Kathleen Crandall is a global expert in personal branding and impact, an executive coach to leaders in transition, a keynote speaker, and facilitator of learning experiences in corporate and academic environments. She is the founder of Know My Impact and creator of the IMPACT Personal Brand Experience™ process, which has made a difference for more than 30,000 people in the past 20 years. Her clients include corporate and non-profit leaders and executives, board members, high-profile influencers, public and keynote speakers, Ted Talkers, college graduates, and young professionals wanting to make an impact early in their career.
Kathleen leverages 30 years of experience building corporate, product, and people brands in global businesses and as a leader in one of the top international public relations firms.
Kathleen has served as an adjunct facilitator for the Wharton School Executive Education Program Women on Boards: Building Exceptional Leaders since 2021. She has served as an adjunct facilitator for local non-profit executive dislocated worker programs since 2009.
Hello, I’m Kathleen Crandall, founder of Know My Impact. Everyone has a “why” behind major life changes and transitions.
Here’s mine:
I spent the first 20 years of my career crawling up the ladder in public relations and advertising, despite the little warning signs that said, “this is not my dream role nor the ideal culture or environment in which I thrive.” I knew there was something better, but it was just too easy to stay.
I finally experienced a series of unfortunate events. I was diagnosed with two inoperable brain tumors and given a scary prognosis, hard to fathom as a single mother of two toddlers.
A life-saving treatment at Mayo Clinic gave me an unexpected second chance, and the adventure we went on led me to the most magical future I could ever imagine.
I left my role as Senior Vice President of the world’s largest, most respected PR agency after the surgery to heal. What I didn’t expect was the devastating loss of my identity when I left my title behind. Senior Vice President was my identity. I worked 20 years to get there. And I knew I’d never return.
How do you start a new career, a new life in your mid-forties when everything you knew and accomplished was no longer an option? I lost so much during that time – my home, most of the “things” in my home, and the sense of security my young children and I clung to during and after the diagnosis.
But all of this had to happen to end up where I am today – helping other people detach from their job title and recognize that their identity is not their job title.
I bring personal brands to life. I literally help bring people to life when they really understand what their brand is, leverage it to get what they desire, and bring it to life (and to their life) intentionally, mindfully.
In truth, every person already has a “brand.” You’ve been building your brand over time with every word, every action, and every impact you make on other people and in business. The question is, “What happens because of you?” “What do you want your impact to be?”
Some people need a brand “refresh.” Some need to take a hard left- or right-hand turn – jump off the track – burn the boat – take a new path. Some need a mirror put in front of them to see what others experience and permission to shine a brighter light on their impact.
I help people know and leverage their brand and impact and bring it to life through their brand image, their brand voice, and the experience they deliver every minute of every day at work and in life.
I am living the dream. You can too.
