What if the path to the top isn’t straight up—but sideways?

In this episode of The Pivot Experience, we sit down with Kathy Kirchner, Senior Vice President at Zayo, whose unconventional journey from small-town Montana to leading 11,000+ employees across global telecom giants is proof that success doesn’t follow a script.

Kathy opens up about her early years working three part-time jobs to pay off student loans, her unexpected pivot from music to telecommunications, and the mindset that fueled her rise through constant change. She shares raw insights on resilience, leading through disruption, and why saying “yes” to lateral opportunities can often be the boldest move a leader can make.

From launching Xfinity Mobile to reentering the workforce after retirement “just for the challenge,” Kathy’s story is a masterclass in curiosity, grit, and growth. Whether you’re navigating uncertainty, craving a career reset, or rethinking what leadership really looks like—this episode will remind you that your next big opportunity might not look like a promotion at all.

🎧 Listen now and get inspired to pivot with purpose, take risks that stretch you, and redefine what winning really means.