Cathy Brooks

Summary

I am an ex-journalist and Medill-trained storyteller who applies reporting rigor to corporate communication and executive leadership. Over a three-decade career, I have transitioned from the PR trenches at Porter Novelli and Xerox PARC to building an award-winning business from scratch, and now, advising global leaders on how to articulate their vision. My approach is unconventional but proven: I’ve used canine behavioral metaphors to help the Richmond Symphony reduce union friction and improve collaboration by 80%, and I’ve coached over 1,100 hours with a 100% success rate in helping executives achieve six-month pivots. I specialize in turning abstract corporate vision into clear, actionable narratives that drive market position. Whether I’m ghostwriting white papers for Intel and Nokia, booking high-profile guests like Steve Wozniak for TechTV, or partnering with visionaries like the late Tony Hsieh on community development, my focus is on high-stakes execution without the corporate posturing. I build the narrative arcs—through podcasts, traditional media, and strategic messaging—that connect brand promises with human needs. If you are looking for a partner to manage conflict, lead creative teams, or translate complex products into stories that command attention, I bring the veteran perspective of an entrepreneur and the sharp eye of a reporter.

Expertise

Experience

• Executive Leadership & Communication Advisor

  Sept 2021 – Present

  Unleashed Leadership, LLC · Remote / Various

  Delivering executive coaching and narrative strategy for entrepreneurs and leadership teams.

  • Delivered 1,100+ hours of executive coaching with a 100% success rate in client pivots within 6 months.
  • Improved Richmond Symphony collaboration by 80% through specialized leadership workshops.
  • Designed 'Voice of Leadership' curriculum using behavioral metaphors to fix executive communication.

• Founder & CEO

  Jan 2013 – Jan 2023

  The Hydrant Club · Las Vegas, NV

  Built and scaled an award-winning leadership and dog training facility.

  • Scaled to max capacity within 2 years with less than 10% staff attrition.
  • Maintained zero layoffs during the pandemic and an unprecedented zero-incident safety record over 10 years.
  • Partnered with Zappos CEO Tony Hsieh on community development and executive collaboration.

• Storytelling Strategist & Communications Consultant

  Dec 2008 – Dec 2012

  Other Than That Consulting · San Francisco, CA

  Strategic communications for Fortune 500 companies and high-growth startups.

  • Facilitated 100+ workshops on brand narrative and executive communication.
  • Directed influencer programs for Intel, Nokia, and Better Homes & Gardens Real Estate.
  • Advised Israeli tech entrepreneurs including founders of Waze on market positioning.

• Strategic Communications & Business Development

  1992 – 2008

  Porter Novelli / TechTV / Remedy Corp · San Francisco, CA

  Leadership roles in PR agency and technology media.

  • Built the guest booking department for TechTV, securing guests like Steve Wozniak and Andy Grove.
  • Expanded revenue for Porter Novelli SF as VP of Business Development.
  • Curated and moderated global tech conferences including SXSW and LeWeb.

Education

• Northwestern University · Bachelors, The Medill School of Journalism
• Duke University · Certification, Canine Cognition and Behavior