Meet Katie Shannon-Executive Coach to Entrepreneurs and Artists

Today we’d like to introduce you to Katie Shannon.

Hi Katie, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My profession chose me at ten years old.

As a child, I was nominated by my class to be a peer mediator and trained in facilitation and conflict resolution. I learned to read energy and body language, to sense how open or closed someone felt based on whether their arms were crossed or open.

Rooted in memorization and a lack of curiosity, school and traditional learning in the ’90s zapped my creativity and desire to learn. But studying people and yearning to connect while also being terrified to be fully seen defined my childhood. I found solace in learning how to give myself to others to be accepted and loved, often in a transactional way.

I became a Rockstar in high-end hospitality, working in event sales and production for brands such as Capella Hotel Group, InterContinental, and Four Seasons Hotels. There, I channeled my creative energy into designing experiences that connected people through every intentional detail. Working with the most iconic teams within the Four Seasons brand, I learned how to maximize each individual’s talent to create an orchestra of excellence.

Before founding my executive coaching practice in 2020, I also worked for the family office of Kevin Plank, Chairman and CEO of Under Armour, where I launched Sagamore South, a private estate, known at the time as one of the crown jewels of Georgetown. It became a place where leaders across sports, entertainment, business, and politics gathered for curated experiences that represented a reverence of Washington D.C history and a bold future.

Through letting go of who I thought the world needed me to be and returning home to myself — I began to reconnect with my own roots as a ten year old facilitator. I craved to be of service and offer entrepreneurs and artists a way to let go of their dysfunction and expand their leadership, and amplify their raw magnetism as business owners. Yes, creatives, you are business owners too!

Through my coaching, I teach founders and artists how to perform open-heart surgery on their business without anesthesia. This approach of continuous layers of deeper intimacy allows for minimal blood loss during the inevitable challenges of leading and being part of a team.

Drawing from my background in luxury hospitality, I weave intentional creative design into the architecture of every coaching experience — whether working with individuals, leadership teams, or through my MASTERMIND process, which includes an in-person retreat. Blending slow-building intimacy with strategic clarity creates a sturdy foundation for executive teams to unleash their most feral ambition.

So far, I’ve had the privilege of coaching a New York Times bestselling author through launching her own imprint and anthology model, a CFO/co-founder through a $4.1 billion acquisition of his startup, and a creative agency that doubled its net revenue in just one year.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Smooth road? I would like to meet someone who has experienced a lack of struggles in life school.

I have allowed myself to enter abusive relationships, work environments and have historically gotten lit up like a Christmas tree by leaning into negative judgmental thoughts. I have abused people, relationships, money and withheld my raw innate talent to create a false sense of safety in the outer world.

I have navigated years of recovery from process addictions that all point to the belief that depriving myself and putting someone else first will create safety and stability for me.

We’ve been impressed with Katie Shannon Leadership Development and Facilitation, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I am an executive leadership coach and facilitator who helps high-performing leaders transform their presence in business and life. I have guided founders through multi-billion-dollar acquisitions, helped executive teams double revenue and headcount in a year, and supported New York Times Bestselling authors in expanding their reach by establishing their own publishing imprint.

I thrives at the intersections. Where boardroom strategy meets creative expression. I have guided leaders from wealth management, venture capital, and renewable energy boardrooms to the backstage of the music business guiding artists and managers of Grammy award-winning artists out of their dysfunction and into their power.

I am most proud of the diversity of clients I have had the privilege to work with as it has kept me sharp and continuously learning. While the common thread is high ambition, I appreciate that I can cross pollinate through different industries.

Clients work with me through my signature Mastermind process, team facilitation, and one-on-one coaching. I have also led workshops at the Kellogg School of Management’s Venture Capital Club and recognized for building communities rooted in courage, creativity, and connection.

Based in Los Angeles, I work with leaders across the U.S. and globally to design audacious lives and legacies.

Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
I’d like to ask you a question: What are you pretending not to know about your life and your career right now? Write about it, find me on socials, and share what came up.

Pricing:

• $10K-$20K for 3 months-6 months of one-on-one coaching

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.katieshannon.co
• Instagram: @Iamkatieshannon
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katieshannon84
• Other: https://substack.com/@katieshannon

Image Credits
Sarah Sido (for all photos except last action shot)