Katherine M. Sauer, Ph.D.


Meet Katie.

Katherine Sauer speaking into a microphone Katherine Sauer hiking in Death Valley, CA Katherine Sauer wearing a headset Katherine Sauer doing a headstand in a rice field in Bali Katherine Sauer gesturing during a presentation
Katherine Sauer in a green and yellow dress, smiling Katherine Sauer presenting at a conference Katherine Sauer doing a yoga pose on a beach at sunset Katherine Sauer serving on a panel Katherine Sauer in a pink blazer, smiling

My professional endeavors are best summarized by the term "portfolio career".

Check out the Projects tab for my current portfolio of work.

I've been a professor, nonprofit executive, investment consultant, yoga teacher, international speaker, entrepreneur, nutritionist, and coach.

As a life-long learner, I have earned credentials and pursued training in multiple areas including:

  • Professional Coach Training from Co-Active;
  • Certificate in Change Leadership from Cornell University;
  • Certified Holistic Nutritionist, Certified Weight Management Specialist, Certified Nutrition and Wellness Consultant from American Fitness Professionals & Associates;
  • Certified Yoga Teacher from Yoga Pod (a Yoga Alliance accredited program);
  • Nonprofit Leadership Executive Education from Center for Nonprofit Management, Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University;
  • Mental Health First Aid USA from National Council for Behavioral Health;
  • Doctorate in Economics from University of Colorado, Boulder.

I'm also a nationally recognized expert in personal finance education and research.


I earned my doctorate in economics in my twenties and spent a decade in higher education as a professor, administrator, and international speaker. In my executive roles at an investment consulting firm and national nonprofit, I had a hectic travel schedule and high-pressure responsibilities. Currently I am the principal at Ardent Acumen, the parent company of Burnout Proof (a workday vitality resource at beburnoutproof.com) and the workday-focused guided meditation app, FocusMinder (focusminder.com).


To cope with the demands of professional life, I began exploring various work-life wellness disciplines. I discovered yoga and meditation were powerful stress management tools, adopted good sleep hygiene to cure three decades of insomnia, cleaned up my diet, and learned to take good care of myself during work travel while still performing at a high level. In parallel, I curated frameworks and honed competencies related to personal productivity and email, leadership and management, challenging communications, change leadership, strategy, and coaching.


I grew up in Bismarck, North Dakota but you'll have to listen closely to hear any trace of that accent. Colorado is where I've called home for the past two decades. I enjoy creative pursuits like painting and dancing and love to travel. Puns are my preferred style of humor.


If you'd like a copy of my official C.V., please ask. You can also skim my LinkedIn profile.

a graphic of a yellow lemon slice


Sauer is pronounced "sour", like a lemon.