When the work is complex, clarity matters.

I help high-impact entrepreneurs and academics think clearly when it matters most so that they make decisions they can stand behind.

Explore working together

Working together

Entrepreneurs and academics shape the systems, markets and technologies we all depend on.

Doing that well, over time, requires focus, reflection, and the ability to make sound decisions as complexity increases. It also requires alignment between the person and the work they are leading.

This is where I bring sustained value: helping you make decisions you can stand behind when it matters.

In practice, this work takes shape through strategy and coaching.

Strategy

Strategy support that creates focus, alignment and actionable next steps - recognising that growing ventures are often redesigning the plane while in flight.

I work best with ventures in periods of rapid growth, transition, or strategic inflection. Support is always tailored, and attentive to board, investor, team, and partner contexts.

Support can include:

  • Strategy facilitation at critical moments

  • Ongoing strategic reflection

  • Trusted advisor to founders, CEOs and boards

  • Strategic interventions that move the organisation

Coaching

A reflective coaching partnership designed to support judgment, direction, and sustained performance.

My coaching is grounded in evidence-based methods and practical experience. Wherever possible, we meet outdoors to allow nature and movement to unlock our thinking - supporting reflection and clarity.

Support can include:

  • Neuroscience-based mental and cognitive fitness programme

  • One-to-one coaching journey

  • Vision and entrepreneurial journey workshops

  • Leadership development workshops for teams

About me

Kathryn Maunders

I work alongside entrepreneurs and academics navigating complex, high-responsibility work, drawing on two decades of experience in multi-stakeholder environments.

I founded Kestrel in 2014 as a home for this work - supporting entrepreneurs and academics serving nature and society to shape direction, strengthen judgment, and build ventures with integrity over time.

Where needed, I draw on a trusted network of experts. Together, we support clear strategy, personal mastery, and the development of sustainable impact ventures.

Alongside Kestrel, I am a Business Fellow at the Smith School of Enterprise and the Environment, University of Oxford, where I am actively involved in strengthening the climate entrepreneurial ecosystem. 

My earlier career includes consulting with McKinsey & Company in Johannesburg and Geneva, and co-founding two (and a half) impact ventures. I hold a BA in Economics & Management and an MSc in Evidence-Based Social Intervention, both from the University of Oxford. I am British and based in the Netherlands, my adopted home.

Testimonials

  • “Kathryn brings that rare combination of strategic insight and practical support with a great communication style. She brought value not only in the strategy development, but also added unique views and approaches as well as oversight during the implementation phase.”

    Jan-Willem Bode
    President, Puro.Earth

  • “Kathryn combines a powerful brain with great empathy. She kept me straight by reminding of the ‘why’ behind our decisions when I felt lost.”

    Anouk Kooijmans
    CEO Nomad (pre-sale)

  • “Kathryn is strategic, able to navigate and build momentum in complex institutions whilst focusing on a clear shared goal. She drives progress with pragmatism”

    Prof. Cameron Hepburn
    Oxford University


  • “Kestrel gets inside the minds of their clients, declutters their thinking, and gives them a framework and action plan so there is confidence and hope to move forward.”

    Ted Jeory
    Co-Director, Finance Uncovered

  • "Kestrel are a deep thinking, intelligent, determined, passionate and very personable team with high EQ. They are exactly who you need when dealing with sensitive or complex relationships."

    William de Laszio
    CEO Agathos

  • "Kathryn is driven by impact from the heart with a solid business sense and realism at the core."

    Annerieke Douma
    Director, Cities and Regions, Circle Economy

  • "Kathryn gets how to combine theory with practice and social impact with entrepreneurship."

    Menno van Dijk
    Founder, ScaleUpNation

  • "The coaching sessions with Kathryn are truly one of a kind. She guides you in exploring triggers beyond the obvious and has a talent for taking away any sense of pressure. With her, you can genuinely work on yourself and grow."

    Louis Meisen
    Founder, WeDesignFood

  • "Kathryn has helped me achieve significant clarity and well-being in a very short timeframe. She has supported me brilliantly with both personal and professional challenges, helping me feel noticeably calmer, more grounded, and connected to my body. Her deep love, respect and appreciation for nature is so evident and inspiring, making every session incredibly special."

    Viktorija Stojcheva
    Founder, Trail Keepers

Example engagements

  • University of Oxford - Entrepreneurial Ecosystem

    Helping Professors Cameron Hepburn and Paul Shearing to strengthen the climate entrepreneurship ecosystem at Oxford.

  • Family Philanthropy - Climate Strategy

    Supported a leading European entrepreneurial family to align and evolve its philanthropic efforts, including a major climate initiative and the repositioning of a core foundation for greater impact.

  • Puro - Strategy and Implementation

    Helped the leading carbon removal registry through a post-financing strategic review and leadership transition - helping shape an agile growth strategy while strengthening leadership alignment and resilience.

  • Agathos - Impact and operational turn-around

    Supported a private equity fund with a portfolio company turnaround, operational due diligence, and an independent evaluation of social impact.

  • Circle Economy - Partnership strategy

    Enabled the design and rapid piloting of a scalable partnership model, allowing a global circular economy organisation to grow collaborations while maintaining technical rigour and values alignment.

  • Finance Uncovered - Scaling strategy

    Created space for a high-impact investigative media charity to step back from day-to-day pressures and develop a clear, focused strategy - strengthening positioning and enabling confident, organic growth.

  • Nomad - Company strategic sale

    Supported the founder’s family through a sensitive leadership transition, exploring strategic options and delivering a values-aligned sale to long-term investors.

  • ScaleUpNation - Build Scaling Lab

    Shepherded the evolution of a research initiative into a fully funded lab focused on understanding and improving scale-up success for impact-driven ventures.

  • Utrecht University Academic Founder - Pre-incorporation venture build

    Worked alongside the inventor as an intended co-founder, combining technical and commercial due diligence, go-to-market strategy, tech development, development partner and customer discussions (pre-incorporation).