Today we are getting under the hood with Dr. Kathy Overbeke, a mom, daughter, sister, wife, friend, entrepreneur, executive coach, family business advisor, international speaker, and advocate for women. She is passionate about raising awareness of gender bias in family businesses and helping daughters and families understand the drivers, effects (including mental health effects), and advantages of resolving this unrecognized and tough issue.
Overbeke co-founded and operated two businesses for over 25 years. Her career path pivoted in her late 50s when she grew curious about the role of daughters in family businesses. She returned to school, entered the Doctor of Management program at Case Western Reserve University, and conducted empirical research on daughters in family businesses while studying leadership development and other aspects of management. She has published her research in peer-reviewed scholarly journals and has presented her research internationally. Overbeke has also written articles for popular publications such as Psychology Today.
Since completing her doctorate, Overbeke has worked with family businesses addressing daughters’ roles and helping owners keep the entrepreneurial fire alive while maintaining family harmony and an appreciation for the family that built the business. She is also an executive coach and works with Fortune 500, mid-size businesses, non-profit organizations, and Master’s level leadership classes.
Overbeke recently co-authored The Sixth Level, a book about how women lead in large and mid-size organizations using the ethic of care and connection. The book centers on narratives from 16 women CEOs and senior executives and presents an innovative leadership model based on the narratives and women’s social psychology. The book will be released in December.
Overbeke is most proud of her accomplished, beautiful daughters and is energized by helping women who have breached gender barriers and women who continue to struggle with this deterrent.
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