Katy Gagne, Business Development Director
Katy has over twenty years of experience in corporate finance roles, leading organizational success through FP&A development, M&A transactions, financial systems implementation & project management, and sales operations. She has sat in both the seat of the hiring manager, the consultant, and now as the link that brings the two together! Katy has seen success because of her drive to understand and accelerate an organization’s growth model, whether it be financial, or mission based. She takes the time to understand the leadership’s direction and has an innate ability to bring the puzzle pieces together for success. Katy’s strong finance background, professional network, and people skills will help Scouts Talent keep up with client demand.
If you could try a different job for a day, what would you choose?
It would be amazing to be a personal trainer – get paid to work out and without the time crunch and help people realize health goals that impact their life!
What advice would you give someone starting out in your industry?
Some of your best friends in life will be from your professional career – the jobs will change, but the people will not. Work with honesty and integrity first, technical ability second – focus on the positive and laugh as often as possible.
What is your mantra?
It’s very rarely an inappropriate time to make a joke. “Go for the laugh.”
How do you get yourself out of a slump?
Yoga. I am an avid yogi and do daily yoga and meditation practices – it helps keep me in the moment and living for the present.
What companies or leaders do you admire?
I always admire successful leaders of companies that came from the finance ranks; I believe to be a truly effective leader, you have to have intrinsic knowledge of the financials and the correlating effect in the operations – so you either grew up in finance, or you have a great finance professional sitting right beside you! I admire those that understand that and succeed because they have incorporated that aspect into their leadership style.
What has been the biggest shift you’ve noticed in your industry in the last decade?
The decline in talent is enormous; the number of professionals leaving the industry in retirement far surpasses the incoming generation. As a staple in every business, the finance departments continue to struggle to find the right/enough professionals to run optimally.
Who has been most instrumental in your career?
To name just one individual is difficult – it would be a combination of some of the most amazing finance leaders in the Twin Cities area, as well as a few sales leaders that have blown me away. I learned from these individuals that staying calm in the face of adversity and turmoil can be the most powerful tool to lead your group through the storm. Have the ability to think clearly, but quickly, to execute and pivot when necessary.
What is your go-to celebration meal, drink, or tradition?
Easy – Cold Stone’s peanut butter and chocolate ice cream creations! Really any combo of peanut butter and chocolate does the trick for me and my family.
