
Katy’s interest in the brain, flourishing, and leadership began in high-pressure environments early in her career, where she saw how relationships, mindsets, and character shape whether people struggle or thrive. After serving in the British Army in Iraq, Europe, and the United States, she moved into school leadership roles focused on performance and development, and later completed a Doctorate at Oxford University exploring leadership and flourishing. She is now a Deputy Head at Wellington College, teaches at Oxford University, is a Senior Fellow of the Flourishing Network, hosted by the Human Flourishing Program at Harvard.
Katy co-founded a global youth leadership movement now active in over 100 countries and works internationally at the intersection of flourishing and wellbeing science, education, and leadership. Through her writing and teaching, she translates research into practical ways adults can help young people and teams to grow in character and flourish. Katy is co-author of ‘Leader. Know, Love, and Inspire Your People’ (Crown House); ‘Growing Minds. The Science of Raising Thriving Teens (Crown House); and co-editor of ‘Leadership for Flourishing’ (Oxford University Press). A former GB synchronised swimmer, current GB age-group triathlete and lover of skiing, mountain biking, and ballet, she is driven by a simple question: how do we create the conditions for people—and their brains—to thrive?