Kathryn D Leary - Consultant Strategist and Thought Leader

Kathryn D. Leary is a writer, marketing and public relations consultant and former President & CEO of the Leary Group Inc., which specialized in international marketing and communications, trade development and executive training programs for global success.

As a strategic market entry specialist, she successfully guided numerous companies into the markets of Japan and South Africa, ranging from Estee Lauder to Ben & Jerry's Homemade Ice Cream. Kathryn recently served as special projects and communications coordinator for ESSENCE Magazine Editorial Director, Susan L. Taylor. There, she directed the launch of the first national African American Women's Political Action Committee, coordinated a fundraiser and New York outreach event for California Congresswoman Barbara Lee and interfaced with numerous civic and political leaders.

Kathryn frequently served as a lecturer on the topics of developing a global perspective, creating competitive business and communications strategies in the international marketplace, and preparing executives for success in global business. Internationally, Kathryn has presented lectures extensively for the United States Information Service, the Keidanren in Tokyo, International Women in Communications and the Japan Stanford Association, among others. Her success in the international marketplace has been documented in publications including The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, USA Today, The Associated Press, Crain's New York Business, Selling Power Magazine, The Japan Times, Black Enterprise, Essence and JET. In August 1999, Kathryn appeared on the cover of Black Enterprise magazine, which featured her work in global markets. She was a guest of President Clinton at his 1993 inauguration and his dedication of the Ronald H. Brown Commercial Center in Johannesburg, South Africa in 1998.