K

Katy Hetherington

CEO

Stockholm, Stockholm County, Sweden15 yrs 10 mos experience

Key Highlights

  • 20+ years of experience in strategic communications.
  • Expert in guiding teams through organizational change.
  • Proven track record in creating clarity from complexity.
Stackforce AI infers this person is a strategic communications expert in organizational change management.

Contact

Skills

Core Skills

Internal CommunicationsChange CommunicationsStrategic CommunicationsExternal CommunicationsEmployee EngagementOrganizational ChangeCustomer EngagementMedia RelationsPublic Awareness CampaignsStrategic Communication

Other Skills

Team LeadershipAnnouncementsJournalismMessagingSharePointCreative Content CreationCommunicationsMicrosoft OutlookChange ManagementSocial Media StrategyFinancial CommunicationsTeamworkProduct LaunchAgile Project ManagementSocial Change

About

I’m a senior communications leader with 20+ years’ experience across Sweden, the UK and Australia, specialising in internal, leadership and change communication when clarity matters most. I’m often brought in when things feel unclear – when priorities compete, pressure is rising, and people need help making sense of what’s changing. My role is to create enough clarity and direction for leaders and teams to understand what matters, align around it, and move forward together. I’ve delivered this work both in-house and in advisory roles, partnering closely with leadership teams during periods of organisational change, growth and uncertainty. I focus on turning complexity into messages people can understand, trust and act on. Alongside my communications work, I also run North Star Sessions – one-to-one conversations and written guidance that combine strategic thinking with intuitive insight. This work supports leaders, founders and creatives who want space to hear their own judgement more clearly and navigate decisions with confidence. Here, I write about communication, leadership, careers, storytelling and the experiences that shape how we make decisions. Based in Stockholm and working globally, I believe communication works best when it creates clarity, builds understanding and helps people see the wider context.

Experience

15 yrs 10 mos
Total Experience
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Average Tenure
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Current Experience

Sas - scandinavian airlines

Head of Internal & Change Communication

Apr 2026Present · 2 mos · Stockholm, Stockholm County, Sweden · Hybrid

Internal CommunicationsChange CommunicationsStrategic CommunicationsTeam Leadership

Guiding star communications ab

Founder

May 2025Present · 1 yr 1 mo · Stockholm, Stockholm County, Sweden · Remote

  • I help organisations turn strategy into messages people can follow across internal comms, leadership, content, and transformation.
  • I work with leaders and teams to translate complexity into clear, human communication that builds understanding and momentum. That can mean defining a narrative, crafting leadership messaging, or creating content that connects across channels.
  • Beyond strategy, I help deliver the work, shaping presentations with a strong arc and call to action, managing online and in-person events, and coordinating technical production for studio and Teams Live broadcasts. I also collaborate closely with agencies, from brief and scripting to talent management and final delivery.
  • Expertise
  • Internal & leadership communications
  • Strategic narrative & messaging
  • Content strategy & creation: speeches, video, digital, social
  • Event & broadcast delivery: messaging to production management (studio, Teams Live)
  • Product comms & go-to-market support
  • Change & transformation communications
  • Interim / project-based comms support
  • Currently on pause - not taking any clients*
  • I also run North Star Sessions - one-to-one conversations blending strategic clarity with intuitive guidance. They’re for leaders, creatives, and founders who want direction they can trust and space to hear themselves think.
AnnouncementsJournalismMessagingInternal CommunicationsStrategic CommunicationsSharePoint+4

Vattenfall

Senior Change Communications Consultant

May 2025Apr 2026 · 11 mos · Stockholm, Stockholm County, Sweden · Hybrid

  • Providing strategic and hands-on communications support to a Digital Transformation Programme within Business Area Wind.
  • I work directly with the programme team and leadership to build awareness and understanding of the transformation - developing narratives, tools, and content that connect the strategy to people’s everyday work.
  • Key contributions include:
  • Developing and delivering the overall communications plan
  • Creating a master presentation, messaging framework, and key messaging house
  • Writing leadership messaging, presentations, and internal content
  • Advising senior leaders on communications approach and tone
  • Coordinating virtual drop-in sessions and management team deep dives
  • Supporting the production of an awareness video and other materials
  • Current focus: awareness and understanding of the transformation, with upcoming work on engagement and leadership enablement.
AnnouncementsJournalismInternal CommunicationsSharePointChange ManagementChange Communications+1

Ericsson

2 roles

Communications Manager

Jun 2022Jan 2025 · 2 yrs 7 mos

  • Led internal and external communications for 5G Core, aligning strategy, storytelling, and leadership messaging across global teams.
  • Developed and delivered strategic communications covering business strategy, financial results, and product positioning.
  • Strengthened 5G Core’s media and market presence through press releases, thought-leadership content, influencer engagement, and campaign activations.
  • Launched and managed the Core Networks Talks series - fireside chats with technology and innovation leaders to bring strategy to life.
  • Created and delivered executive presentations and live events to align employees behind strategic priorities.
  • Designed and executed a Microsoft Viva Engage campaign for Mobile World Congress, achieving 650K+ impressions, 60+ posts, and 40% engagement across 30K+ employees.
  • Partnered with product, portfolio, and strategy teams to drive internal engagement and understanding of strategic direction.
  • Owned strategic messaging for M&A and product sunset initiatives, ensuring internal alignment and external transparency.
  • Advised the SA Core Networks Leadership Team on executive communications, internal events, and social strategy.
Social Media StrategyAnnouncementsFinancial CommunicationsTeamworkProduct LaunchAgile Project Management+45

