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From Athlete to Educator to Entrepreneur, A Journey of Guiding Growth: Meet Kristie Williamson, Coach at Ironwood Ridge High School, Arizona
We are honored to feature Kristie Williamson in our Education Leadership Series, highlighting change makers who bridge education, athletics, and innovation. With a career spanning athletic training, teaching, project management, and ed tech, Kristie is passionate about building systems that empower students, athletes, and communities to thrive.
Tell us about your personal journey. (This encompasses both personal and professional aspects)
My personal and professional journey has been shaped by a passion for education, athletics, and helping others succeed. I began by earning a dual Bachelor's degree in Athletic Training and Physical Education with a minor in coaching. I immediately followed that up by earning my Master’s in Education. During graduate school, I worked as an athletic trainer at Weber State University with women’s basketball and cheerleading, while also serving as a graduate assistant for the Teaching and Learning Forum. After graduation, I spent eight years teaching high school sports medicine and health science and being the head coach and cheerleading advisor. Those years deepened my love for guiding students and supporting their growth.
When I moved out of state, I realized I was no longer aligned with the education system there, which led me to pivot my career into project management. In many ways, my work as an athletic trainer, teacher, and cheerleading coach prepared me perfectly for this field. Today, I work in education tech, helping digitize student records so learners can more easily and quickly access what they need to move forward in their educational journeys.
Outside of my professional career, I’ve been coaching cheerleading for 20 years at both the high school and all-star levels. That experience, combined with my background in athletics and education, inspired me to create thoughtfully curated kits designed to support athletes, moms, and coaches to be prepared for every moment. Ss a mom, I understand firsthand the busyness of life and the need for tools that bring a sense of calm, preparedness, and peace of mind. I was even lucky enough to create custom kits for an athletic training conference in Georgia.
What pivotal experiences shaped your current path?
Several turning points stand out. Early on, being an athlete and later an athletic trainer instilled in me the value of teamwork and preparation. Transitioning into project management gave me the opportunity to lead from behind the scenes, ensuring tasks were executed and others could thrive. More recently, entrepreneurship has challenged me to merge creativity with strategy, especially as I founded Curated Kit Co., which blends practicality with care to make people feel supported in everyday moments. Personally, navigating ADHD has been the most pivotal experience, teaching me empathy and sparking my passion for creating systems that help me and people like me, feel less overwhelmed and more empowered.
What are the most valuable lessons you've learned through your work?
I’ve learned that leadership is less about having all the answers and more about creating an environment where others can succeed. I’ve also discovered the power of small details, sometimes the tiniest effort of preparation or thoughtfulness can make a huge difference in someone’s day. Another lesson is that resilience comes from adaptability; challenges are inevitable, but how we respond determines our growth. Finally, I’ve seen that true impact comes when work aligns with purpose, not just productivity.
What drives your desire to contribute and make a difference?
I’m driven by the belief that preparedness, organization, and care create peace of mind. Whether in education, healthcare, or entrepreneurship, I’ve seen how people thrive when they feel supported. My desire to contribute comes from wanting others, especially women, parents, and young leaders, to feel empowered rather than overwhelmed. I want to model that we can lead with both structure and compassion, and that the ripple effect of small acts of preparation can change communities. I want people to know that everything is figure-out-able. It may be challenging but at the end of the day we will figure it out and be better for it.
What are your highest hopes for democracy to unite and uplift and inspire?
My hope is that democracy continues to be a space where diverse voices are not only heard but valued. I believe in a system that uplifts communities by creating equal access to opportunities, education, and representation. Democracy should inspire people to participate, not just observe, and in doing so, help us find common ground even when our experiences differ. At its best, democracy unites us around shared hopes for fairness, freedom, and a better future for the next generation.
How can GlobalMindED support leaders like yourself in achieving your goals and advancing your aspirations?
GlobalMindED can continue to amplify voices that might otherwise go unheard by creating spaces for connection, mentorship, and visibility. Leaders like myself thrive when we’re part of a network that values collaboration and diverse perspectives. By highlighting real stories, offering educational tools, and connecting us with cross-sector opportunities, GlobalMindED helps us scale our impact. Support also comes from being challenged to think bigger, to expand not just what we do but how we do it, with inclusivity and innovation at the core.
Contact Kristie Williamson:
Linkedin Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristie-williamson/
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