The 2022 Women Leaders In Consulting: Katie Clarke

Katie Clarke is a principal with more than 13 years of experience helping healthcare organizations optimize hospital operations to reduce care variation. Katie currently leads the healthcare portfolio strategy and management team, overseeing the advancement of strategic market opportunities and new partnerships in the healthcare industry to ensure clients stay ahead of industry trends and continue to deliver the best patient care.

What do you consider your greatest personal or professional achievement?

My biggest personal achievement is the beautiful family that I have built with my husband. I am proud to be raising happy and kind children who will have opportunities to pursue their passions and discover their talents. I strive to be a role model, especially for my daughter, to be independent and a hard worker.

What advice would you give to a female consultant just beginning her career?

Be bold and brave; take risks to put yourself in situations where you have to stretch, step outside of your comfort zone, or potentially fail. These experiences will provide opportunities to experience new successes, build new relationships and discover new strengths. Also, surround yourself with personal and professional support. You need a team around you who believe in you and will be by you to lift you up, tell you when you are wrong, and celebrate your success.

What do you enjoy most about your consulting career?

I love that every day is a new challenge; there is nothing stagnant in consulting. We are helping our clients solve the toughest challenges and achieve results quickly. I enjoy the talented and passionate client leaders I get to work with every day. It is rewarding to be invited into an organization's culture and help change the way health care is delivered and see the impact organizational change has for patients and their families.

What's the best advice—personal or professional—you've ever received?

Be confident that you deserve a seat at the table. Know that you belong and are afforded opportunities because you created space for yourself and demonstrated excellence. "You won't get what you don't ask for;" speak up and advocate for yourself.

In my family we had a few golden rules, one was, "If you want a friend, you have to be a friend." I carry this with me today and instill it in my children. Be the person that when the chips are down, others know you will be there and be willing to help.

What does being honored as a Woman Leader in Consulting mean to you?

The Future Leader award is both motivating and a huge responsibility; the acknowledgment of my accomplishments and the potential impact others know I can make has fueled me to want to push myself further. It is a responsibility I now have to continue to mentor and make space for other women to grow and have success.