Kat Cole

Working as a waitress to help finance your way through college is not an uncommon story, but a promotion to an executive position at 20 years old and rising through the ranks to VP by the age of 26 is only a tale of the mythical “American Dream.” Kat Cole not only had to drop out of college to keep up with her executive duties at Hooters, but later returned to earn her MBA without even completing her Associates Degree. It is no surprise she was working as the COO of Focus Brands (Cinnabon, Auntie Anne’s, Jamba, etc.) at the young age of 32. Leaving on a high note with Focus Brands after 10 years, Cole shares her leadership methods, decision making processes and how this highly successful executive and mother finds balance in her life.