Katy Hansell

Katy (MacKinnon) Hansell is a globally recognized, award-winning expert coach and strategic advisor who has guided 500+ relationship clients to fully unlock their potential and achieve the results they seek over 25 years and across three continents. Known as “The Impact Whisperer” ™, Katy helps individuals and organizations identify and achieve the impact they care about for the people, causes, and communities that have captured their hearts. Katy’s global recognitions include: “Global 100: The Legacy Makers” and “Global Professional Development Leader of the Year (2025)” by Forttuna Global Excellence. “Global Top 10 Coach Pioneering Growth and Empowerment” by Vogue Daily, “Global Top 15 Visionary Entrepreneur” by Think 7 Figures: The Millionaire Mindset, “Global Top 15 Expert Turning Passion to Life-Changing Impact” by The American Reporter, “Top Women’s Empowerment Coach” by Coach Foundation, “Top 15 Executive Coaches in Chicago” by Influence Digest +, “Top Executive Coach” by Coach Foundation, and “Most Powerful Woman” by JWC Media/ Sheridan Road magazine. Through her company Katy Hansell Impact Partners, Katy offers three types of coaching (career strategy and career transition, executive leadership, and high performance) to high impact leaders at every career stage and in most industries. Her clients praise her ability to help them clear their roadblocks and take decisive action to accelerate their career progress. She helps leaders create continuous learning cultures, adapt to disruption, and manage high performing teams. In addition to coaching, Katy also offers strategic advisory services to first time founders who are looking for guidance to accelerate their progress to an MVP (“Minimum Viable Product”) that attracts investment, strategic partners, and “rabid fan” users. Clients also value Katy’s direct experience as a founder, a Board member (Kellogg Alumni Council, Duke University Career Services Task Force, United Planet, TWIN The World’s Innovation Network), a director of strategy (Bayer AG), a global management strategy consultant (The Boston Consulting Group (BCG)), and a commercial banker (The Northern Trust Company). She knows firsthand what it takes to get a seat at the table and be an impactful leader in these varied environments. Making IMPACT is Katy’s jam! Her approach is based on her belief that every second of every day we are making an impact, but is it the one we choose? When we look back on our life, what will matter most is those impactful moments we shared with the people, communities, and causes that we care most about. Katy offers the blueprint to help people figure out what matters most, the tools to achieve it, and the inspiration to sustain their impact over time. Unlike many coaches, Katy works with talent at every stage. This unique element of her work means that Katy knows what it takes at each stage to get to the next one and she is current on how the global talent landscape is evolving. She is certified and credentialed in many coaching modalities, including as an ICF PCC (International Coaching Federation Professional Certified Coach), CTI CPCC (Coach Training Institute Co-Active Professional Coach), and HPI CHPC (High Performance Institute Certified High Performance Coach). Katy is based in Chicago and is the proud parent of three sons, Charlie, Malcolm, and Robert. She is always up for a cup of coffee and a chat, a game of tennis, ping pong, or watching a thriller on Britbox.