From rural classrooms to leading a mission-driven nonprofit, Kat Ling shares her journey of transforming education and leadership, cultivating inclusive communities, and empowering leaders to innovate for youth most on the margins.
Kat Ling is the CEO of Moonshot, where she leads a team of ten staff and an alumni network of over 100 education leaders. Known for her expertise in education, leadership development, and social impact, Kat has dedicated her career to creating opportunities for underrepresented communities. Her work spans from teaching fourth grade in rural Mississippi through Teach For America to redesigning Moonshot’s fellowship model into a virtual platform that supports diverse leaders nationwide.
Her journey has been shaped by both personal loss and profound community influence. Losing her mother to breast cancer at age ten, Kat found strength and guidance in her multigenerational family and local community. These early experiences fueled her lifelong commitment to social justice, equity, and cultivating networks that nurture young leaders. From confronting racial isolation as an Asian American student to navigating leadership roles across Mississippi, Arkansas, and Colorado, Kat has consistently turned challenges into catalysts for growth.
In this conversation, Kat shares practical insights for building sustainable leadership ecosystems. She emphasizes the importance of decisiveness, mentorship, and intentional community building, highlighting how Moonshot provides both a physical and social infrastructure for emerging leaders. Kat also reflects on maintaining personal balance amid high travel and professional demands, demonstrating that self-care, rituals, and selective engagement are essential for thriving as a CEO.
Listeners will gain a masterclass in inclusive leadership, systemic thinking, and how to nurture communities that elevate collective potential. Kat’s story illustrates that leadership is not just about individual achievement, but about creating ecosystems where others can flourish. Tune in to learn how vision, resilience, and deliberate mentorship can transform both organizations and lives.
Chapters
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00:31 Meet Kat Ling, CEO of Moonshot
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01:22 Kat’s Upcoming Travels and Personal Life
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06:02 Kat’s Origin Story and Early Influences
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14:23 Navigating Identity and Finding Community
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29:05 Expanding the Moonshot Fellowship’s Impact
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30:11 The Importance of Community and Connection
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32:23 Leadership Lessons and Identity Insights
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35:29 Innovations and Challenges in Education
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44:14 Reflections on Leadership and Personal Growth
Links
Website:
MoonshotConnect with Kat:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/kat-ling-34981620/Check out Kat Ling’s LinkedIn and explore Moonshot’s fellowship and leadership programs to see how communities of inclusive leaders are creating real impact for youth and education equity.
Stay strong.
Episode 3