led the North American campaign team, which built and ran high-profile and high-impact public campaigns in the United States and Canada for the largest tech platform for civic action in the world.
Managed the team responsible for the design and implementation of the campaigns for justice for Trayvon Martin in 2012 and the termination of the Boy Scouts' anti-gay scout policy in 2013.
Launched a national conversation on media and digital platforms with sophisticated PR and digital engagement strategies, including distributing more than 1 billion emails in 2014.
Increased campaign win rate from 3% to 50% and constantly met or exceeded ambitious revenue goals.
Recruited and retained great talent, supported staff to succeed with ambitious goals and accountability systems, and ensured team health with professional development and training.
Principal
Left Hook Consulting 2010 - 2011Focused on the use of online tools to drive winning outcomes in the social change space. Clients included: ForestEthics, Jean Godden’s Campaign for Seattle City Council, Fission Strategy, and Change.org.
Campaign Director & Technology Lead
MomsRising.org 2007 - 2010Served as the first full employee and key collaborator with the Executive Director of this startup social change organization dedicated to winning policy that supports “moms and people who love them.”
Co-created MomsRising’s unique online to on-the-ground campaigning model that became core to their success.
Led campaigns at the national, state, and local level on paid sick days and paid family leave, contributing to critical legislative wins in New Jersey, Washington State, and at the federal level.
Built organizational culture and structure, conducted policy research, wrote grants, planned major media and community events, built partnerships, and represented MomsRising externally.
Helped to grow the email program from 20k to 1.2 million members, built internal systems, and led technology sourcing and training.
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Training
Coactive Training Institute: Fundamentals of Coaching (2023)Leadership and Character in Uncertain Times, Harvard Kennedy School Exec. Ed. (2021)
Direct Action Organizing, Midwest Academy (2009)
Online Organizing, New Organizing Institute (2008)
Education
University of Washington B.A. in Comparative History of Ideas
Mary Gates Leadership Scholar -
VoteMama Action Fund Board (2019 - present)