Katherine Gokavi-Whaley
Katherine Gokavi-Whaley is the heart and visionary behind SheLeads Coaching and Mentoring, dedicating herself to empowering women to lead with authenticity, resilience, and purpose. With over 30 years of leadership experience across corporate, startups, scale-ups, SMEs, and the not-for-profit sector, Katherine has always placed people at the centre of every role she’s held. From driving growth as COO at Yume Foods—where she managed a diverse team of 15 (80% female) and helped commercialise the innovative technology—to strengthening community support as CEO at Feed Appeal, her commitment to developing and supporting those around her has been a guiding force.
Katherine has mentored dozens of professionals at various stages of their careers, leading small teams and large, geographically dispersed teams of over 600 people. Her passion for helping others grow has been the foundation of her journey and energizes her every day. What gets her out of bed each morning is the opportunity to help individuals gain skills and confidence—watching them soar and achieve amazing things they never thought possible. This connection and shared journey fuel her work and drive the mission of SheLeads Coaching.
As a true believer in the uniqueness of women’s career paths, Katherine advocates for Leading Like a Woman—embracing the power of authenticity, empathy, tenacity, and strength. She understands that the path to leadership and success is unique to each person and that real leadership comes from within. Through SheLeads, she offers a mentoring style that is warm, compassionate, and deeply personal. Katherine doesn't impose a strict formula; instead, she listens, understands, and tailors her coaching to each individual’s strengths, goals, and circumstances. Her style is a partnership—a journey walked together—where setbacks are seen as stepping stones to even greater achievements.
Katherine's entrepreneurial spirit is complemented by her successful greenfields start-up and management of multiple of her own businesses, providing her with a unique blend of business acumen and psychological insight, grounded in her background in psychology. Her approach combines deep understanding with practical wisdom, helping women navigate both professional and personal challenges.
She has worked with larger enterprise partners such as Unilever and Kellogg's at Yume Foods and built international partnerships in China and Southeast Asia at Aussie Farmers Direct. Katherine has also earned recognition as a scholarship recipient of The January Program, a global leadership forum run by Common Purpose.
With two daughters, Katherine is acutely aware of the legacy she wants to leave. She is passionate about shaping a future where women’s voices are celebrated in leadership, recognizing and valuing the strengths and unique attributes of female leaders. SheLeads Coaching is her way of being part of this change—empowering women to navigate the evolving tensions between career, life, and self with confidence and balance.
Katherine believes that real courage is essential for true change—where leading like a woman is something to be proud of, and rather than breaking through a glass ceiling, we create an environment where no glass ceiling exists. Her commitment to real equality is woven into the fabric of her mentoring philosophy.
Katherine’s mentoring goes beyond career advice. It’s about real, internal work—helping women find their centre, lead from within, and embrace the twists and turns of their journey. Whether you’re progressing in your career, transitioning into leadership, or balancing the demands of work and family, Katherine’s approach is grounded in lived experience and heartfelt guidance, ensuring you thrive through every stage of life.
“Life is not a straight line but a journey with twists and turns, where setbacks are stepping stones to greater achievements.”
— Katherine Gokavi-Whaley
