Welcome back to the Leadership Lab! In today's episode, host Jamie McKinney sits down with the whip-smart and inspiring Katica Roy, a renowned gender economist, former Global 500 executive, and CEO who's making waves on national media and in boardrooms across the country. Katica shares her unique journey, from being the daughter of immigrants and refugees to becoming a LinkedIn Top Voice and one of Colorado's most celebrated entrepreneurs.
Together, Jamie and Katica unpack what it really means to be a gender economist, why equitable systems are not only the right thing to do but a vital economic opportunity, and how recent shifts in the workforce - like the troubling exodus of Black women - are shaping the future of work for everyone. Katica brings clarity to complex topics like intersectionality in workplace data, the pitfalls of rolling back DEI initiatives, and the real economic impact when companies sideline equity.
You'll hear practical stories from Katica about fighting for equal pay, negotiating compensation, and the actionable ways individuals and companies can move the needle on gender equity. Whether you're leading a team, building your own career, or just passionate about building a fairer workplace, this episode is loaded with insights, motivation, and concrete strategies you can put to use immediately. Tune in and get ready to experiment with your leadership style, progress over perfection, every step of the way!
If you enjoyed today’s conversation with Katica Roy, be sure to connect with her online!
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/katicaroy/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/katicaroy/
New York Times front page
Article feature: In Trump’s Federal Work Force Cuts, Black Women Are Among the Hardest Hit
Video Feature: Why Black Women Are Seeing Job Losses
Shareholders of 30 companies worth $13 trillion defeat anti-DEI Proposals
Design Observer Column I mentioned: Why scaling back on equity is more than risky — it’s economically irresponsible
MSBNC: 300,000 Black women have left the labor force in 3 months. It’s not a coincidence.
Fortune: Future CEOs, erased: the economic cost of losing Black women in the workforce
Forbes (this has the Lily Ledbetter story): How My Dad Taught Me To Fight For Equal Pay