ABOUT

It’s not meant to be a lonely struggle.

Leadership is rewarding—but it can also be incredibly lonely and isolating when the tough calls land on your shoulders.

I know this firsthand, both from my own career in corporate leadership and from working alongside countless leaders, especially when the challenges of leadership continuously evolves.

LEADERSHIP:

I help accomplished leaders navigate leadership challenges and take smart actions that drive measurable results.

hello, I’M kay hugheS.

For nearly two decades, I worked as strategic HR partner and trusted advisor to executives in global Fortune 500 tech companies. I sat in on countless leadership meetings, advised leaders one-on-one, and facilitated executive decision-making sessions. And no matter how seasoned and successful they were, I saw the same patterns emerge repeatedly - talented leaders feeling stuck, uncertain of their next step, and trying to figure it all out on their own.

Behind the closed door, even the smartest, most driven leaders confided in me that they were struggling and asked for my help. They grappled with tough decisions, stumbled through contentious situations, and carried the pressure of competing demands—all while drowning in exhaustion and secretly wondering where they might land.

I know the toll it takes when you feel stuck—unsure of the next right step, second-guessing yourself, and the weight of wanting to get it right.

That’s why I do this work today.

Because figuring it out alone is just another form of struggle. You don’t have to make it harder by trying to solve one struggle with another.

As a leadership coach, I work with leaders who are navigating pivotal leadership moments that demand more than just working harder or relying on past strategies.

Some are trying to regain their influence after being overlooked.

Others are stepping into higher-stakes leadership roles as their organizations evolve from growth to maturity.

Navigating conflict or leading major change can feel like walking a tightrope, even for the most experienced leaders.

And many are simply tired of spinning their wheels—wanting to move forward and start making progress.

Together, we are going to clear the fog, break through the roadblocks, and figure out a path forward that aligns with your vision and the success of you and your organization.

I’d love to partner with you and help you make progress so you can start moving forward.

I’ve Partnered with Clients from—

Certification, Training & Membership —

take actions that drive results

Leadership Coaching That Moves You Forward 

  • "Kay uniquely combines empowering, non-judgmental coaching style, ‘on-the-ground’ employee perspectives, and deep HR expertise working in tech. She helped me come up with creative strategies to optimize unrealized opportunities and actionable steps."

    CIO - Public Administration

  • " Kay helped me discover one of the most important things someone can do in their life – their ‘why’ – what motivates them and gives them purpose at their core."

    — CTO, Global Saas Solutions Organization

  • “I got a new job! Kay’s coaching made a real difference for me. I learned to be myself in interviews, ditching the ‘shoulds’ for what actually matters. "

    — VP, Global Digital Collaboration Platform Organization

  • “Coaching from Kay has given me a result I didn’t get from other forms of support I’ve tried in my lifetime.”

    — Sr. Technical Consultant, Global Commerce Solutions Organization

  • “Working with Kay helped me focus on my North Star and navigate the tricky waters of cross-functional partnerships and setting up a new line of business. Coaching conversations helped me see things I didn’t see before. Thanks to her support, I was able to up-level my leadership and earned a promotion I’d been working towards for a long time. “

    SVP - global technology organization

  • “I really enjoyed being coached by Kay. She helped me see my business planning in a different way. More importantly, she helped me identify an emotion that is holding me back and stopping me from reaching my business goals. I was able to name that emotion, and now I can take steps to strengthen this area of myself.”

    founder - healthcare consulting firm

  • "Kay’s unique ability lies in her capacity to seamlessly integrate coaching pivots into the foundational structure and narrative of our objectives and sharing mind-opening exercises and prompts. She brings a fresh perspective to our discussions, exploring unique angles and approaches that enrich the coaching experience. "

    director - non profit organization

Kay Hughes Headshot

Official Bio

Kay Hughes, ACC is an ICF-accredited leadership coach and the founder of Mind Matters Coaching & Consulting, LLC. She helps accomplished leaders navigate leadership challenges so they can take smart actions that drive measurable results.

With two decades of experience as an HR leader and executive advisor in global Fortune 500 tech companies, Kay brings a signature blend of empathy, candor, and strategic insight to her clients. Her coaching has empowered leaders at organizations like Google, ServiceNow, and NCR to navigate high-stakes situations with confidence and achieve tangible results.

When she’s not coaching, you can find Kay surfing the beautiful waves in her coastal hometown in sunny San Diego, California.

“Our coaching session helped me realize what I’d believed to be my weakness was actually my best asset. I felt seen and heard for the first time in a long time. ”
— Sr. Director, Global SAAS Solutions Organization
 
 

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LET'S get you unstuck

Make Progress. Move Forward.