Katie Lacey, Founding Member of The Band of Sisters, On: The Importance of a First Boss, Choosing People Over To-Do Lists, and What Executive Presence Means

Katie Lacey is a board member for Designer Protein and a founding member of The Band of Sisters, a consulting firm helping leaders leverage diversity to build inclusive and productive cultures. With expertise in brand strategy and consumer insights, she is a professional with more than 28 years of experience driving the growth of various companies and managing large-scale company turnarounds. 

As the former President and CEO of Crane Stationery, she led a management buyout, returned the business to profitability, accelerated e-commerce investment, and acquired Crane's largest competitor, which led to its acquisition by an industry competitor. Before Crane, Katie was the Senior VP at ESPN and held various executive marketing roles at PepsiCo for 13 years.

In this episode…

Effective business leadership comes in various forms and requires diverse skills and approaches. Leaders who have worked in different companies and industries bring unique insights, particularly those with experience with global brands. Their ability to manage multiple stakeholders, navigate cultural differences, and respond to changing market conditions is essential in today's business environment, where agility and responsiveness are critical to success.

Katie Lacey has had an illustrious and diverse career and has amassed a wealth of experience she's refined over the years. Her multifarious background has given her a unique perspective on leadership. Throughout her career, Katie has held leadership roles across various industries, including beauty, fashion, and retail. Her extensive experience has allowed her to develop a versatile and effective leadership approach. Through her work with The Band of Sisters, Katie shares her insights and mentors other women, helping to empower them in their careers. At this career stage, she is dedicated to giving back and sharing her knowledge with others to help them adapt their leadership styles.

In this episode of Next Wave Leadership, Dov Pollack talks with Katie Lacey, a board member for Designer Protein and a founding member of The Band of Sisters, to talk about leadership and lessons from her career. They discuss the importance of a first boss, assessing employee reviews, combatting lazy language, and bringing your whole self to work. They also touch on her experience at male-dominated companies and her current work with The Band of Sisters.