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Kate Conway, vice president of government relations at Verra Mobility, has been honored as a finalist for the prestigious Athena Award, presented by the Greater Phoenix Chamber.
The organization selected 11 women from the Phoenix-area business community across three categories – private sector, public sector and young professionals. The program, which is in its 37th year, recognizes excellence in “business and leadership, dedication to the community, and support and mentorship of others.”
“Spotlighting the women who are moving the Greater Phoenix area forward through the Athena Awards program is one of the Chamber’s proudest traditions,” said Todd Sanders, president and CEO of the Greater Phoenix Chamber. “These women make immeasurable contributions within their companies, their communities, and they are a driving force in making Arizona a top state in the nation.”
At Verra Mobility, Kate drives global government relations strategy and leads a team responsible for advancing safety and mobility solutions at the international, federal, state, and local government levels. She is also a lieutenant commander in the U.S. Coast Guard Reserve, where she has served for 14 years. In her professional career, Kate has led government relations programs for large and fast-growing companies. She served in various maritime transportation safety and engineering roles in the United States Coast Guard. Prior to her military career, she also served as a political appointee for the George W Bush Administration in Washington, D.C.
She earned her Masters Degree at the Thunderbird School of Global Management and her Bachelors of Political Science at Northern Arizona University.
The Athena Award finalists will be celebrated at a luncheon hosted by the Greater Phoenix Chamber on October 24.
Get To Know Kate
What is your role at Verra Mobility?
I lead a hard-charging team that educates key policymakers and advocates for the adoption of safety and mobility smart technologies at all levels across the government to create safe communities. This includes working with state legislators, governors, industry associations and community groups. I’m particularly proud of our efforts to partner with local governments and schools that are committed to improving road safety and ultimately saving lives.
What are your passions outside of work?
I’m a proud mother of three young kids – when we aren’t on the soccer fields or basketball courts, we enjoy being outdoors, camping, and exploring new places together. I’m also passionate about working with programs that advance opportunities in the workplace, particularly for women in male-dominated fields like military, engineering, and government. I also enjoy inspiring youth and coaching young professionals early in their careers.
What is your own personal leadership philosophy?
In the Coast Guard, we spend a considerable amount of time focused on leading others. I’ve learned from many great leaders in my career. There are three guiding principles or mantras that I personally hold close that form the basis of my own philosophy:
“Job Worth Doing is a Job Worth Doing Well.”
“A Good Leader is a Good Learner.”
“Leadership is about Relationships. And Relationships are Built on Trust.”
I encourage other professionals early in their careers to seek out trusted mentors and carve out their personal leadership philosophy based on what rings most true to them.