Who we are

Kate Chester

Co-Founder and Director of Animo Leadership, leading high-performing teams, supporting emerging leaders and successfully managing change.

With over 17 years’ experience working at a senior level in the third sector, I create courageous leaders through transformational coaching, workshops and programmes for life-changing experiences. I craft brave working cultures by empowering leaders to step into their power and potential, in order to promote inclusivity and create positive change.

Passionate about equity, curiosity and adventure, I coach with empathy and a strong belief that all of our lived experiences support us to grow in unexpected ways.

Her experiences of success and failure enables her to facilitate, coach and consult with empathy and a strong belief that all our lived experiences support us to grow in unexpected ways.

“As a direct result of Kate’s coaching I better understand how to motivate my team. I have built stronger relationships in my organisation and I make better decisions. Through Kate’s guidance I have learned why I make the decisions I do and how I can improve as a leader.”

Maria Marlow

Co-Founder and Director of Animo Leadership, I am passionate about empowering leaders to build organisational resilience and confident teams.

With over 15 years’ experience working in the Third Sector, I manage programmes and coach people to create powerful spaces for change. I am passionate about developing authentic, courageous and confident leaders and guiding individuals and teams to identify their values and purpose so that they can achieve their goals.

I travel the world supporting leaders in taking their teams from a place of uncertainty and doubt to a place of clarity and connection.

“Smart, incisive, challenging, warm, knowledgeable, and in my corner. It was phenomenal and a huge privilege to have someone with such expertise dedicate themselves to my development in the way Maria did.”