Kathryn
Minshew
2025 Laureate
Laureate photo by Peter Lueders
Kathryn Minshew is redefining how people find purpose and build their careers. As co-founder and CEO of The Muse, she created a global platform that helps millions of job seekers find meaningful work and helps companies connect with talent through transparency and culture. Kathryn’s story reflects what happens when innovation meets purpose—when technology is used to elevate opportunity, not just efficiency.
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1985
Born (United States)
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2007
Graduated from Duke University
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2011
Founded The Muse
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2012
Named to the Forbes 30 Under 30 list for the second time
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2017
Published The New Rules of Work
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2022
Acquires Fairgodyboss
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2025
Inducted into the Global Business Hall of Fame
Kathryn’s journey into entrepreneurship began with a simple frustration: the traditional job-search experience did not reflect the real world of work. After graduating from Duke University, she joined McKinsey & Company, where she gained a front-row view of how business strategy and human motivation intersect. Those early experiences sparked a deeper question about how people could find not just employment, but fulfillment.
In 2011, Kathryn co-founded The Muse, a career-development platform designed to transform the way people explore companies and build professional paths. The Muse offered something revolutionary at the time: multimedia company profiles, career advice from experts, and tools that allowed job seekers to match their skills and values to real organizations. Kathryn’s belief that career discovery should be honest, visual, and personal helped her turn a small startup into a trusted resource for more than 75 million users worldwide.
Her leadership has been recognized for reshaping the future of work and for advocating for greater inclusion in hiring and workplace culture. Kathryn has spoken at the United Nations, Fortune's Most Powerful Women, the Fast Company Innovation Festival, and the Wall Street Journal Future of Work on the changing nature of careers and the importance of transparency in employment.
In 2022, Kathryn oversaw The Muse’s acquisition of Fairygodboss.com—the leading online career platform for women. Fairygodboss reaches more than 10 million women, offering community support, practical career insights, virtual and in-person events, and a database of 50,000+ employee reviews focused on gender equity and women’s workplace experiences.
Before launching The Muse, Kathryn worked on vaccine introduction in Rwanda and Malawi with the Clinton Health Access Initiative. The experience deepened her commitment to empowering people to chart their own paths through access to knowledge and networks. At The Muse, she continues that mission every day, building a platform that helps individuals see what’s possible and companies see the human side of hiring.
Kathryn is also the co-author of the bestselling book The New Rules of Work: The Modern Playbook for Navigating Your Career, which translates her vision of accessible career guidance into practical advice for a new generation of professionals.
“The most powerful thing you can do for your career is own it—because no one else can do that for you.”
A Global Force for Good
Kathryn Minshew’s influence extends well beyond technology and employment. Through The Muse, she has helped democratize access to career information, mentorship, and opportunity for millions of people. Her work challenges the old boundaries between employer and employee and has redefined how organizations communicate their values to the world.
By advocating for transparency, equity, and inclusion, Kathryn continues to create space for individuals to discover their strengths and build meaningful careers. Her leadership reflects the JA Worldwide mission to prepare young people for the future of work, equipping them with the skills and confidence to thrive in a rapidly changing world.
