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Meet

Kate Vitasek

International authority on creating highly collaborative cultures
  • Author of seven books and over 300 articles including HBR, Forbes, and Leadership Excellence
  • Architect of the award-winning “Vested” business model
  • Faculty, Graduate & Executive Education and Distinguished Fellow at the University of Tennessee’s Global Supply Chain Institute
  • Virtual Master Presenter
Speaker Fee:
$20,000 - $30,000
Virtual Fee:
$10,000 - $15,000
Travels From:
Washington
5.0 | 3 Reviews
Kate Vitasek
Book Kate Vitasek
Speaker Fee: $20,000 - $30,000
Virtual Fee: $10,000 - $15,000

Kate Vitasek Speaker Biography

Lauded by World Trade Magazine as one of the “Fabulous 50+1” most influential people impacting global commerce, Kate Vitasek is an international authority for her award- winning research and Vested® business model for highly-collaborative relationships. Vitasek, an author, educator, and business consultant, offers practical and research-based advice for driving transformation and innovation through highly-collaborative and strategic partnerships. She has written seven books, including: Vested: How P&G, McDonald’s and Microsoft Are Redefining Winning in Business Relationships, Contracting in the New Economy, Vested Outsourcing: Five Rules that Transform Outsourcing and Getting to We: Negotiating Agreements for Highly Collaborative Relationships.

Vitasek has been featured on CNN International, Bloomberg, NPR, Fox Business News, and Forbes. She also has been featured in over 300 articles in publications including Harvard Business Review, Chief Executive Magazine, Information Week, CIO Magazine, The Wall Street Journal, Journal of Commerce, and World Financial Review. She is the lead faculty and researcher for Vested and has launched the University of Tennessee’s Certified Deal Architect program.

Prior to joining the University of Tennessee, Vitasek’s storied career includes positions with P&G, Microsoft, Accenture, Stream International and Supply Chain Visions—a boutique-consulting firm she founded, which was recognized by ARC Advisory Group as one of the “10 Coolest” boutique-consulting firms.

Vitasek is passionate in her quest to help companies transform their business relationships. Her customized keynotes and longer workshops inspire and motivate business leaders to make the shift to a “what’s in it for we” mindset.

Kate personally participates in a planning session to tailor her message for events. Her experience and research span virtually every industry with dozens of public examples from her rich body of work and case study library making customization a valuable addition to her keynotes. The extra effort ensures that your audience walks away with the perfect message maximizing the impact of your event. Popular customization options include:

Tailored Case Studies
Many organizations love the examples featured in Kate’s books such as Vested: How P&G, McDonald’s, and Microsoft are Redefining Winning in Business Relationships. However, other organizations prefer a deeper dive into a single case study or industry, such as how Eye for Transport had Kate feature three case studies in the context of logistics outsourcing. Kate’s can tap into her vast research library to find the perfect case studies to share at your event.

An Industry-Specific Angle
Should your customization be targeted toward a certain industry? Kate has seen The Vested Way applied across a variety of industries and she can showcase these examples. Kate has industry specific research and work she can leverage, such as with her work with the Health Management Academy on using strategic partnerships to drive innovation or with the Vancouver Coastal Health Authority on collaborative approaches for environmental services management.

A Function-Specific Angle
Kate’s keynote is always perfect for event planners looking for a fresh perspective on Leadership, Engaged Teams, Future of Work, and Culture. Additionally, Kate is a master at tailoring her keynotes and workshops to provide a function-specific angle for organization. For example:
• The United Nations asked Kate to develop a full-day workshop for their procurement function on how to improve collaborations with potential suppliers willing to invest in innovative approaches to solve the UN’s pressing SDG goals.
• Real estate giant CBRE had Kate customize her Vested Outsourcing keynote to showcase the art of the possible in facilities and real estate outsourcing.
• The International Institute for Conflict Prevention and Resolution loved how Kate tailored a virtual keynote to help members understand how collaboration approaches could be used to resolve conflict in a more preventive and proactive manner.
• Novartis turned to Kate for a customized workshop to bring leaders from each of its business units together to collaborate on supply chain efficiencies.

Incorporating Interactive RealPlay® Sessions
Want to bring a high-energy interactive option for your audience? Kate created RealPlay® —a dynamic approach for helping individuals put the concepts she shares into practice. Ask Kate the best way to incorporate RealPlay® into your event during your planning session.

