During the summer, we have introduced the individuals who make Calderon Search & Advisory what it is, sharing their career stories, passions, and the work they’re doing to support our clients and their leadership goals. After introducing Dagmara Kruczkowska and Harco Leertouwer recently, this week with we introduce Catrhy Miller, Executive Leadership Coach. With over two decades of corporate experience and a deep commitment to values-led leadership, Cathy brings a unique blend of strategic insight and human empathy to executive coaching. In this interview, she shares how her work at Calderon Search & Advisory empowers leaders to embed sustainability into culture, strategy, and personal impact.
Cathy, you bring over two decades of experience in advertising and marketing before transitioning into executive coaching. What led to this shift, and how do your earlier experiences inform your coaching today?
Indeed, I spent over 20 years immersed in the corporate world, primarily within advertising and marketing. It was a dynamic environment – fast-paced, strategic, and relentlessly results-driven. A pivotal personal experience prompted me to begin facilitating innovation and strategy workshops, where I helped marketing teams unlock their potential to address complex strategic challenges. It was deeply rewarding work – until the pandemic reshaped everything.
I hosted a few webinars, and through those, acquired my first coaching client. The experience was revelatory. It was instinctive, deeply human, and impactful. I realised, “This is what I’m meant to be doing.” From that moment, I committed to professionalising my coaching practice. Today, I work with executives with genuine passion, empathy, and a profound understanding of corporate dynamics. My prior experience enables me to truly grasp the pressures leaders face – and more importantly, to co-create practical, strategic, and personal solutions with them.
Your work focuses on helping leaders build confidence, hone their strengths, and develop an authentic leadership style. Could you share a concrete example of this in action?
Certainly. I worked with a senior executive who was facing escalating resistance from his team – morale was low, and collaboration was faltering. Through our sessions, we identified his core strengths and crafted a leadership roadmap that aligned with his authentic self. A key turning point was a shift in perspective: we realised that the team’s disengagement stemmed largely from a breakdown in communication and cultural alignment. By embedding empathy and clarity into his leadership approach, he transitioned from a reactive to a creative and values-based leadership style. The transformation was extraordinary – not only did the team re-engage and restructure itself organically, but the executive rediscovered a genuine sense of purpose and enjoyment in his role. That, I believe, is the essence of effective leadership.
Calderon Search & Advisory works at the intersection of talent strategy, leadership, and sustainability. How do you see your role as a coach within this context, and how do you help leaders drive sustainable change?
I consider myself a values-led coach – both personally and professionally. Sustainability is not a peripheral issue; it is, quite rightly, a core tenet of modern business strategy and culture. Leaders shape culture. It is therefore imperative that sustainability is not merely an initiative, but an embedded element of leadership identity and organisational DNA.
My role is to help executives internalise these values, integrate them into their leadership behaviours, and lead in a way that aligns long-term business success with environmental and social responsibility. It’s about building leaders who don’t just comply with sustainability principles – they champion them.
You often work with leaders around themes such as success, self-awareness, and stress management. Are there any topics that are especially prominent at the moment?
An increasingly common concern I see is executives feeling pulled in multiple directions, unclear on how to weave sustainability meaningfully into their leadership and their teams’ culture. Many feel under siege – racing through tasks without truly leading.
My work helps them slow down, gain clarity, and operate from a place of intentionality and confidence. What’s truly powerful is watching the ripple effect: as leaders find alignment within themselves, their teams follow suit. Authenticity at the top creates cohesion throughout the organisation.
Why did you choose to join Calderon Search & Advisory, and what drew you to their vision?
I’ve known Harco from his time working in Executive Search when he was based in Frankfurt am Main, Germany – we’ve always shared a strong rapport, a passion for innovation, and plenty of lively discussion. When he founded Calderon Search & Advisory, his emphasis on aligning recruitment, leadership, and sustainability immediately resonated with me. Harco doesn’t just talk about sustainability – he lives it.
The integrated model of recruitment and advisory services under one roof is a forward-thinking approach I find both compelling and strategically sound. It was, quite simply, a values and vision match – so my decision to join was immediate.
What do you contribute to Calderon Search & Advirory’s mission?
My focus lies in preparing newly placed executives for the challenges ahead – not just operationally, but holistically. I help them enter their roles with clarity, self-assurance, and an understanding of how to lead both themselves and their teams with purpose. When leaders are equipped to lead with conviction, the outcome is not just improved performance – it’s a culture in which individuals thrive, engagement soars, and sustainable success becomes possible.
What inspires you most in your work?
Seeing leaders shift from a place of overwhelm to a place of grounded clarity is incredibly rewarding. Moving from reactive behaviours to creative, intentional leadership has a systemic effect – not just on the individual, but on their teams, their culture, and their organisation.
That transformation – from self-doubt to self-belief, from disconnection to authenticity – is what drives me every day.
Outside of work, what brings you joy? What do you value most in life?
I live a conscious, holistic life. My family and friends are my anchor. I’m the proud mother of an adult son, and our open, warm, and honest relationship is something I treasure deeply. I’m passionate about health and wellbeing, continually curious, and love learning through travel. Giving back is also essential to me – which is why I’m actively involved with WIZO, a cause close to my heart. I feel fortunate to live a full and meaningful life – and I never take that for granted.
Finally, what are your hopes for the future – personally and professionally?
My greatest wish is for a world free from violence – where people are empowered to think creatively, act courageously, and treat one another – and our planet – with care and respect.
In the workplace, I want to see leaders who are more than managers. I want to see role models – authentic, values-led individuals who inspire their teams to bring their whole selves to work and realise their full potential. With Calderon Searh & Advisory, I believe we’re making that vision a reality – one leader at a time.