Digital Transformation Communication Manager

Aug 2019May 2022 · 2 yrs 9 mos

  • Led the communications strategy for DGS::Next, a major transformation programme within Ericsson Digital Services. Recognised with the Ericsson Impact Award for driving vision clarity and employee engagement.
  • Designed and delivered a communications strategy that connected business ambition with employee experience, contributing to a top-three global ranking for engagement.
  • Produced a suite of content and experiences - including intranet features, live events, and the transformation film The Code That Never Sleeps - to inspire awareness and belief in the change journey.
  • Featured as a case study in transformation storytelling at Ericsson’s external corporate analyst briefing.
  • Integrated Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) communications into the broader DGS::Next narrative, increasing awareness of end-to-end processes across R&D and operations (cloud native, CI/CD, and industrialisation).
  • Used storytelling and events to embed a customer-first mindset across business and R&D teams.
  • Member of the R&D Leadership Team, DGS::Next Project Team, and Transformation Steering Group.
AnnouncementsFinancial CommunicationsTeamworkProduct LaunchAgile Project ManagementCase Studies+37

Xylem inc.

Internal Communications Manager

Sep 2017Jul 2019 · 1 yr 10 mos · Stockholm, Sweden

  • Partnered with HR and executive leadership to communicate strategic priorities, behavioural expectations, and focus areas - helping drive urgency and support the shift toward profitability.
  • Improved internal communication effectiveness by introducing performance metrics, setting engagement baselines, and enabling continuous improvement across the global business area.
  • Led the internal launch of Workplace by Facebook in Sweden, creating new channels for collaboration and engagement.
  • Modernised financial communications by implementing Poppulo campaigns, infographics, and video updates - significantly increasing understanding of quarterly results.
  • This role laid the foundation for the data-driven yet human communications approach I bring to every project today.
AnnouncementsFinancial CommunicationsTeamworkProduct LaunchAgile Project ManagementCase Studies+37

Career break

Relocation

Sep 2017Sep 2017 · 0 mo · Stockholm, Stockholm County, Sweden

  • Relocated from London to Stockholm in 2017, opening a new chapter in my internal and strategic communications career with a focus on international organisations.
AnnouncementsFinancial CommunicationsProduct LaunchAgile Project ManagementCase StudiesProject Planning+33

Ee

Senior Manager Internal Communications

Feb 2017Aug 2017 · 6 mos · London Area, United Kingdom · On-site

  • Developed and delivered internal communication strategies to support organisational change and operational transformation across Marketing, Commercial, Finance, and HR.
  • Created clear messaging frameworks, executive communications, and supporting materials that drove alignment and minimised disruption during transition.
  • Part of the wider internal communications community shaping BT Group’s transformation narrative.

Royal mail

Marketing Communications Manager

Apr 2016Feb 2017 · 10 mos · London Area, United Kingdom · On-site

  • Enabled the Sales team with messaging, tools, and insight to drive customer engagement and renewals - particularly during the peak Christmas trading season.
  • Supported £4M in sales revenue by producing six Delivery Matters research reports on online shopper behaviour, sparking proactive conversations with new and existing customers.
  • Partnered with creative agencies to deliver high-impact communications, including direct mail, publications, multimedia, and digital content.
  • This role strengthened my understanding of customer engagement and data-driven storytelling - foundations I continue to draw on in internal and strategic communications today.
AnnouncementsTeamworkProduct LaunchProject PlanningRelationship BuildingJournalism+21

Virgin atlantic airways

Internal Communications Manager

Jul 2015Mar 2016 · 8 mos · Crawley, West Sussex · On-site

  • Served as communications lead for AIR4, Virgin Atlantic’s largest change and technology transformation initiative.
  • Developed and implemented a strategic internal communications plan to position AIR4 as a business-critical transformation rather than a software upgrade.
  • Created messaging that clarified the programme’s impact across internal teams and the customer journey, building understanding, engagement, and alignment.
  • This role sparked my long-term interest in how clarity and storytelling can help people navigate complex change.
AnnouncementsProduct LaunchCase StudiesExternal CommunicationsProject PlanningRelationship Building+26

Experian

Internal Communications Manager

Oct 2014Jul 2015 · 9 mos · London, United Kingdom

  • Implemented integrated, cross-channel internal communications strategies to support organisational goals, with a focus on fraud and analytics awareness.
  • Delivered targeted and consistent communication that increased global employee engagement by 10% across 2,500 employees.
  • This role strengthened my skills in connecting complex topics to clear, relatable messages — a principle that continues to guide my work today.
AnnouncementsProduct LaunchProject PlanningRelationship BuildingCorporate EventsJournalism+29

