​Kate Plato has spent her 22 year marketing career helping individuals and teams from Fortune 100 and Fortune 500 companies increase market share and drive business with results driven marketing strategy and content. Kate is a sought after consultant with a reputation for getting results and has had the privilege of helping clients including Wal-Mart, JC Penny, Wells Fargo, McDonalds, FranklinCovey, Pizza Hut, and Lifetouch launch products, develop compelling campaigns, establish relationship-based, repeat business and drive sales with sound marketing strategy and meticulous execution. The desire to align inspiration and purpose with talent and tenacity, along with an executive level RTC marketing position that came with a challenge to brand programs and expand market share, lured Kate into the mental and behavioral health industry.

 

The challenge to define and unconventionally meet the marketing requirements of private pay treatment programs was a challenge she couldn’t refuse, however, the unanticipated introduction to one of the largest, most widespread problems faced by both treatment programs and families came as a surprise. Until entering the treatment industry a few years ago, she had no idea that the very best treatment resources the industry has to offer were unaffordable for the majority of the children and families that need them. As the mother of a child with learning disabilities, Kate also quickly connected with another sobering realization: learning disabilities and mental health issues often coexist and resources that can most effectively address them simultaneously are both scarce and often unaffordable. It didn’t take long to realize that the affordability issue had become an epidemic and has been systematically crippling individuals and families across the country for years.

 

The side effects of this newfound awareness began with distraction, progressed to preoccupation, and eventually inspired the treatment industries’ newest marketing “professional” to devote her tenacity, expertise, and energy to finding and providing some solutions to these widespread problems. With a lot of hard work, a little luck, and a bit of divine intervention, these solutions evolved into the resources, support, and services now offered by the Azure Foundation.

With plenty of research and the opportunity to see Equine activities in action, Kate was able to see the unique benefits and broad application for Equine Assisted Learning , the profound impact it can have on individuals and families that have experienced it,  and the unique crossover of application therapeutically and educationally.  This application has led to her contributions to the Azure Programs and the life changing results they produce.

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In addition to her role as President and CEO of the Azure Foundation, Kate enjoys taking on consulting projects that allow her to “leap tall marketing obstacles with a single bound”, doting on her three amazing daughters, and being lovingly driven to distraction by her ADHD infused, right-hand, white knight of a husband. Polarly opposite peas in a pod, together, they are tireless champions of healthy, happy families.