Strong leaders often agree on the goal yet struggle to move forward together. Kate Zappitelli helps leadership teams turn agreement into alignment so strategy becomes action.

As Chair of the Alignment Institute® and a Principal and HOW Activator at Karrikins Group, Kate partners with executives worldwide to build clarity, connection, commitment, and courage. She helps teams clarify priorities, navigate tradeoffs, and translate complex strategy into shared understanding and practical ways of working.

Known for surfacing the conversations leaders avoid, Kate brings a steady, thoughtful presence to challenging discussions. Through her work with the Alignment Institute®, she equips leaders with the skills and shared language to sustain alignment beyond a workshop or offsite. She believes alignment takes the courage to say what others are thinking and the discipline to turn strategy into everyday leadership behavior.

Kate received Karrikins Group’s Level Up Award in 2019 for her commitment to her own development and helping others thrive. In 2024, she was a finalist in the Stevie® Awards for Female Employee of the Year.

For more than 20 years, Kate has supported mission-driven organizations, including using theater-based experiences to engage people in difficult conversations. She led the University of Colorado Anschutz Inclusivity Alliance, which received the Rosa Parks Diversity Award during her tenure, and served as Board Co-Chair of Envision:You.

Kate is a Certified Professional Co-Active Coach (CPCC) and an Associate Certified Coach (ACC) with the International Coaching Federation. She holds a master’s degree from New York University and lives in Denver with her family.