Katie McBride - Communication Leader & Strategist | LHH C-Suite Advisor | Catapult-Careers Founder & Coach

Communication Leader & Strategist | LHH C-Suite Advisor | Catapult-Careers Founder & Coach

Ruhi Ladwa #GirlPowerUnleashed in Conversation with Katie McBride

Ruhi Ladwa:

Hi everyone, and welcome to the Girl Power Unleashed Podcast! I'm so excited to have you with us today. I'm here with the amazing Katie McBride. Katie, thank you so much for joining us.

Katie McBride:

It’s my pleasure, Ruhi. It’s truly an honor to talk with you. I really admire your leadership, and I’ve learned so much from your podcast by listening to the inspiring women you've featured. So thank you for that.

Ruhi Ladwa:

Thank you, that means a lot! To start us off—tell us about your journey so far.

Katie McBride:

Absolutely. I grew up in a small town, and believe it or not, my very first time on a plane was for my interview with General Motors. I started out as an intern at GM right out of school—and I never looked back. I spent 33 years in corporate communications, supporting almost every area of the business in various global leadership roles.

In 2016, I transitioned out of GM and now run my own communications consulting business. I also work as an executive coach for senior leaders who are in transition or looking for new opportunities. I'm married and have two adult children who live and work in Chicago. Faith is a big part of my life—it really shapes how I view the world.

Ruhi Ladwa:

That’s amazing. What are some of the most interesting things you're working on right now, and how do they empower women?

Katie McBride:

I'm really grateful for the women who believed in me early in my career. I came into GM with no real corporate background and no connections—just a lot of hope and grit. So now, it’s a blessing to be able to support others on their journeys.

I work with LHH, a human capital company, through their International Center for Executive Options, where I coach senior executives—many of them women. I help them define what differentiates them as leaders and how to apply their skills in new ways. I’m also a limited partner in the Belle Impact Fund, which invests in women-owned businesses. It’s incredibly inspiring to meet women with big ideas and the courage to pursue them.

Another initiative I love is the Greater Detroit Policy Circle. It's a group of women who regularly discuss societal issues like mental health or immigration. We intentionally bring in diverse perspectives to listen and learn from each other. I also mentor college students and young professionals—many of whom are women—and a lot of my consulting clients are women as well. I truly enjoy getting to work alongside so many talented, driven women.

Ruhi Ladwa:

That’s fantastic. What obstacles have you had to overcome? Any lessons you’d like to share?

Katie McBride:

Definitely. Early in my leadership journey at GM, I was often the only woman in the room—and usually the youngest. Many of my colleagues were old enough to be my dad! I struggled with imposter syndrome, constantly feeling like I didn’t belong. But I learned that I did have something to contribute, and I earned their trust over time.

One funny story—when I got my first executive role, I soon found out I was pregnant with my first child. I was leading communications for GM’s Powertrain group, which is extremely technical—engines, transmissions, all that. Honestly, I sat in meetings and often didn’t even know what people were talking about. It felt like another language. So I made a promise to myself during maternity leave: I’d study and come back fully prepared. I bought a textbook, downloaded technical videos... but as any new parent knows, I barely had time to sleep, let alone study!

When I returned, I felt defeated. I humbled myself and went to the head of Powertrain Engineering—a man much older than me—and I confessed: “Tom, I often don’t understand what’s being discussed in our meetings.”And you know what? He just smiled and said, “Katie, most of those guys don’t either. I’ll help you.” He got me and my team a coach. We did engine tear-downs, hands-on learning—it was transformative. That experience taught me the power of vulnerability and the importance of asking for help.

Another challenge I faced was perfectionism. I used to think everything had to be perfect. But as I progressed, I realized I had to prioritize, delegate, and focus on what truly mattered. It was a tough but necessary lesson.

Ruhi Ladwa:

I love that story—it’s so real. What would you say are your secrets to success? Any key traits or habits?

Katie McBride:

I’d say three things: First—hard work. I always put in the effort to try to make a difference. Second—initiative. I worked in manufacturing for much of my career, which isn’t always the most glamorous part of the business. But I loved the complexity and the challenge, and I often took roles that others didn’t want. That willingness to step up really paid off.Third—relationships and trust. I believe life is a team sport—at work and at home. Building strong, authentic relationships helped me succeed. Early on, I even worked a few shifts on the assembly line to understand the people I was communicating with. That helped me build trust, and those relationships supported me throughout my career.

Ruhi Ladwa:

That’s incredible advice. To wrap up—what would you say to girls who aspire to become tomorrow’s leaders?

Katie McBride:

First, remember: life is a team sport. Choose wisely—your friends, your jobs, your spouse. Having a partner who supports your career makes a huge difference. My husband and I always approached our lives as a partnership—sometimes his career came first, sometimes mine did, but we always put our kids first.

Second—put people first. From my experience, the order of priority should be: employees, customers, then shareholders. If you support your employees, they’ll take care of the customers. And if you have happy customers, shareholders will benefit. I’m a big believer in servant leadership—creating an environment where people can thrive is key.

And finally—build resilience. What seems like a setback can lead to something better. I’ll share a story: after graduating, I was offered a paid internship with a small company. The day after graduation, I got a call—they had to give the role to the boss’s nephew. I was crushed.

But that same woman who had to let me go made some calls and connected me to someone at GM. That’s how I landed the internship that launched my entire career. I’m still in touch with her, and I’m forever grateful. Sometimes, the closed door leads you to the right one.

Ruhi Ladwa:

Wow, what an incredible journey. Katie, thank you so much for sharing your story and your wisdom with us today. I’m sure our listeners will take away something truly valuable.

Katie McBride:

Thank you, Ruhi. It’s been such a pleasure to talk with you.

Ruhi Ladwa:

Thank you so much! Bye!