Today we’d like to introduce you to Kathleen Leavitt.
Hi Kathleen, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Kathleen Leavitt’s career is rooted in people, service, and community leadership. She began her professional journey in the restaurant industry, where several years as a waitress gave her a strong foundation in communication, relationship-building, and understanding what it truly means to serve others — lessons that continue to shape her leadership style today.
She transitioned into customer service roles, where her natural ability to connect with people quickly stood out. This led to an opportunity with a small business consulting firm, where Kathleen built and led the customer service department from the ground up. Shortly thereafter, she was recruited to do the same for a local insurance agency. During that time, she became a licensed independent insurance agent, deepening her knowledge of business operations, compliance, and client advocacy.
Her work in the insurance industry introduced her to the Chamber of Commerce, where she was invited to serve on the board of directors. Recognized for her leadership, vision, and community focus, Kathleen was ultimately selected to serve as President & CEO — a role in which she now leads strategic initiatives, strengthens local business engagement, and champions economic development.
Kathleen holds a Bachelor’s degree in Physical Education and Kinesiology. Originally from California, she spent part of her formative years living abroad as an expatriate in Switzerland and Kazakhstan — experiences that broadened her worldview and strengthened her adaptability, cultural awareness, and communication skills.
Today, Kathleen brings together her diverse background in service, business development, and leadership to create meaningful impact for the organizations and communities she serves.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Like many leaders, my path has not been linear or free of doubt. While my career may look confident and upward-moving from the outside, much of my growth has happened quietly — through seasons of self-doubt, uncertainty, and learning to trust my own voice.
Entering new roles, especially those that stretched me far beyond my comfort zone, often triggered deep imposter syndrome. I questioned whether I truly belonged at the table, whether my experience was enough, whether others would eventually “discover” that I didn’t know what I was doing. These feelings followed me from customer service management into business development, and even into executive leadership.
What I learned, slowly and sometimes painfully, is that self-doubt is not a signal of inadequacy — it is often the companion of growth. Each new responsibility forced me to confront old narratives about my worth, my intelligence, and my capability. I learned to stop shrinking myself in rooms where I had earned my place. I learned to speak even when my voice shook. I learned that leadership is not about having all the answers, but about listening, learning, and showing up with integrity.
Today, I still experience moments of uncertainty, but they no longer control me. They remind me that I am evolving. The confidence I carry now was built through experience, resilience, and the courage to keep moving forward even when I didn’t fully believe in myself yet.
My story is not just one of professional advancement — it is one of personal transformation. And that transformation continues to shape the leader I am today.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
What I do best — and what I’m most known for — is building strong, meaningful collaboration.
My career has always centered around people, relationships, and creating environments where everyone can succeed together. I truly believe that the strongest results come from alliances, not competition. I learned that early in my career in the restaurant world, where success wasn’t about being the best individual performer, but about building trust with the right people — sometimes in the most unexpected places. As a waitress, I made a point to build relationships with the hosts and the chefs, showing up for them when they needed support, knowing that when I needed help, they would show up for me. That experience shaped the leader I am today.
That same philosophy has guided my work in business and community leadership. I specialize in bringing people together — especially when there’s history, friction, or simply no existing relationship. One of my proudest achievements has been building a strong partnership between our chamber and Salem City. When I stepped into my role, the relationship was distant and strained. Over time, through consistency, openness, and collaboration, we went from being estranged strangers to trusted partners working toward shared goals.
We’ve seen similar transformation across neighboring chambers as well. Today, we don’t compete — we collaborate. We share resources, ideas, and opportunities, and the result is a much stronger, healthier business community.
What sets me apart is my ability to see possibility where others see barriers, and my genuine belief that treating people with kindness, respect, and curiosity opens doors that strategy alone never could. I’m most proud of the communities and connections I’ve helped build — because those relationships create impact that lasts far beyond any single project or title.
Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
If there’s anything else I’d love to share, it’s this:
believe in yourself and in your potential — even when your path doesn’t look like everyone else’s.
Some of the most valuable skills I’ve gained didn’t come from titles or traditional career ladders; they came from unlikely places, through real experiences, challenges, and moments of uncertainty. Don’t underestimate where your growth is coming from.
When opportunities present themselves, even if they feel intimidating or imperfect, take the leap of faith. Trust that you are capable of learning, adapting, and rising into what’s being offered. Confidence isn’t something you wait for — it’s something you build by stepping forward before you feel ready.
Your journey doesn’t have to make sense to anyone else. It only has to make sense to you.
Pricing:
- Spanish Fork Salem Area Chamber of Commerce Membership
- Pricing varies from $250 to $7500 annually
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.spanishforksalemchamber.com
- Instagram: https://Instagram.com/spanishforkchamber
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/spanishforkchamber
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathleen-leavitt-ab10aa1a1
- Youtube: https://youtu.be/CbBZi-Bg4eE
