Today we’d like to introduce you to Kathleen Curtis Wolf.
Kathleen, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Even though I spent 25 years at a Fortune 200 company, I’ve always been an entrepreneur on the inside—drawn to areas that needed clarity and direction to startup or reinvent the function. During my time at Whirlpool Corporation, I worked across sales, marketing, innovation, and branding on nearly every major brand in their global portfolio. One of my proudest achievements was leading the creation of Whirlpool’s first purpose-based corporate and employer brand—a project that united teams across continents around a shared sense of meaning.
After leaving Whirlpool, I joined a startup agency to help businesses uncover and activate their purpose in ways that shaped both employee and customer experiences. That experience reinforced what I had always believed: when people and organizations lead with purpose, performance follows.
Today, as Founder and Chief Experience Officer of The Purpose Partners, I help forward-thinking leaders and organizations grow with clarity, confidence, and consistency. My mission is to bring the experience, tools, frameworks, and strategic thinking I learned in large corporate environments to small and mid-sized businesses—customized for their unique needs, speed, and culture. These organizations are the heart of our communities, and when they operate with purpose and alignment, their impact reaches far beyond their walls.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Let’s just say… it hasn’t all been smooth sailing. I’ve been lucky to build partnerships with clients that often turn into long-term collaborations, which is the best kind of success in my book. But being an entrepreneur? It’s definitely not for the faint of heart.
I’ve joked that running your own business is like being on a roller coaster—and here’s the kicker: I don’t even like roller coasters. There are twists, turns, and sudden drops you never see coming. (Looking at you, COVID.) But each challenge has a way of sharpening your focus and reminding you to refocus on your purpose – the “why” that got the ride started in the first place.
Through it all, I’ve learned to hang on, reflect & refocus, trust the track, and enjoy the ride when I can. The truth is, I’m doing the work I was meant to do—and even on the wild days, I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about The Purpose Partners?
At The Purpose Partners, I help leaders, teams, and organizations grow with clarity, confidence, and consistency. My work bridges strategy, branding and employer branding, culture, communications, and talent development — helping organizations connect their purpose to how they operate, lead, and show up every day.
I draw heavily from positive psychology, focusing on what’s right rather than what’s wrong. Through CliftonStrengths for individuals and Appreciative Inquiry for organizations, I help people identify their natural talents, align them with purpose, and turn them into performance drivers. When we lean into our strengths, we not only achieve more — we enjoy the process, and that energy fuels engagement, creativity, and impact.
My relationships with clients often grow well beyond the initial engagement because the work is deeply collaborative and mutually beneficial. I have a knack for spotting unique opportunities and connecting the dots between strategy, people, and brand experience.
At the heart of it all, I’m driven by one belief: when people find fulfillment in their work, they’re better able to serve others — and that’s how meaningful impact begins.
Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
I come from a big family — one of six kids — and interestingly, I was the only one who didn’t become an entrepreneur early on. I saw how hard my siblings worked, and I chose the corporate path instead. When I finally decided to leave that world, people kept asking how I could give up the “stability” of a large company.
What I’ve learned is that big companies don’t actually create stability — we do. Real security comes from knowing what you’re great at, delivering exceptional experiences, staying valuable to others, and continually evolving. That mindset has carried me through every chapter of my journey.
Being an entrepreneur is challenging, yes — but it’s also the most fulfilling work I’ve ever done. It’s a daily reminder that stability isn’t something we’re given; it’s something we build through purpose, excellence, and growth.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.ThePurposePartners.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kccurtiswolf/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ThePurposePartners/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathleencurtiswolf/
