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For more than 20 years, Kathy Pedrotti Hays has helped organizations adjust their actions for maximum positive social impact. In 2003, Kathy launched Pedrotti Hays, Inc., a consulting company dedicated to providing enterprising solutions for the social good, and she continues her work today.
Kathy also currently serves as the Indianapolis Chapter Chair of the Women’s Presidents’ Organization, an international organization that provides monthly confidential peer learning sessions for second-stage women business owners. And if that weren’t enough, Kathy is frequently sought-after as a speaker for her expertise and is also a member of the leadership team of the Conscious Capitalism Indianapolis Chapter. Now it’s over to you, Kathy!
My Maven Superpower is … I’m a truth-teller. It’s usually a benefit but can also be a liability. Generally, it’s well suited for my job, but sometimes not so much for my friends and family.
Best book I’ve read lately is … “The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo” by Taylor Jenkins Reid.
My first job was … At age 14, working for a plastic surgeon as a file clerk. The experience was crazy. My lips are sealed—but not surgically.
A fun fact about me is … I’m an undefeated Whac-a-Mole champion. And don’t even talk to me about Centipede.
The skill I most want to learn is … Backing out of my curved driveway with confidence OR how to become a back-up singer.
Self-care habit I swear by is … Group exercise. Despite being a lifelong non-athlete, the relief and reward when it is over is priceless. It’s a must for my mental health and hopefully helps some of the not-so-joyous effects of aging!
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The best career advice I can offer is … Find your voice and use it. Early on in my career I thought if I kept my nose to the grindstone and kept to myself, my boss would be blown away by my performance. Sadly, I was stepped on and over because I didn’t speak up or get noticed. Once I figured this out, I made up for lost time.
Favorite purchase lately is … Inexpensive silk pajamas from Amazon. They’ve changed my life and that of all my friends and family. I’ve upped my PJ game for $30!
My favorite local restaurant dish is … “Della Casa” pasta at Bocca. It’s the pasta my Italian heart has been searching for in Indy for decades. Homemade pasta, huge shrimp, a little spicy, a little creamy—100% delicious. Plus, I love the restaurant; it’s a cool spot with a terrific speakeasy downstairs.
The thing I’ve been binging lately is … “Yellowstone” and “1883.”
Something I have achieved recently that I’d like to celebrate with the Indy Maven community is … Winning the 2021 President’s Award from the Women Presidents Organization! Nine years ago, I was able to bring Women Presidents Organization to Indianapolis. Our chapter is one of 140 chapters worldwide dedicated to supporting second-stage women business owners through a peer learning group. It’s amazing to see the game-changing breakthroughs that are experienced through their collective insight. The President’s Award is given to someone facilitating greatness for the organization. It was a thrill and honor to receive it.
Two Mavens you should know are … Carrie Abbott and Janet Hiatt.
What’s next for me is … Continuing to help promote the growth of purposeful/responsible businesses in Indiana. I’m excited to help launch the Conscious Learning Cohort of Conscious Capitalism Indy this year which will help businesses who want to use their companies as a force for good. Peer learning is so powerful, and I know these companies will learn so much from each other. I can’t wait to see how the purposeful/responsible business landscape continues to develop here.
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Stephanie Groves is the Executive Editor of Indy Maven.
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