Kay Kutt's Transformational Journey from Shyness to CEO
Kay Kutt’s Transformational Journey from Shyness to CEO
Kay Kutt, the visionary CEO of Silk Relo, wasn’t always the confident leader you see today. During her school days, she was notably shy. But as she approached 30, she discovered the transformative power of curiosity and connecting with people.
For 14 years, Kay oversaw mobility across 14 Asia-Pacific nations and territories as the Managing Director, Relocation Services Asia for Asian Tigers Group. When the brand transitioned to Silk Relo in 2020, Kay took the helm as its CEO. Behind her initial reticence lay a fiercely entrepreneurial spirit, exemplified when she started her first venture at just 16 – an office cleaning company.
The Hong Kong-based CEO highlights the importance of mentorship, especially from women leaders, in her career growth. Having shifted homes 25 times in her life, Kay embodies adaptability. This fluidity traces back to her childhood, where her helicopter pilot father, who later became a company president, took her on business trips, instilling a global perspective.
Although she holds a Fine Arts degree in Ballet and Geography from Toronto’s York University, destiny brought her to Hong Kong. Here, she connected with her brother’s business and met her life partner. Before venturing into the relocation realm, she served in positions at Hong Kong business center operators and played pivotal roles in Cendant, Paragon, GMAC, and the Asian Tigers China team.
With COVID reshaping the relocation landscape, Kay stresses the need for companies to reassess their mobility strategies. As the regulations become intricate, there’s an increasing lean towards remote working options. Yet, she points out that while technology plays a key role, the human touch remains paramount.
Kay’s commitment to diversity is palpable. Under her leadership, Silk Relo and its affiliates became the first-ever companies to achieve the D&I ISO 30415:2021 certification by HRSI. Despite her corporate responsibilities, Kay attributes part of her growth to her volunteer work with organizations like the American Chamber of Commerce and the HRCI.
Balancing her demanding role and frequent international travels, Kay underlines the essence of mental wellbeing and effective time management, remarking, “Time is not renewable. Use it wisely.” Indeed, as she showcases, when well-used, time can witness a shy schoolgirl’s evolution into a global CEO.
Read more about Kay Kutt’s journey on the Think Global People website.
