From Crisis to Collaboration: My Journey to Unlocking Innovation
In 2011, I packed my bags, left Ireland with my engineering degree in hand, and landed in Christchurch, New Zealand—a city in the midst of devastation. The earthquakes had left unimaginable destruction in their wake. But amidst the rubble, something remarkable was happening.
I had the opportunity to be part of the rebuilding effort, and it wasn’t just about restoring infrastructure—it was about restoring a community. I saw competitors put aside their differences, sharing resources, knowledge, and ideas for a greater purpose. Silos crumbled, egos disappeared, and true collaboration flourished.
I was inspired.
I wanted to bring that same spirit of unity and innovation back to my own organization. I believed in it deeply because I had seen firsthand what was possible when people aligned around a shared mission. But outside of a crisis, the landscape looked different. The urgency was gone, and so was the collaboration. Silos reformed, egos resurfaced, and innovation felt like an uphill battle.
I knew there had to be a better way.
So, I made the difficult decision to leave engineering. I stepped outside the comfortable walls of my corporate role to pursue something bigger: helping organizations break down silos, align on purpose, and build cultures of innovation—not because they had to, but because they wanted to.
It wasn’t easy. Walking away from certainty meant facing self-doubt, uncertainty, and stepping far outside my comfort zone. But it was worth it.
Since then, I’ve worked across New Zealand and Canada, helping teams unlock their potential through collaboration and innovation. From leading national initiatives at WorkSafe to guiding organizations in building resilience and agility, I’ve seen how intentional design can transform not just businesses, but entire communities.
And I know this: Collaboration shouldn’t require a crisis.
If you want to foster a culture of trust, alignment, and innovation—without waiting for disaster to strike—I’d love to help.
"True collaboration shouldn’t require a crisis. When teams align on purpose, break down silos, and embrace innovation, they unlock their greatest potential."
— Katie Muldrew