Financial conduct authority

Senior Manager Internal Communications

Dec 2013May 2014 · 5 mos · London Area, United Kingdom · On-site

  • Led internal communications for the Consumer Credit business change programme, supporting the seamless transfer of more than 100 employees from a government department to the FCA.
  • Achieved a 99% positive response rate among transferred staff through targeted messaging, on-site engagement, and clear, timely updates.
  • Managed internal channels, crafted content, and delivered events to maintain clarity, morale, and connection during a sensitive organisational transition.
  • This role deepened my understanding of the human side of regulatory transformation and the importance of transparency in times of change.
AnnouncementsFinancial CommunicationsCase StudiesProject PlanningRelationship BuildingJournalism+25

Career break

Relocation

May 2013Nov 2013 · 6 mos · London Area, United Kingdom

  • Relocated from Melbourne to London to broaden my international communications experience and focus more intentionally on change and transformation.
  • During this period, I travelled, transitioned into the UK market, and completed a short contract while establishing my professional network in a new environment.
AnnouncementsTeamworkSocial ChangeProject PlanningRelationship BuildingCorporate Events+28

Ge capital australia & new zealand

Internal Communications Manager

Oct 2011Apr 2013 · 1 yr 6 mos · Victoria, Australia · On-site

  • Launched the Building Better Businesses commercial value proposition to 4,600 employees across Australia and New Zealand through storytelling, video, articles, a “Dragon’s Den” innovation competition, and a pioneering live webcast connecting four sites.
  • Led communications for a sensitive office relocation, collaborating with HR, operations, senior leadership, and local managers to co-create a respectful, well-planned approach - resulting in informed employees and strong engagement. Recognised with a company award for Inclusiveness.
  • Directed strategic communications for M&A initiatives, supporting internal and external stakeholders during major transitions.
  • This role strengthened my ability to communicate complex organisational change with empathy, creativity, and precision - a thread that’s shaped every role since.

Coles group

Communications Specialist

Jul 2008Sep 2011 · 3 yrs 2 mos · Victoria, Australia · On-site

  • Established the first internal communications function for Coles Express, creating channels, content, and leadership engagement practices from the ground up.
  • Managed media relations, monitoring, and reporting, including proactive and reactive press handling, customer issues, and crisis communications.
  • Supported government relations and maintained strategic alignment with fuel partner Shell, acting as the key liaison for brand and partnership communications.
  • This role built the foundation of my communications career - combining storytelling, structure, and stakeholder management in a fast-paced, high-visibility environment.
AnnouncementsTeamworkExternal CommunicationsProject PlanningRelationship BuildingCorporate Events+27

Dairy australia

Communications Specialist

Jan 2008Jun 2008 · 5 mos · Victoria, Australia · On-site

  • Developed and executed a media relations strategy, working closely with executive spokespeople to strengthen messaging and achieve impactful coverage.
  • Led media outreach for the annual Dairy Situation & Outlook report, increasing visibility and public engagement across industry channels.
  • Implemented internal media policies and coordinated executive media training to ensure consistent, confident external communication.
  • Contributed to The Dairy Australian publication as a writer, supporting broader communication and stakeholder engagement goals.
  • This role gave me a solid foundation in media relations and stakeholder communication, which evolved into my later focus on internal and change communications.
AnnouncementsTeamworkExternal CommunicationsProject PlanningRelationship BuildingCorporate Events+37

Cpa australia

2 roles

Communications Manager, Singapore - Secondment / Internal Assignment

Jul 2006Aug 2006 · 1 mo

AnnouncementsTeamworkSocial ChangeExternal CommunicationsProject PlanningRelationship Building+28

Communications Manager

Oct 2005Dec 2007 · 2 yrs 2 mos

  • Led national and state-level public awareness campaigns focused on education and behaviour change.
  • Project lead for SCAMwatch, a national media and member-education campaign in partnership with an Australian government taskforce, raising awareness of fraud and scams targeting small businesses.
  • Directed a public awareness campaign on problem gambling with the Victorian Department of Justice, supporting behaviour change through strategic communication.
  • Authored a cover feature for CPA Australia’s In the Black magazine, profiling Jenny Peachey, then Executive Director at Victoria Police, on leadership and gender in male-dominated industries.
  • These projects cemented my early interest in clear, human storytelling as a tool for change - the thread that continues through all my work today.
AnnouncementsTeamworkSocial ChangeExternal CommunicationsRelationship BuildingJournalism+24

Education

Monash University

Bachelor of Communication

Jan 1997Jan 2000

Monash University

Bachelor of Tourism

Jan 1997Jan 2000

Corporate Public Affairs Institute

Corporate Public Affairs Institute — One week intensive residential program

Jan 2010Jan 2010

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