From Curiosity to Confidence: Taking Risks, Leading with People, and Building a Life That Grows With You

Host: Christine Hummel
Guest: Kam (Kathy Anne) McManus, Chief Customer Officer at CDK Global

🌱 Episode Overview

In this episode of Root to Rising, host Christine Hummel sits down with Kam McManus—global leader, mentor, and Chief Customer Officer at CDK Global—for an honest and powerful conversation about career pivots, leadership, risk-taking, and redefining success on your own terms.

From starting her career in media and entertainment in Australia to leading customer experience organizations across multiple industries and continents, Kam shares how curiosity, connection, and courage shaped her professional journey. This episode is a must-listen for women navigating career transitions, leadership roles, and the realities of balancing ambition with family life.

✨ What You’ll Learn

• Why skills and characteristics matter more than industry experience
• How taking risks—even when they feel uncomfortable—can unlock unexpected growth
• The importance of listening as a leadership skill
• How to build confidence when stepping into roles you don’t feel “fully ready” for
• What it really looks like to balance career, motherhood, and partnership
• Why mentorship isn’t something you wait for—it’s something you practice early
• How resilience and adaptability shape long-term success

🔑 Key Takeaways

• Leadership is a privilege, not a rite of passage
• You don’t need to check every box to be qualified—growth happens in the gaps
• Confidence often comes after courage, not before
• Strong partnerships—at work and at home—are game changers
• Listening deeply creates stronger teams, better outcomes, and meaningful connection
• Failure isn’t the end of the story; it’s part of the process

🌍 Kam’s Journey Highlights

• Born and raised in Sydney, Australia; now based in the U.S.
• Career spanning media, technology, telecommunications, and automotive industries
• Led global teams across Asia-Pacific, Australia, and the United States
• Former entrepreneur who built and ran her own consulting practice
• Passionate mentor and advocate for women in leadership
• Proud mom of three adult children and proof that there’s no single “right” path

💬 Memorable Quotes

“Leadership is a privilege, not a rite of passage.”

“If someone offers you an opportunity, it’s because they see something in you—believe them.”

“You can have both a career and a family, but you can’t be perfect at both—and that’s okay.”

“Listen more than you speak. That’s where real connection happens.”