You told us you want to know more about the people behind your projects. You got it. This is the 12th profile in that series.
Name
Kate Washut
Title
Partner
How do you help clients?
I build a cohesive team and create an environment that allows them to do their jobs to the best of their ability.
What led you to here?
Shortly after I started my previous job, Jason Nissen—a co-worker at the time and a business partner now—began talking about starting a business. Nine years later, we actually did it.
Tell us about your background or training.
I have a bachelor’s degree in psychology and one in MIS. I spent about 12 years as a developer before acknowledging the fact that I couldn’t effectively run a 16-person business and be a developer at the same time, even with the help of four partners.
What is your work mantra?
Don’t let fear stop you from doing what needs to be done.
What guides you?
Two things—my belief that (company) culture matters and my desire to continue growing, both personally and professionally.
What are you reading?
I just finished listening to Walter Isaacson’s biography on Steve Jobs and began listening to “The E-Myth.” I like to read fiction to wind down at the end of a busy day, too, and am currently enjoying “A Game of Thrones.”
Who do you follow?
I’m a huge Seth Godin fan and read his daily blog faithfully. I recently started following Simon Sinek as well after reading his book, “Start with Why.” Their ideas resonate with me very strongly and I find them both to be great sources of inspiration.
What’s your favorite app?
I use Headspace everyday. It’s really helped me prioritize downtime to give my brain a break, as well as to be more focused and present with my work and in my relationships.
Audible is probably the other one I use most consistently. I love to listen to audio books when I walk to work, which I try to do as often as possible.
Where do you see the field going in 1-3 years?
I think we’ll continue to see a growing emphasis on the importance of great user experiences. As people are bombarded with more and more content and tools to consume that content, ease of use and getting the job done as simply and intuitively as possible will become increasingly important. People will have less and less patience for complexity.
You can learn more about everyone at Far Reach here.