EP99: Lessons From A Heads Up Leader

In this episode of the WPAOG Podcast, we sit down with Kathleen Widmer, class of 1983, and a 2025 Distinguished Graduate Award honoree. From helping launch the Women’s Lacrosse team as a cadet to leading in both the military and private sector, Widmer shares powerful stories of perseverance, leadership, and service. Her journey reflects a deep commitment to others and a belief that real leadership starts with humility and humanity.

 

Widmer’s path is defined by lifelong service and standout leadership — from breaking barriers as one of West Point’s early women graduates and a pioneering field artillery battery commander, to shaping healthcare access as a senior executive at Johnson & Johnson. She was instrumental in forming the Women’s Lacrosse Team at the Academy, led veteran hiring programs in corporate America, and helped restore the Wounded Warrior Project as board chair. Through it all, she’s remained a committed supporter of West Point, exemplifying the values of the Long Gray Line across every chapter of her life.

 

Listeners will gain insight into how West Point prepared her for command and crisis leadership, how she led teams through the pandemic and major corporate transformations, and why she believes the most effective leaders lead with their humanity. This episode is a must-listen for professionals, leaders, and cadets who want to learn what it truly means to lead with impact.

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Key Quote:

“ The other thing that West Point really did for me that helped me in industry is you build stamina at West Point. You don't get to opt out of hard stuff. You have to do everything. You have to get up every day early. You have to follow a schedule that puts too many things in front of you to do, then you can actually accomplish, and you have to filter all the time what's important and focus on those things. And, you know, being a senior leader in industry is the same. If you try to do everything instead of prioritizing and filtering, and figuring out. What's important, you, you just sort of run yourself in circles. And honestly, don't accomplish much. But there's a, there's a stamina that you build at West Point, and it's the same kind of stamina that I think you have to have in industry to be, every 30 minutes somebody's giving you dense, complex information that you need to make a decision about. And then 30 minutes later, it's a completely different topic, and they're doing the same thing. And then it's the next 30 minutes, and it's sort of like you need to train for it, and West Point prepares you for that.”

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Episode Timestamps:

• (00:50) Following the Family Tradition and Decision to Attend West Point
• (03:51) Kathleen’s First Days at West Point
• (08:00) Founding of the Army Women's Lacrosse Team
• (15:24) Leadership Lessons from West Point
• (19:07) Transition to Civilian Career and Leadership in Industry
• (33:09) Advice for Current Cadets

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Links:

Connect with Kathleen

View all of the 2025 Distinguished Graduate Award Nominees