Katie Hensley: Redefining Risk, Raising the Bar, and Radiating Power 

Katie Hensley enters a room, and she owns it. With brains, brilliance, and a boots-on-the-ground work ethic, she is blazing trails in some of the most dangerous and male-dominated industries. Whether advocating for safer practices in foundries or mentoring the next generation of manufacturing leaders, Katie is unapologetically herself: vibrant, visionary, and committed to lifting others as she climbs. 

Last year, we introduced you to the sunshine radiating from Katie's soul—a tribute to her late mother and her infectious mantra: #BringOnThe_Sunshine. This year? We are witnessing the fire. Katie is leveling up, expanding her impact, and turning her personal mission into a full-blown movement. 

Leading With Grit in High-Hazard Spaces 

Katie's work isn't for the faint of heart. She's in the thick of it—deep in the high-risk world of foundries, forges, and die casters, where risk management isn't just strategy; it's survival. At Cottingham & Butler, she is part of an elite team driving change from the ground up—literally. Their boots-on-the-ground approach isn't just a tagline. It's how they lead the charge to identify hazards, mitigate risk, and make some of the toughest workplaces safer for everyone inside. 

Katie brings years of experience to the table. From her early days as a Workers' Compensation adjuster handling self-insured and captive accounts to building and leading a claims and safety team at a major brokerage, she knows the system inside and out. But what makes her unstoppable is her why: Katie almost lost her father in a workplace accident. That trauma forged a deep-seated resolve. She is not here to play small. She is here to change the game. 

“You don’t want to get in the way of her mission.” That’s not a warning—it’s a promise. 

The Mic Is On: Raising Her Voice for Industry Change 

Katie isn't just in the field. She’s also on the stage and behind the mic—sharing her expertise through keynotes, webinars, and published articles with the American Foundry Society (AFS), the Forging Industry Association (FIA), and the North American Die Casting Association (NADCA). She is the voice for practical safety, grounded advocacy, and authentic leadership in spaces where that voice is needed most. 

She makes safety not just a compliance issue, but a culture shift. She teaches leaders that protecting people is the foundation of a healthy business and that empathy is a leadership skill—not a liability. 

Mentoring with Intention 

One of Katie’s superpowers is mentorship. She’s not just mentoring interns; she’s shaping future leaders who will one day carry the torch for this industry. She instills in them the importance of knowing their industries from the inside out—not just understanding the policy, but how the work actually happens on the floor. 

Every summer, Katie invests in the next generation. She teaches them to think critically, ask better questions, and—above all—lead with heart. This kind of investment is nothing short of revolutionary in an industry where women are still underrepresented. 

Championing Women in Manufacturing 

Katie continues to lead the charge for women in manufacturing through her work with Women in Manufacturing (WiM) Iowa and other professional women's organizations. Her dream? That one day, women-specific networks won’t be necessary. But until then, she’s showing up, speaking up, and making space for other women to rise. 

She's the kind of leader who lifts as she climbs, who sees her success as a platform—not a pedestal. Katie doesn't just talk about equity—she works for it daily and clarifies that respect isn’t optional. 

Community First: Service, Advocacy, and Baseball Cleats 

While Katie’s professional presence is mighty, her heart beats loudest for her community and her son. As president of the Boys and Girls Booster Club of Greater Dubuque, she’s committed to creating equal playing fields—literally and figuratively. Volunteering isn’t a checkbox for her; it’s a lifestyle. 

She involves her son in everything, showing him what it means to stand for something, give back, and lead with compassion. Her favorite role? Baseball mom. Watching her son chase his dreams of playing in the MLB is pure joy; she wouldn't trade those bleacher-side moments for anything. 

What She’s Learned, What She’s Loving 

When asked about the biggest lesson from the past year, Katie did not hesitate. "The mission doesn’t wait." Time is too precious to play it safe. She has leaned into discomfort, tackled new challenges, and grown more confident using her voice. Her leadership has become more intentional, her boundaries clearer, and her laser-focused energy. 

Katie is also leaning toward mindfulness and movement. Yoga remains a cornerstone of her routine, a sacred space where she reconnects with herself and regains balance. It's her reminder that strength and softness can coexist—and that resilience is built pose by pose, breath by breath. 

What's Next? 

Katie is ramping up. She is taking on new challenges in risk strategy, expanding her impact through professional associations, and continuing to advocate for safety, equity, and inclusion at every turn. She’s also doubling down on her writing and speaking, bringing her insights to wider audiences across the country. 

And personally? She’s soaking up every second of motherhood, living with intention, and reminding everyone in her orbit that it's possible to be fierce and full of grace. 

Parting Wisdom 

Katie lives by this mantra: Be bold, be kind, and be real. She encourages others to trust their gut, use their voice, and never forget that change is possible even in the toughest spaces—if they're brave enough to push for it. 

She reminds us that leadership is how you show up. And Katie? She shows up. Fully. Fearlessly. Fiercely. 

Katie Hensley is a force, a spark, a leader who turns intention into impact and adversity into action. Her story is one of heart, hustle, and hope—and if you are lucky enough to be in her orbit, you already know: the world shines a little brighter with Katie in it. 

Permission granted, Katie. To lead. To shine. To change everything. 

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