Katie Babineau & Courtney Brown Warren on Stepping Into the CMO Seat: What We’ve Learned & What We’d Do Differently

Virtual Event Recap

This conversation brought together two LEAP Flagship alumni, Katie Babineau, CMO of Beyond Yoga, and Courtney Brown Warren, CMO of Kickstarter, for an honest discussion about stepping into the CMO role for the first time. Together, they reflected on what surprised them most, what they would approach differently, and how LEAP helped prepare them for the expanded scope and responsibility of the role.

These calls offer a rare, off-the-record space where senior marketing leaders hear the real stories behind the moments, decisions, and mindset shifts that define how today’s top executives lead. Read on for the highlights.

How LEAP Helped Prepare Them

For both Katie and Courtney, the most pivotal leadership lesson came during moments of pause, like partaking in the LEAP executive leadership program and navigating major career transitions. They saw those times as a privileged opportunity to reflect deeply on who they were as leaders and how they wanted to show up next.

They shared that LEAP created intentional space away from day-to-day execution, allowing them to clarify their values, leadership style, and personal definition of success. That clarity became the foundation for every decision that followed.

“What I loved most about LEAP was that it gave me the time to think about what I value as a leader, how I want to show up,” Katie shared.

Courtney echoed that sentiment, reflecting on time itself as the most valuable leadership resource. “Time is such a commodity, and I think one of the things that I'm reflecting a lot about now is, like, the LEAP program was time for me... take a step away from the work that you're doing on the day-to-day, think about things differently.”

What They Learned Quickly

Clarity before momentum matters.

Both Katie and Courtney credited LEAP with helping to create rare space for reflection. That time allowed them to examine what they value as leaders, how they want to show up, and where they can have the greatest impact. That clarity later became essential when making career decisions.

“What I loved most about LEAP was that it gave me the time to think about what I value as a leader, how I want to show up,” Katie shared.

Courtney echoed the importance of that pause, calling time “the biggest commodity,” and noting that LEAP made room to think beyond day-to-day execution.

Alignment with your CEO shapes everything.

Both leaders were candid that their first year would have unfolded very differently without strong alignment at the top. Katie emphasized the importance of establishing a shared vision and an understanding of what success looks like with your CEO so you can run quickly with support and partnership.

Courtney added that reporting to a CEO who understands marketing fundamentally changed how quickly decisions could move and how much trust existed from the start.

The CMO role depends on context.

A consistent theme was that there is no universal CMO job description. Responsibilities shift based on business model, growth stage, leadership structure, and culture. Understanding those conditions early helps first-time CMOs set realistic expectations and avoid unnecessary friction.

What They’d Do Differently Next Time

Assess the culture before setting the pace.

Courtney shared that she initially entered the role with a clear 30-60-90 plan, only to realize that momentum required deeper peer alignment. Building trust with her internal “first team” of peers became just as important as setting strategy and aligning with those who report to her.

Adapt leadership style to the people.

Courtney also reflected on advice she now questions: that CMOs should set vision and step back. Teams still need different levels of guidance. “Some people want white space. Some people want clear lanes.” Effective leadership requires adjusting to those differences.
Use your voice sooner.

Katie reflected on early career advice she now rejects. “Just be nice, you’ll be fine.” Over time, she learned that leadership requires having a clear point of view, even when it creates tension. “It took me a while to figure out what is my voice and my perspective in the room.”

Why It Matters

For leaders stepping into their first CMO role, this conversation reinforced a simple truth: the hardest work is not mastering the function, but mastering how you lead.

LEAP did not give Katie and Courtney a playbook for the job. It helped them build the perspective, confidence, and clarity to make better decisions once they were in it. That meant knowing where to focus, how to align, and what kind of leader they want to be when the stakes are real.

Titles may open doors. Long-term impact comes from self-awareness, alignment, and conviction.

About Katie Babineau & Courtney Brown Warren

Katie Babineau is the CMO of Beyond Yoga, where she leads brand and growth at the intersection of performance, lifestyle, and purpose. Prior to Beyond Yoga, she held senior marketing leadership roles across the tech industry including Snap, Inc., Apple and GoPro.

Courtney Brown Warren is the CMO of Kickstarter, where she leads brand and marketing in support of creative independence and community-powered innovation. She previously held leadership roles at Twitter and Audible.
Both are LEAP alumni and are dedicated to helping the next generation of leaders learn, connect and grow.