Kate Hendershott

Authentic Fractional CMO™

Kate Hendershott has significant bench strength in marketing and brand strategy across multiple industries and in rapidly-changing, omnichannel environments. Her experience as both an in-house CMO and as a consultant positions her to serve clients with a clear understanding of what it takes to collaborate and deliver focused, strategic direction.

Meet Kate

Hi! Nice to meet you. I’ve been a sales and marketing leader for more than 30 years working with cross-functional teams to strengthen the organization’s marketing and brand strategy. Much of my work has focused on transformational change to quickly ramp-up growth. Working in collaboration with the executive and marketing team, I complete the foundational marketing components as well as identify opportunities to move forward faster in a more strategic way.

My core strength (or so I’ve been told) is to keep everyone focused on the “why” instead of getting embroiled in the daily details of the “what,” and I make it fun. I can stay focused on the goal even when there is a lot of swirl across departments.

CliftonStrengths
Top Five

AchieverDisciplineRelatorArrangerIndividualization

KEY AREAS OF EXPERTISE

Branding & MessagingCRMDigital MarketingEcommerceGo-To-Market StrategyKPIs & MetricsLead GenerationManagement & MentorshipMarketing Budgets & ROIPublic RelationsResearchSales AlignmentSocial Media

LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE

Revenue Models

Business-to-Business (B2B)Business-to-Consumer (B2C)Distribution / NetworkEcommerceDoer-Seller

Industries

Professional Services / ConsultingFinance / Banking / InsuranceEngineering / Architecture / ConstructionManufacturing / DistributionReal EstateTelecommunicationsRetail / CommerceEducationNon-Profit / Associations / Membership

Scenarios

Startup / Early StageTurn-AroundFamily BusinessSmall and Mid-SizedLarge NationalGlobal EnterprisePrivately Owned

Revenue Models

Business-to-Business (B2B)Business-to-Consumer (B2C)Distribution / NetworkEcommerceDoer-Seller

Industries

Professional Services / ConsultingFinance / Banking / InsuranceEngineering / Architecture / ConstructionManufacturing / DistributionReal EstateTelecommunicationsRetail / CommerceEducationNon-Profit / Associations / Membership

Scenarios

Startup / Early StageTurn-AroundFamily BusinessSmall and Mid-SizedLarge NationalGlobal EnterprisePrivately Owned

LEADERSHIP IMPACT

  • Implemented a successful brand launch within 12 months to 3000 financial service professionals and 18 Business Partners for a Fortune 500 company.
  • Managed a successful brand awareness multimillion-dollar media campaign which resulted in an increase of 15% in aided brand awareness within 18 months.
  • Implemented an omni-channel marketing strategy resulting in monthly sales of $60,000 for a start-up product company with just a small investment in social platforms and Amazon.
  • Developed a successful marketing strategy to create brand awareness to major healthcare organizations becoming a master-spec product line for two of the largest US healthcare organizations.
  • Transitioned 16 auto dealerships and 8 ancillary businesses from 90% traditional advertising to 80% digital resulting in increased marketshare and recognized by Facebook as “business of the year.”
  • With a cohort of other turnaround consultants, achieved aggressive growth goals for 30+ companies to bring best of class marketing solutions to a diverse client base in need of corporate renewal. 110% average EBITDA increase for all engagements.
  • Successfully helped US Bank sell off their troubled real estate portfolio to a private investor.

HONORS & ACCOLADES

  • For four consecutive years, was the senior consultant who worked with a multi-functional team who received the “Turnaround of the Year Award”.
  • Honored by Facebook as the “business of the year award” in the automobile industry.

THOUGHT LEADERSHIP

  • Strategic Marketing - University of Minnesota - Carlson School of Management
  • Presenter - Strategic Planning/The Owner’s Institute
  • Speaker - Marketing Strategies: Home Builders’ Associations
  • Advisor - The American College, Financial Institution Ethics
  • Presenter – Profitable Top Line Growth/Manchester Seminars
  • Guest Presenter - U of MN Carlson School, Marketing Department, Strategic Marketing
  • Blog - Focus or Flounder. When to say “yes” and when to say “no” to meet growth goals
  • White papers - “Nobody Really Wants What You Have to Sell”, “Marketing from the Outside In” & “Two Steps out of Your Comfort Zone can Result in New Growth”

BOARDS & COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP

  • Board of Directors / Bolder Options
  • Business Strategist for EMERGE / Furnish Office and Home
  • Entrepreneurial Coach / St. Thomas University
  • Associate Professor / U of Minnesota Marketing Department
  • Volunteer Business Coach / Dress for Success
  • Board of Directors / VIsionpoint
  • Numerous volunteering for Humane Society, Unhoused and Immigration causes

TESTIMONIALS

ON A PERSONAL NOTE...

I have a husband and two adult children and two grandchildren of whom I am very proud. We love to prepare and eat meals together and have healthy discussions around hot topics – all with very different perspectives!

I am a fervent volunteer with a love for all things furry and a passion to really get to know unhoused individuals. Our family has not only sponsored but also hosted several immigrant families – some stays for up to two years. This experience was richly rewarding to us; and one of the Bosnian teenage boys has stayed in our lives for over 20 years.

Every evening I read nonfiction (but not business!) books to end the day and to better understand more about the lives of those around us.