Hey, I'm Kat Francis.
I’m a Kiwi-born, Melbourne-based mum of two wonderfully energetic and neurodivergent boys, Patrick and Arthur. As a qualified Leadership Coach, certified by the Australian Institute of Professional Coaches, I draw on more than 20 years of commercial and strategy experience leading high-performing teams at top-tier creative agencies in Australia and New Zealand.
I'm here for the ones with the audacity to want both
These are women who hold big roles and big ambitions — who pour themselves into their careers and their lives outside of them. Who are proud of what they've built, but frustrated by the feeling that they're always being asked to choose.
Everywhere I look, I see brilliant women navigating this tension. Striving to excel in systems that weren't designed for them, while carrying the invisible load that comes with being a woman who refuses to give anything but her best.
Surely there should be a practical handbook for this. A blueprint. A roadmap. There isn't. So I'm building one — with you.
My story
Over the last decade, I focused on leading high-performing teams, driving business growth, and forging strategic partnerships with senior leaders across SMEs and large enterprises spanning a wide range of industries. I loved every minute of my corporate career — but what lit me up most was mentoring emerging female talent, especially women navigating major life and career transitions, like motherhood, career pivots, sideways moves, and forward leaps.
Of all those transitions, motherhood is where I became obsessed. I threw myself into understanding it — the research, the psychology, the workplace data, and the lived experience of women doing it in real time. That's what shaped my expertise and earned me the title I'm most proud of: Australia's Working Mum Expert. Because for as long as I can remember, I've wanted two things: to be a mum and to have a rich, meaningful career.
And while that should be a liberty, not a luxury, I've learnt firsthand that it's anything but easy. After having children, I worked inside a system that demanded more than any one person should give. I was constantly stretching the limits of what I could juggle, achieve, and sustain. Over time, I figured out how to lead, deliver, and keep growing — all while maintaining my own wellbeing. That experience reshaped my view of leadership and gave me the tools and insights to help others do the same.
It sparked a deeper mission:
"To help ambitious women outperform without burning out."
Today, through coaching, I use those hard-earned lessons to help women redefine success on their own terms, reclaim space for themselves, and build careers that truly fit their lives.
The core beliefs that shape my approach
1 / You shouldn't have to choose between ambition and a life well lived.
You can be deeply invested in your career and everything that matters outside of it. And you deserve the support, structure, and strategy to make it sustainable.
2 / You don't need fixing, you need a different framework.
This isn’t about changing who you are; it’s about changing the conditions around you so you can thrive, not just survive.
3 / You can outperform without burning out.
High performance isn’t about pushing harder; it’s about knowing where to focus, when to rest, and how to use your influence wisely.
4 / Your career should serve your life, not the other way around.
You get to decide what success looks like and build a career that honours your values, energy, and ambitions.
5 / Leverage is everything.
Power at work doesn’t come from doing more; it comes from knowing your unique value proposition and using it to shape your terms.
Grace - Creative Lead
"Kat is a natural leader who has helped me build confidence in my career and shown me how to create a more supportive environment for myself and those around me. She guided me through a career-shaping leap and is now supporting me as I work toward the next one in my personal growth."
Talia - Marketing Manager
"Working with Kat has helped me clarify my career and family goals and build a vision for my future that I’m truly excited about. As a coach, Kat brings a rare mix of strategic clarity and emotional intelligence. Her incredible gift for asking the right questions challenged me to expand my thinking and turn complexity into simple, powerful steps."
Jonah - Chief of Staff
"Kat has been a huge source of courage and inspiration. She quickly understood exactly what I needed and provided the strategy and support to take my career to the next level. The sessions and check-ins between them have kept me focused, confident, and motivated. I feel safe, heard, and excited for what’s ahead."