About Katherine D. Monson

Katherine Monson is a seasoned executive leader focused on growing capital-intensive businesses (Energy, Aerospace & Defense). Katherine specializes in leading companies through transformational inflection points (e.g., market or technology disruptions).

Katherine is an Advisor, Board Member, and Executive Coach. She supports client companies through transitional periods, leading product development and strategic change initiatives.

Previously, Katherine served as the Chief Operating Officer (COO) for Hedron. Hedron is a telecommunications company supporting satellites that collect critical data for U.S. Government and Commercial end users. The core IP developments are laser communications technology – a proprietary, US-designed terminal that is optimized for small satellites.

Prior to joining Hedron, Katherine served as the founding CEO of KSAT Inc. for Kongsberg Satellite Services (KSAT). KSAT is a world-leading provider of ground station services for satellites, rocket launchers, and experimental spacecraft. During Katherine’s tenure, KSAT supported over 96% of commercial satellites launched into NGSO and launched the disruptive KSATlite product line, focused on servicing the “New Space” segment. Katherine also brokered strategic partnerships with Microsoft and Amazon, transforming a potential competitive threat into a collaborative productive relationship.

Katherine is a negotiation specialist, focusing on strategic partnerships, go-to-market strategics, and structuring teams and organization for high-performance results. Prior to her work in aerospace, Katherine was a consultant for C-suite executives at Fortune 500 companies, specializing in high-stakes negotiations for clients such as, Dartmouth University, a Big Four Consulting Firm, a Fortune 5 Oil and Gas company, and a top three US Network Entertainment company. Katherine began her career as a Fellow at the U.S. Department of Defense, where she supported International Negotiations around joint research and development efforts. 

Katherine is an avid hiker and biker. She enjoys learning new languages and exploring new places. She lives in Boulder County, Colorado.