Karen Kachele Gottschalk

WORK HISTORY

ABOUT KAREN KACHELE GOTTSCHALK

I was a ballerina for 15 years until one day on stage in a rehearsal I heard something go pop. Not long after that I had to find my next passion. My back was shattered and so was my dream. So I had to figure out what mattered to me and go do that. As a ballerina I learned that repetition leads to mastery, that core strength and competency enables agility, and that a diverse group of talented people leads to better performances and harmonized outcomes. Truly great performances, on the stage or in a business, come from many diverse talents working together to achieve something great. For the last 25 years, first as an executive recruiter and then a consultant and account leader, I’ve helped to change the lives of many people and the performance of many companies. I\'m passionate about helping people and organizations remove obstacles and achieve their goals. As a ballet dancer I was trained to be a beat ahead of the music and I bring that same talent to my clients by advising them about what\'s coming. Because the other thing I learned as a ballerina? Competition is fierce and you have to be ready. I joined Korn Ferry this year because we are the leading voice for talent. We marry science, speed and scale and bring that power to all our clients. I believe in the power of strong inclusive leaders to guide us through unsettling times and the beauty of diverse minds working together. In my role as a Global Account Leader I\'m passionate about helping organizations solve tough business challenges by using my talents for focus, collaboration and vision and agility. I live in Seattle, with my husband, a wobbly cat, and I enjoy exploring the beauty of the PNW. I hung up my point shoes a long time ago but I teach Pilates and love all kinds of fitness and self development activities. In 2010 I co-founded, along with a talented group of professionals, an educational Not-for-Profit, the Pacific Northwest Enterprise Risk Forum, a truly never been done before collaboration. Two years ago I began working with the Boys and Girls Club of King County, where we believe Every Kid Deserves a Great Future. Call me for help, advice or questions: karen.gottschalk@ kornferry.com 20••••••03