Katherine M. Sauer, known as Katie, is the founder of Burnout Proof Leaders and a passionate advocate for reshaping how leadership is practiced in today’s world. From starting her career as an economics professor to building a leadership development practice rooted in well-being, Katie has dedicated her journey to supporting millennial and Gen Z leaders, entrepreneurs, and changemakers. Her story is one of resilience, clarity, and a commitment to helping others avoid burnout while stepping into their fullest potential. Humans of Fuzia is proud to feature Katie to inspire our community of over 5 million women and allies who believe in lifting each other up—because her vision for authentic leadership is a reminder that thriving and creating impact can go hand in hand.
Q: Katie, can you tell us about the vision behind Burnout Proof Leaders?
Katie: I started Burnout Proof Leaders to serve visionary leaders who are choosing to work outside of traditional systems. For years, I developed leaders within institutions, but I realized those systems weren’t serving the average person anymore. Today, I work with entrepreneurs, philanthropists, writers, artists, coaches, and others who want to create change in a new way—leaders who are ready to chart paths that don’t yet exist.
Q: What makes your approach to leadership development unique?
Katie: We focus on holistic leadership. That means not separating personal well-being from professional leadership. Leadership isn’t just about skills or strategies—it’s also about vitality, intuition, and embodied presence. Too often, we’ve been conditioned to think we should achieve at all costs, but that’s what leads to burnout. Instead, I help leaders integrate who they are with how they lead, so they can thrive without depleting themselves.
Q: You mentioned your upcoming book, Frictionless. What inspired it?
Katie: Frictionless grew out of my own experiences as a high achiever. I’ve met many leaders who, after reaching big milestones, feel oddly empty or unfulfilled. We push ourselves to succeed, but sometimes we’re doing it from a place of external conditioning rather than authentic motivation. My book explores why this happens and how people can shift toward a more natural and meaningful way of achieving—one that doesn’t lead to burnout but instead feels deeply aligned.
Q: How do you bring this work to people—through coaching, programs, or something else?
Katie: Burnout Proof Leaders began as one-on-one coaching, but I soon found myself drawn back to my educator roots. Now, most of what I do happens through group coaching programs, online education, and speaking engagements. Group work allows leaders to connect, learn from each other, and realize they’re not alone in their challenges. That sense of community is really powerful.
Q: Do you set personal or professional goals for the future?
Katie: I don’t set goals in the traditional sense. I follow what lights me up and let projects take shape from there. For instance, I’m writing a book—that’s not a “goal” as much as something I feel called to complete. For me, it’s less about hitting markers and more about staying aligned with my intuition and curiosity.
Q: What challenges have you faced on this journey?
Katie: I don’t really frame things as challenges. I once wrote my dissertation while struggling with depression and insomnia, and that taught me that life has ups and downs, but focusing on the obstacles doesn’t help. It’s a bit like hiking in the mountains here in Colorado—you know the hike will be challenging, but you don’t dwell on that. You prepare, you gear up, and you just do it. That’s how I see my work and life too.
Q: What message would you like to share with our global community?
Katie: The more you can trust your intuition and inner compass, the smoother life becomes. There’s always noise from outside—expectations, pressures, advice—but deep down, you already know the path that’s right for you. Learning to access and trust that inner guidance will never steer you wrong.
“On a deep level, you already know your path. The more you trust your intuition, the more meaningful and frictionless your journey will be.” — Katherine M. Sauer
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