
Kathryn Leary
Consulting Strategist
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 consultant, trainer and lecturer for firms including AT&T, Lucent Technologies, Hewlett Packard, United Technologies and Corning…
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Full Bio
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 consultant, trainer and lecturer for firms including AT&T, Lucent Technologies, Hewlett Packard, United Technologies and Corning Inc., she motivated executives to expand their potential as global managers.
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.
Of her more than thirty years of marketing experience, Kathryn devoted fourteen years to Madison Avenue, working in account management and advertising firms including Young & Rubicam, BBD&O, Backer Spielvogel and Ted Bates, where she rose to Vice President.
She served four years as President & CEO of Jamison & Leary Advertising, a Saatchi & Saatchi affiliate, which became the subject of a 1990 case study at Stanford Business School. Her international business experience includes work in France, Italy, Great Britain, Japan, Hong Kong, West Africa, South Africa and the Caribbean.
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 has received numerous awards including the National Black MBA Association’s Entrepreneur of the Year Award, the Ronald H. Brown Legacy Award for international excellence and the Rebecca Rice Distinguished Alumni Award from Antioch College in Ohio. 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.
Kathryn earned a dual BA degree in Administration and Communications from Antioch College (1975) and an MBA in Marketing from Stanford Business School (1977).
She was a founding member of the Spelman College Corporate Women’s Roundtable in Atlanta, a 1971 alumna of Operation Crossroads Africa, having served in Ghana, West Africa, and is on the Board of the Manhattan Chamber of Commerce, serving on their public relations committee.
Kathryn has one daughter, who earned her BS in Criminal Justice at Northeastern University in Boston.
Testimonials
Ernie was perfect for our Elders Conference at Little River Casino Resort in Manistee, Michigan. We will definitely be using PDA again!

LITTLE RIVER BAND OF OTTAWA INDIANS
Our speaker was great and the crowd enjoyed her! She was very engaging. Thank you again PDA for the great list of suggestions!

MEDTRONIC
Everything went great! and our speaker was wonderful! Thank you so much for all your help PDA! Looking forward to the next one.

UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI – KANSAS CITY
I hope that this message finds you well. We had a phenomenal time with Atsuko this past Thursday. We wanted to just let you know how amazing she was. All those that were in attendance thoroughly enjoyed her and had nothing but amazing things to say about her. Thank you for working with us to make sure this happened!

BAYLOR UNIVERSITY CAMPUS
We had a fantastic day with Inge! She was very engaging with all those that attended. Her personal stories about the holocaust were very special and we were moved that she was willing to share them with everyone. Thank you again, PDA for all your hard work and dedication to make this program such a success!

SALT LAKE COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Dear PDA Group, Thank you so much for your hard work in scheduling our speaker! From the moment we reached out to you the first time, you worked with us on all details and logistics and kept us up-to-date on the progress. Thank you for all your hard work on making our event such a success! We couldn't have done it without you and your team!

SAP COMPANY
Thank you again, Dr. Kimbrough, for a great presentation, our attendees are still talking about it!

CAMPUS LABS
Dr. Henry Lee's presentation was entertaining, insightful and wise. I, and everyone at Pfizer, especially appreciate the remarks you directed about following your passion and preparing yourself to excel. Thank you, everyone, at PDA for helping to make this happen!

PFIZER
The event was successful! I received many messages expressing how awesome, outstanding and inspiring Ms. Webb-Christburg's speech was."

DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. MEMORIAL BREAKFAST, BOSTON, MLK SPEAKER
Everything went well. Atsuko was very easy to work with and the students enjoyed her performance! Thank you again for your recommendation and I hope to work with you again in the future!

CENTRAL MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY
Dr. Novello left this morning after a very successful event on our campus! Thank you PDA Group for your help from the first phone to the last you were with us every step of the way.

GRAND VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY
Jordan Carlos was very very entertaining! A majority of students who answered the event survey indicated they really enjoyed Jordan and definitely will bring him back!

WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY
On behalf of myself and my organization Entertainment Unlimited the Campus Programming Board of Ferris State University, we thank you PDA and Dan for a successful event!! Dan was magnificent! Students really enjoyed the presentation. I know I did. Can't wait to bring in more programs with PDA Group.

FERRIS STATE UNIVERSITY
It was a great pleasure to work with PDA Group! The communication was always prompt, friendly and helpful. We loved the speakers and events we booked through Mr. Peter Walker (PDA Group).

WESTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY
Thank you, Peter, for all your help, you'll be happy to know that the event went incredibly well! Aneesa Ferreira was by far one of the best speakers we've ever had!

FURMAN UNIVERSITY
Topics
Kathryn Leary is a frequently sought after speaker and current lecture topics include:
Repositioning Yourself for Success!
Health and Wellness Strategies
Black Baby Boomers
Entrepreneurship
Women and Success
Women in the Global Business Environment
African Americans in the Global Business Environment
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