Meet Katie Clift: WBS alum and Ambassador for the Women in Business alumni network

On the run up to International Women’s Day, we are speaking to some inspiring women in our alumni networks. Here, we caught up with Katie Clift. Katie is CEO and Cofounder of may:be agency and is an MBA alum and Ambassador of the Women in Business Alumni Network.

Can you tell us about your current role and what you enjoy most about it?

I am Founder and CEO of international public relations agency may:be - we specialise in PR and communications strategy mainly for nonprofits, international organisations and purpose-driven organisations. At its core, may:be is counter-cultural PR. 'Maybe' is actually two words: a contraction of “what may be”. It’s bold, definitive and results driven. And so are we. We push the boundaries of true possibility in PR, moving the needle from an outdated industry narrative of “maybe it’s possible, maybe we can do it…” to “let’s see what may:be.”

Nonprofits and the third sector have a very special place in my heart and my experience improving communications strategically for this industry has spanned 15+ years. I believe in the benefit, vision and cause of nonprofits – and that a compelling voice for these organisations through strategic PR is essential to them achieving their missions and visions.

My experience throughout my career, time and again, is that the nonprofit PR industry has not received the equal time, attention, budget and resources that the private sector has. To me, this is a substantial gap and missed opportunity that needs rectifying. I discovered during my MBA, when consulting the academic research, that what constitutes effective PR in nonprofits has not ever really been researched or established, despite the operation of the function within organisations for years. So much research, and a lot of budget, is focused mainly on PR in the private sector.

It has been my passion to upskill nonprofits in PR and communications with tailored strategies designed specifically for the sector to see these organisations – with such crucial campaigns, messages and visions – effectively achieve their missions. Now, I have the immense privilege of working with leading nonprofits all over the world, including Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia, St John Ambulance, International Organization for Standardization, Diabetes Australia, and University College of London (to name a few!) to make this a reality.

Some of our wins so far include publishing the first thesis in the world defining key success factors for non-profit PR globally, founding the corporate affairs approach at the World Economic Forum, advising the world's leading organisations year-round and at global events, including Davos and COP, and doubling one nonprofit client's media coverage across Australia, to more than 8,000 clips a year, in just 12 months.

What does International Women's Day mean to you?

International Women's Day, to me, is about recognising and celebrating the achievements of women across industries, geographies, and life stages. It is wonderful to hear the stories of women setting and achieving personal and career goals, supporting each other and inspiring each other to live with purpose.

Can you share a moment when you felt particularly empowered as a woman in your career?

When I started my public relations agency, may:be. I took the career leap to start the agency after a journey battling breast cancer. An experience like cancer obviously has the potential to change the way you approach your entire life. For me, one of the biggest catalysts that came from the experience was to be empowered to start may:be.

I was in my 30s when I was diagnosed with aggressive breast cancer and went through 18 months of active treatment. This changed my perspective on life and career, and when I returned to work, I wanted to fulfil a personal dream of starting and managing a successful international PR agency. I was more determined than ever before in my career to truly make an impact on this industry that I have worked in and been so passionate about for almost two decades.

I wanted to do something with the rest of my career that truly made a difference, by introducing a counter-cultural agency that was focused on upskilling communications for organisations globally. I feel so empowered, one year on, that our agency is thriving and growing, we are being recognised across the industry as making a true difference to a range of organisations globally. I can't wait to see how we grow and what we achieve in future.

What advice would you give to young women aspiring to enter the business world?

1. You can do so much more than you think you are capable of! Go for it!

2. Mentors are absolutely invaluable and have been one of the greatest assets to my career. Find one or two!

3. If you're considering an MBA - DO IT! It is one of the best things I've done in my life, and every day I see a return-on-investment from my MBA.

4. Be confident, back yourself, move forward through rejection and learn how to hold your nerve.

What has been the most significant challenge in your career, and how did you overcome it?

Graduating as an MBA scholar with distinction was a highlight of my life and one of my greatest achievements to date. I loved the experience and find the practical learnings I gleaned holistically across business, but also the in-depth research I was able to undertake through my dissertation, greatly shape the way I founded and am building may:be, and it also informs the strategies we employ for clients.

I am a big believer in research and data underpinning industry approach. Through my MBA, I produced the first thesis in the world defining key success factors for non-profit PR globally – and I believe a lot of innovation has already come to the sector through this research. It is this framework and approach that we use in our strategies for every one of our clients.

My MBA also produced in me a new resilience. This quality, along with a personal value of not giving up, has seen me achieve innovation across the industry and in my life in ways I never thought possible, from completing the MBA with distinction, to starting my own international PR agency, to living in four different countries, and making it through cancer treatment.

What are some key skills you believe are essential for success in business?

Confidence, being bold and counter-cultural. Personally, I love the perspective that has come from taking risks, being bold and building my career internationally. It has been so rewarding to take my learnings all the way from the start of my career in Australia to the global stage – hosting press conferences in Davos, speaking on international panels, advising clients with PR and communications needs internationally – and seeing my hard work gaining true global success for clients all over the world – there is truly nothing like it. The sky is the limit when you are able to work internationally with a range of clients and on a variety of campaigns.

How do you stay motivated and continue to grow professionally?

I love to step out and try new things. It keeps me self-aware, confident, bold and ensuring I grow and adapt professionally over time. I absolutely love to travel, love new experiences, love the adventure of taking on new challenges in both work and personal life and experiencing new cultures.

How has being an alum of our business school benefited your career?

Immensely! It is one of the best parts post-MBA. I love the continued network, learnings and inspiration I glean from alumni members, the business school as a whole and the extended community.

What motivated you to join the Women in Business network?

I want to continue to be inspired by other women in business, continue growing my network, and have the opportunity to mentor and share my life and career experiences with others.

Can you share a memorable experience or opportunity you've had through the alumni network?

I loved hosting the most recent in-person Women in Business event at The Shard about entrepreneurship. I have hosted panels all over the world, and the atmosphere created during our panel event, hearing the stories of four women in business starting and building their companies was nothing short of remarkably inspiring, uplifting, motivating and compelling. I would encourage everyone to attend upcoming events - you get so much out of connecting with other women in business!

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