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Featured Videos

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Kate Vitasek’s Speaking Reel 2025
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Kate Vitasek -20 Minute Segment From a Getting to We Keynote
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Collaborating for Innovation in Healthcare
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Getting to We in Practice Island Health
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Interview with Sourcing Industry Group
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Kate Vitasek Virtual Studio Reel
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Speech Topics

The Vested Way: Redefining Winning in Business Relationships

“Nothing personal—it’s just business.” This outdated attitude is the foundation that most business relationships are built on—a zero-sum game where one party wins at the expense of the other. Organizations say things like “valued employee,” “strategic partnership,” and “healthcare system,” but the reality is they are stuck on a transactional treadmill focusing on this task, this time, this deal, and under these terms. The relationships they create are static and the results are status quo.

Author, educator, and business consultant Kate Vitasek has cracked the code on how to truly create successful win-win relationships. Kate’s evocative and edutaining Vested Way® keynote unpacks Five Rules that turn transactional relationships into transformational relationships. Her keynote takes attendees beyond the theory of “win-win” and is packed with real stories from real organizations getting real results by applying the Five Rules.

Attendees walk away:

  • Challenging the game they are playing in their existing relationships
  • Armed with the Vested Five Rules to help them transform their relationships
  • Inspired by real-world examples of how the Vested Way has worked in practice, creating value far beyond traditional us-vs-them transactional approaches


Getting to We: 
Five Steps for Creating an Engaged, Collaborative Culture

The vast majority of business relationships operate with an “us vs. them” mindset: management vs. union, buyer vs. supplier, health care providers vs. payers, boss vs. employee and functional silo vs. functional silo.

Organizations say things like “valued employee,” “strategic partnership,” and “healthcare system,” but the reality is they are often stuck with policies and practices and functional metrics that pit organizations, departments, and even team members against each other. The result is a culture that feels like a virtual tug-of-war with team members pulling against each other rather than collaborating for mutual success.

Kate’s Getting to We® keynote shares five proven steps for creating an engaged, collaborative culture. Her keynote inspires audiences with behind-the-scenes stories of how organizations such as Island Health and their hospitalists transformed their culture from a tense, troubled, and toxic relationship to one team members proudly call trusting, collaborative, and innovative. Kate will leave you with tangible advice, tips, and tools for making the shift from a What’s-in-it-for-Me culture to a What’s-in-it-for-We culture.

Attendees walk away:

  • Understanding why “getting to yes” is no longer enough
  • Learning a proven five-step approach for creating a highly engaged and collaborative culture
  • Inspired by real-world examples of how organizations such as Island Health and their hospitalists transformed their culture
  • Gaining access to proven tools to facilitate teams in transitioning from a “Me” to “We” mindset


The Power of T: 
Choosing Transparency and Trust to Enable High-Performing Teams

In our fast-paced and interconnected world, the success of any organization hinges on the strength and productivity of its teams. High-performing teams are not merely a result of chance or luck; they are cultivated by fostering an environment built on transparency and trust. But all too often individuals and organizations have a mantra that trust must be earned. What if we shifted our mindset and chose to lead by trusting?

Join Kate in her evocative and edutaining Power of T keynote speech as she shares profound insights from her groundbreaking research. Kate’s inspiring and interactive presentation will help you challenge traditional notions of how to build trust and demonstrate how viewing transparency and trust through a new lens can unleash the full potential of teams.

Attendees walk away:

  • Valuable insights that will empower their organization to thrive in today’s competitive landscape
  • Five pillars for building trust and transparency in teams
  • Real-world examples of real organizations getting real results by choosing to lead with transparency and trust
  • Tangible tips and tools to foster a culture of trust and boost team performance

Vested Outsourcing: Five Rules that Transform Outsourcing Relationships

Many outsourcing deals are structured with fundamental flaws in the business model that prevent transformational results. The problem is not outsourcing itself, but rather the outsourcing business model. The vast majority of outsourcing deals are structured using a conventional transactional business model. This buy-sell transactional mindset pits buyers and suppliers across the table in a virtual tug-of-war when business needs change.

Join Kate in her evocative and edutaining Vested Outsourcing keynote where she will share how to flip the conventional outsourcing approach on its head with her award-winning Vested Outsourcing business model. You will learn how to align the interest between a buyer and supplier with Five Rules. The result? A highly collaborative win-win outsourcing relationship where the parties are vested in each other’s success. Walk away inspired by the art of the possible when outsourcing and learn from real case studies from those making the switch to Vested Outsourcing.

