HR Like a Boss Navigating Burnout in HR | HR Like a Boss with Katherine Fry

In this episode of the HR Like a Boss podcast, John interviews Catherine Fry, a former HR executive turned executive coach. They discuss Catherine's journey in HR, the importance of self-care, and the challenges of burnout in the profession. Catherine shares her experiences with equity in the workplace and the need for bravery and advocacy in HR. They explore the purpose of human resources and the significance of managing thoughts to prevent burnout.

ABOUT KATHERINE FRY

Katherine Fry, SHRM-SCP Executive Coach | Burnout Expert | Thought Intelligence™ Pioneer

While many professionals lose steam in the second half of their careers, Katherine Fry’s passion and perseverance are only accelerating. Her career vision is bold: to revolutionize the HR profession by replacing archaic leadership and management practices with approaches rooted in neuroscience. Katherine has been named the 2024 and 2025 Top Burnout Coach in the United States by Evergreen Awards and Best Future of Work Keynote Speaker by Biz Weekly. She is the CEO and founder of Marble Peak Consulting and creator of Refresh HR, a first-of-its-kind app, providing HR professionals and people leaders with 24/7, on-demand access to 100+ accredited SHRM and HRCI recertification workshops. As president of Elevate HR and founder of HR Empower Hour, Katherine is the driving force being a growing, modern-day movement that helps HR professionals reclaim their energy, amplify their influence, and transform organizational culture from the inside out. Her signature framework, the ETHOS Method, improves leaders’ mental health in less than five minutes a day; proving that meaningful change doesn’t require more time, rather, just practice with a powerful, proven tool. Her breakthrough workshop, Ditch the PIP, went viral in 2023 and has guided 15,000+ HR leaders worldwide to replace outdated performance improvement plans with a neuroscience-backed, six-step framework that drives accountability and measurable performance gains. Her most-requested keynote, Thought Intelligence™: The Unknown Prerequisite to Emotional Intelligence in the AI Era, equips leaders to upgrade their thinking, unlearn ineffective leadership habits, and implement strategies that beat burnout—both individually and organizationally. Known for her high-energy delivery, science-backed insights, and immediately actionable tools, Katherine is a three-time speaker for HRCI’s global audience with a three-part-series launching in 2026, trusted executive coach to senior HR leaders and a sought-after keynote speaker and workshop presenter for SHRM chapters across the country. Katherine doesn’t just teach Thought Intelligence™—she embodies it. As an ultra-runner, skier, environmental advocate, and volunteer, she finds renewal and growth in nature, perspective through travel, and joy in her family and community near Aspen, Colorado. Katherine’s mission is clear: to empower people who empower people with Thought Intelligence™.