285. Breaking the Director-to-VP Ceiling - Katy McFee

from IDEAS+LEADERS · host Dr Elena Paweta

In episode 285 of the IDEAS+LEADERS Podcast, I’m joined by Katy McFee, executive coach and founder of Insights to Action. After 18 years in biotech and tech, driving nine-figure revenue while repeatedly being passed over, Katy cracked the code, landed a VP role, and was soon recruited as an EVP. Today, she helps high-performing women do the same without burning out or waiting for permission that never comes.We talk about why so many brilliant women stay stuck at Director level, why the issue is rarely skills and almost always perception, and how small, strategic shifts can completely change how leadership sees you.In this episode, we discuss:Why high performers get overlooked despite strong resultsHow perception shapes promotion decisions more than competenceWhat it means to move from invisible to influentia How to advance even when DEI support is missingWhen it’s time to leave the room and find one that fitsTune in for a bold, honest conversation about visibility, power, and stepping into leadership on your own terms.You can connect with Katy here Get Promoted To Executive Leadership - Insights to ActionThank you for joining me on this episode of IDEAS+LEADERS. If you enjoyed this episode, please share, subscribe and review so that more people can enjoy the podcast on Apple https://apple.co/3fKv9IH or Spotify https://sptfy.com/Nrtq.

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This episode was published on February 16, 2026.

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