Kate McBride is the co-founder of Ma Collective and a trusted guide for leaders navigating complexity. With over 20 years’ experience in the human services sector, including 12 years in executive management, Kate brings a rare blend of frontline insight and executive leadership. Having worked in hands-on support roles before leading large-scale operations, she understands both the heart of human services and the business drivers that sustain it.

She has managed teams of more than 250 employees, overseen budgets exceeding $20 million, and delivered high-stakes audits, investigations, and change projects with empathy, honesty, and a clear focus on achieving meaningful outcomes.

Kate is passionate about developing confident leaders, effective teams, and healthy cultures, helping people and organisations achieve better results. She has a deep commitment to supporting vulnerable communities, particularly people with disability and individuals experiencing family and domestic violence. She believes in doing what is just, giving voice to those who need it, and challenging leaders to reflect today so they can do better tomorrow.

Known for her pragmatic, authentic, and direct approach, Kate balances warmth and humour with honesty, helping people move from uncertainty to clarity and action.

Her qualifications include an MBA, Graduate Certificate in Management, Graduate Diploma in Management, Certificate IV in Government Investigations, and she is a Graduate Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.