Katy Shanahan

For nearly 20 years, Katy has managed a variety of complex multijurisdictional investigations on behalf of clients in diverse sectors, including due diligence assignments in support of IPOs and other transactional dealings, asset searches, investigations of employee fraud/misconduct, and theft of intellectual property. She also has significant experience in cyber security and physical and operational security.

What makes you a Risky Woman?

I would consider myself a “Risky Woman” because I trust my instincts and make decisive moves when the stakes are high. This attribute is invaluable as it requires boldness, accountability, and confidence in oneself. People who question their own instincts may fear being wrong, but the strongest leaders make the most impact by simply trusting themselves.

Name your top 3 achievements

1. I lead from a position of clarity, conviction, and calm, and most importantly, empathy.
2. I am fiercely loyal – to my clients, my colleagues, and those closest to me.
3. I take pride in sustaining long‑standing client relationships that span many years, and in some cases, decades.

What is the biggest risk you’ve taken in your career?

The biggest risk I’ve taken in my career was stepping out of a practitioner role – where I was secure and successful – and moving into a business development, revenue-generating role. I made this transition much earlier than many of my peers and during a period of significant personal growth, which required me to step outside my comfort zone and bet on myself.

What’s something most people don’t know about you?

Though I present as extroverted, I’m inherently introverted and rely on a small group of champions. My family’s unconditional support keeps me grounded and anchored, both personally and professionally, and I’m rarely distracted by “shiny objects.”

What is the best quality for successful leaders in Risk?

Successful leaders across all sectors, including Risk, exhibit sound and practical judgment, exuding a sense of calmness under pressure. They default to their experience and institutional knowledge – while trusting their instinct – in order to lead teams and clients through challenging or uncertain times.