As a former Fortune 100 senior executive and the founder of a global leadership consultancy, Sarah Hathorn has spent decades equipping leaders to navigate complex changes successfully. Today, she sees a growing challenge across industries. “Business leaders are facing a perfect storm,” says Hathorn, CEO of Hathorn Consulting Group and a member of the Gwinnett Chamber’s Chairman’s Club and the Gwinnett Chamber Board of Directors. “With economic pressures, rapid technological advances and a new workforce, the environment can be difficult. But there’s a lot of opportunity for growth for those with the right mindset and the perspective to see it.”
Hathorn brings a powerful approach to that challenge, shaped by corporate success — including navigating eight mergers and acquisitions at retail giant Macy’s — nearly 20 years as a consultant and a career that spans Gwinnett County to global markets. Since launching her firm, she has worked with companies across 39 countries and 40 industries, from emerging businesses to household names like Kimberly-Clark, Home Depot and Georgia Power. “I partner with organizations to deliver dramatic results by developing talent, building productive teams, streamlining processes and driving profitability at every level of the organization,” explains Hathorn.
Creating Predictable Success in Unpredictable Times
One of Hathorn’s signature achievements is a system called “Predictable Promotion®,” which she developed to address one of the most costly — and avoidable — issues in leadership: failure after promotion. “Research shows that nearly 60 percent of new leaders fail within the first 18 months,” she says. “In researching this problem, I have found that it’s not for a lack of ambition. It’s a gap in readiness.”
Through her proprietary framework, Hathorn equips high-potential leaders with the skills and mindset needed to succeed, including competencies like executive presence, strategic communication, personal brand and resilience. “The goal is not just to earn the next role, but to excel in it,” says Hathorn.
Her approach resonates especially well with growing companies in Gwinnett. “I see so much potential among small and mid-sized businesses here,” she says. “Some aren’t thinking big enough. With the right leadership development, succession planning and organizational alignment, they could achieve much more.”
Three Essentials for Modern Leadership
Whether advising a multinational corporation or a fast-growing local firm, Hathorn encourages leaders to focus on three key aspects:
- Talent. “It’s essential to build a strong talent pipeline,” she says. “With 10,000 Baby Boomers retiring every day, leaders need to be developing talent constantly and creating cultures that retain it.”
- Innovation. Innovation must be a daily habit, according to Hathorn. “Technology — and specifically AI — is disrupting almost every industry. I encourage clients to create a culture that rewards experimentation and progress, not perfection, so the business can better capitalize on innovation,” she notes.
- Resiliency and adaptability. In today’s unpredictable markets, Hathorn says these qualities are critical to survival. “Leaders need to be able to adjust their course in real time without sacrificing team alignment,” she adds.
Coming Full Circle in Gwinnett
Hathorn has been part of the Gwinnett Chamber since founding her consultancy in 2006. As her firm grew globally, she spent more time abroad, but today, she’s refocusing closer to home. “Gwinnett is home. I’m eager to help businesses here grow and thrive,” she says.
Her involvement with the Chairman’s Club has accelerated that effort. “The Chairman’s Club provides access to senior leaders who understand the weight of leadership,” she says. “The conversations are productive and genuine with a shared focus on growth and problem-solving.”
Hathorn sees Gwinnett’s business landscape as uniquely positioned for continued success. “We have strong infrastructure, proximity to the world’s busiest airport, and a real commitment to economic development,” she says. “But more than anything, it’s the people. When leaders collaborate with intention, we elevate not only our own companies, but our entire community.”