Attendees walk away:

  • Knowing what Vested Outsourcing is—and why outsourcing does not have to be a dirty word
  • Understanding the Five Rules of Vested Outsourcing and how they help organizations shift from transactional to transformational outsourcing
  • Inspired by real stories from real companies with real results
  • Motivated to rethink how they are working with outsourcing partners

Reviews

5.0 | 3 Reviews
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Border States Industries, Inc. | November 13, 2023
Border States Industries, Inc. | October 18, 2023

Kate was fantastic to work with and our audience was very impressed. We had fantastic communication leading up to our event and Kate went the extra mile to provide an address that really hit the mark with our audience. She fielded questions and was present both before and after the event to answer longer questions from our audience.

Greater Spokane Valley Chamber of Commerce | October 28, 2022
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“It’s rare in any industry that you find a speaker as passionate, thought-provoking and engaging as Kate Vitasek.”

Supply Chain Forum Executive Conference Organizer

“…enlightening and provocative…”

Conference Producer, Richmond Events

“Great content – great presenter! Expert advice from someone with experience at all sides of the purchasing relationship.”

Aberdeen Supply Chain Management Summit

“When I need content that will that will impress and inspire, I know who to call.”

Executive Director, eyefortransport

Kate has the unique talent to make difficult concepts simple for the audience. After her session the team was energies and enthusiastic about incorporating her methods into their work.

Chief Procurement Officer/Director, United Nations Operations

When Kate spoke at our general session, we got a one-word Tweet from an audience member; BRILLIANT.

CEO and President, Sourcing Industry Group (SIG)

Kate is the cutting-edge thinking behind big deal making.

Markets Leader, Nordics and Country Managing Partner EY Sweden

Kate Vitasek has an exciting message that she conveys in a dramatically interactive way – not only does everyone ‘get it’ but they remember her key points for a long time – a very unique result. She cleverly wove our conference theme and other speakers’ topics into her presentation, helping to make our Spring Conference a wonderfully connected and mission-driven event!

CEO, Prime Advantage

Kate’s RealPlay workshops really delivered! We created an amazing foundation for a new strategic partnership – 100% virtually.

EVP & Chief Operating Officer, Blue Shield California

Kate’s message is a must-hear for today’s supply chain and commercial managers who are struggling to crack the code on creating more value through their supply chain partners.

President and CEO, APQC

Kate’s message is a home run. Her depth of practical experience and academic knowledge blended perfectly for our association.

Executive Director, Utility Supply Management Alliance

Kate Vitasek is a brilliant speaker. She has worked with some incredible organizations that have afforded her the opportunity to gain insight on how powerful the relationships in businesses are and how it directly ties to success. Kate challenged HR Professionals to leverage their relationships within their organizations to add more value to the bottom line. I highly recommend Kate as a keynote!

Dancik International

The Vested Way and supporting principles shared by Kate Vitasek have played an integral role in my approach to Strategic Sourcing and Supply Chain for more than a decade. Now, as I coordinate a global team of procurement professionals, the transfer of that wisdom is empowering a new generation of professionals. For that, I am grateful.

Global Category Lead, Facility OpEx IBM Corporation

We really enjoyed Kate Vitasek and her inspiring session on VESTED business concept earlier today for LEMO GROUP. When you understand opportunity of advanced business model between buyer and seller and even internal stakeholders that creates such benefits for those who adopted you can only be amazed. We had tons of practical examples, essence of leading theory internationally recognized and all energy of Kate shared in very open and inspiring manner. I would highly recommend her!

LEMO Group

Kate was wonderful to work with! She customized her content to fit the needs of our membership as well as supported our marketing efforts by providing quotes and promotional videos. Plus, she donated copies of her books to our members to further their professional development.

Director of Membership, American Gem Society

We wanted a presentation on collaboration that would be both engaging and insightful for a mixed group of business, education and elected officials. Kate delivered!

President & CEO for Will County Center for Economic Development

“A big thank you from all of us at HCL for the great session earlier today to our entire Europe team. It is amazing how on every count, you impress more and more! I have had some great comments from our colleagues post the session. We are also thankful that you patiently answered all the questions!”

Corporate Vice President, HCLTech Ltd

“Kate’s message could not have been any better. She did a fantastic job of setting the stage and helping to start the discussion with our most strategic suppliers. We all left super energized and with some clear ‘homework’ to help us improve our relationships.”

EVP | Supply Chain – Border States