Coaching for the Shift from Doer to Leader
You've built a career on strong execution—knowing the answer, jumping in, getting it done. But you’re transitioning into new levels of leadership, and success looks different. Now, you're expected to:
Advise a leadership team on the best course of action
Empower someone greener to take the lead
Influence peers without formal authority
Push back (strategically) on executive decisions
Hold external partners to high standards
Create space for conflict—without losing your cool or your voice
Develop your own clarity on the next right thing - for your business and your career.
That shift can be uncomfortable. And it can also be the path to extraordinary growth—for you, your team, and your business.
Photo by Brittney Strange on Unsplash
What Coaching Looks Like
This coaching is for marketing and communications middle managers and leaders who want to take control of their presence and career. They want to lead with clarity, confidence, and integrity—without the burnout or second-guessing.
Here's how we'll work:
Client-led sessions: You bring what's top of mind, and we work from there
Progress over perfection: We'll focus on insight, alignment, and small but powerful actions
Big picture thinking and options: With a thought partner and coach, you can put all your ideas and thinking on the table and even consider new ones. Then, you can take time to see what you really think and feel about your opportunities and situation and decide how you want to mov forward. You can develop your own clarity on the next right step or best approach FOR YOU.
Warm accountability: I'll ask thoughtful questions that help you spot blind spots and move forward
So much of what gets in our way are old habits—ones that kept us safe but no longer serve us. Coaching helps you recognize the internal voices holding you back, and amplify the ones that move you forward. Because there's no one "right" way to be a leader—just your way, done well.
“I’m so glad I found Katie! Throughout our sessions, she’s asked questions and provided exercises that helped me gain clarity on how I wanted to transition into the next stage of my career and the steps I’d have to take to get there with confidence. ”
Why Work with Katie?
I've spent 25 years leading in this space.
From advising CEOs to managing teams, from brand crises to campaign launches—I've sat in the same rooms, navigated the same dynamics, and lived the same tensions.
That means:
I understand your world, and won't need a crash course in your context
I can ask sharper questions and reflect more useful patterns
I'll never confuse "marketing work" with "marketing leadership"—and I know the difference matters
“Katie is organized, concise, and delivers what she says she will. She helped us launch our marketing strategy—and it was the best investment we made. I’m keeping her on as a marketing coach to stay aligned with trends and goals.”
A Limited-Time Offer
I'm currently completing my certification with the International Coaching Federation (ICF), and I'm focused on deepening my practice with real leaders navigating real challenges.
Right now, I'm offering:
One gifted session for marketing or comms leaders
A 3-session package for $400 (if we're a good fit)
Whether this is for you or someone on your team, let's talk.
What Clients Say
“Anyone who works with Katie will be the better for it.”
Group coaching and facilitating in a strategic planning workshop for solopreneurs. The in-home setting made everyone feel comfortable from the get-go.
About Katie Walter
Katie Walter is an executive coach and the founder of Trellis LLC. She's also the CEO of the Fractional Conference and a marketing consultant with 25 years of experience in B2B marketing and communications—from Fortune 500s like Thomson Reuters to SaaS startups and boutique firms.
Katie brings deep insight into the pressures, personalities, and pivots that come with leading in marketing and communications. Her coaching combines real-world expertise with a deep respect for each client's unique goals, strengths, and leadership style.
She lives in St. Paul with her husband, two kids, and their dog. She loves to hike, garden, and kayak—and named Trellis after the idea that great support helps everything grow stronger.
“Katie’s coaching has helped me give myself permission to be human in my pursuit of excellence. She knows when to hold me accountable and when to model empathy. She also asks questions that help me see the limiting beliefs I place on myself and others without making me feel bad for having those beliefs in the first place. I would not have grown so rapidly without her guidance over the past few years.”