Real Guidance. Kind Support.
Legendary Impact.

For Founders & Leaders who dare to lead real & kind

You’re building something extraordinary—

Culture, teams, and a business that will leave a mark. But even the boldest leaders need space to reflect, grow, and be supported. Real & Kind Coaching helps you lead with courage, build with heart, and thrive in the pressure of scaling greatness.

Let’s team up

Hi, I'm Cat Lee. Scaling a startup is one of the most rewarding—and relentless—challenges a leader can face. I’ve been there. With 20+ years of experience investing in and scaling startups, including cofounding Pace and holding leadership roles at Pinterest and Facebook, I know what it takes to build unicorn companies, extraordinary cultures, and high-performing teams. I’ve also experienced firsthand the obstacles and opportunities that come with building something from the ground up.

As an ICF-certified coach with hundreds of hours of coaching experience, I combine deep expertise with a personalized, integral approach. Together, we’ll unlock your inner unicorn—the bold vision, unique magic, and potential that will define your legacy.

How we’ll work together

1:1 Coaching

Coaching isn’t about giving you answers—it’s about helping you find your own. Using an integral coaching approach, we’ll dive into the full picture of your leadership—your mindset, actions, and how you show up. Together, we’ll explore what’s holding you back, uncover new insights, and create lasting change that transforms how you lead and make decisions. My goal is to support you as you tap into your own potential.

Co-Founder Connection & Mediation

Co-founders need to be on the same page. When conflicts or misalignment arise, we’ll get to the heart of the issue and work through it—so you can focus on growing your business, not fighting fires. Clear communication and shared vision.

Advising & Consultation

Looking for actionable advice to solve key problems? This service offers a direct, hands-on approach. Leveraging my experience in venture capital, culture, operations, marketing, and management, we’ll dive into your biggest challenges. I also tap into my squad at Penknife and my broader network to ensure you’re getting the best possible guidance and support. This is where I provide expert insights and strategic advice to help you take your business to the next level.

What to expect

  • Dhrooti V.

    I’ve greatly valued the moments when you’ve offered specific language to help me be assertive without coming across as abrasive [...] I’ve also appreciated how you’ve challenged any static assumptions I may hold—such as the idea that there’s only one way to manage a board—and encouraged me to take a clear-eyed approach in assessing others’ incentives.

  • Lisa

    Lisa V.

    Working with Cat has been a transformative experience in ways I believe I wouldn't have accessed on my own. When I began, I thought I needed clear direction so I focused on [...] career and personal growth goals. Cat helped me see there were subtle yet significant roadblocks in my path — obstacles I hadn’t recognized on my own.

    She created a space for total honesty and openness, enabling real progress in areas that were previously challenging. Her attentiveness to details—reminding me of things I shared months ago and helping me reflect on my blind spots—ultimately led to profound shifts in perspective and understanding.

  • Julie

    Julie Z.

    In our coaching sessions, Cat always listened patiently and attentively as I spoke, seeking to understand my old programming in the context of my family and culture, as well as why I was struggling to become the person I wanted to be. She shared her insights, drawing from her extensive knowledge in psychology, leadership, mind-body connection, and her personal and professional experiences.

    With Cat's help, I’ve made significant progress in understanding and processing my emotions, thoughts, and behaviors, as well as gaining a better understanding of others' emotions, thoughts, and behaviors. My theories of mind have improved significantly, and I now have greater clarity and a sharper sense of what I need to do in situations that once confused or frustrated me. Thanks to the new awareness and skills Cat has helped me develop, I’ve experienced meaningful transformation in areas I wanted to grow.

  • Jung

    Jung F.

    I am deeply grateful and lucky to have had Cat as my Coach. We worked together during an extremely transitional and transformative year for me... I didn't fully realize it at the time but I was overcommitted and overwhelmed. Amidst the frenzy of my life and schedule, Cat was an empathetic and insightful grounding presence, holding space for me and asking great questions to help me reflect about the challenges and major changes I was undergoing. I appreciated and benefited from Cat's extensive experience as an entrepreneur, founder, and leader in business. She always had a resource or idea to share with me around self/time management and systems [...] which I've carried into the new year and next chapter of my business and life.

Ready for next steps?

Interested in working together? Fill out some info and I’ll be in touch shortly. I offer a free consultation where we can explore your goals, challenges, and aspirations.

Can’t wait to hear from you!

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