Meet Katie Warehime: Building Connections and Supporting Growth with Military and Government Leaders

With a master’s in clinical mental health counseling and experience as both an outpatient therapist and school counselor, Katie Warehime brings a deep commitment to people in her role as Associate Director of Program Delivery & Executive Coaching at Darden EELL. Since joining Darden in 2022, Katie has overseen leadership institutes for federal clients and directed executive coaching for military and government partners, managing a dedicated bench of coaches. Here, Katie discusses her journey to Darden, the insights she has gained from the leaders she serves, and her personal perspective on the power of lifelong learning.

How My Career Began

I've spent most of my career in the counseling field. Right after graduate school, where I earned my master's degree in clinical mental health counseling, I worked as an outpatient therapist, counseling K-12 students. I really enjoyed that work, but I wanted to move into a school setting, so I earned an additional certificate and spent seven years as a school counselor, working with students in both Prince George's County and Fairfax County.

While in that role in Fairfax County, I was "volun-told" to be the AP coordinator, and that experience ended up shaping the direction of my career in ways I never expected. My school had one of the largest AP programs in the country, which led to consulting opportunities with The College Board, training AP coordinators across the U.S. and internationally. Through that work, I realized that while I loved working with students, I was equally energized by helping people learn, grow, and succeed. 

Eventually, I started thinking about what was next in my career and looking for a role that blended my counseling background, my love of education, and my interest in helping others. Darden EELL turned out to be the perfect blend of everything I was looking for.

What I Love About Supporting Military and Government Leaders

My favorite part of this job has been the opportunity to meet so many different people and hear so many amazing stories. Whether it's Darden faculty, participants, clients, or colleagues, I love learning about the paths that brought them to where they are today. That curiosity about people's journeys has stayed with me from my counseling days.

It's an honor to support our military and government clients in their leadership journeys. These are leaders who have already given so much in service to others. Being part of what comes next for them, whether that's navigating a transition, leading through change, or gaining new insights they can bring back to their team, is something I don't take for granted.

What Sets Darden Executive Education Apart

I think part of it is Darden's stellar reputation. We celebrated a 50-year partnership with the U.S. Navy in 2023, and people know that when they come to Darden, they're getting a high-level academic program grounded in real-world leadership challenges. 

Our faculty do a great job meeting participants where they are, finding ways to make cases relevant to them. Participants consistently walk away with practical tools they can use right away. Just recently, a participant from last year requested a framework a faculty member had shared so he could put it to use with his own team.

The Moments That Stay with You

It's hard to pinpoint just one moment of impact from my time at Darden because the program I primarily work with brings cohorts together for five weeks, and so much happens during that time. Whether it's a specific faculty session in the classroom, learning leadership lessons out on the battlefield at Gettysburg, or sparking conversations that continue long after the program ends, watching cohorts come together, learn, build memories, and stay connected is something truly special to witness.

What Military & Government Leaders Need Most Right Now

Across our programs, I'm seeing leaders navigate constant change while working to keep their teams engaged and mission-focused despite the challenges they face.

I'm also seeing leaders think carefully about their next steps, looking for ways to support their teams, apply what they've learned, and prepare the next generation of leaders.

Executive coaching is one of the ways we support that work. Darden's coaches bring real depth to the experience. Many have backgrounds in the military or government themselves, so they understand the unique pressures these leaders face and can speak to them in a way that feels grounded and credible.

What Lifelong Learning Means to Me

I love learning! I'm in school right now, working toward a certificate in Industrial-Organizational (I/O) psychology. I think one of the best ways to keep your mind sharp is to keep learning something new, whether that's picking up a hobby or exploring a subject that interests you. To me, learning and growth go hand in hand, which is why I value taking time to self-reflect and embracing opportunities to expand my perspective.

I love that Darden gives everyone the chance to keep growing — not just as leaders, but as people.