White Wisdom

In 1972 former Cosmopolitan editor-in-chief and author Kate White learned a lesson in business that would set the tone for future success.

Before becoming the editor-in-chief of five major magazines, White was a student at Union College – where she was named one of Glamour’s Top Ten College Women.

“It’s probably one of the greatest things in my life,” White tells PINK, “I got into the magazine business because of that.” She even modeled for a while after appearing on the cover. It was a transformative, experience forever etched in her heart.

“When people have some sort of makeover, I think that can be incredibly invigorating and life-changing … We all got Glamour makeovers and it really filled me with a lot of confidence that I carried with me,” remembers White.

But, White, already somewhat self-assured, didn’t win the contest playing it safe.

Knowing she needed to standout from the cool-looking Wellesley-type girls who always seemed to win, instead of writing about her goals for the future, she submitted an essay on why she had no goals.

She won and received her first lesson in business: breaking the rules gets you ahead.

Today, with an extraordinary magazine career under her belt, White is also a best-selling non-fiction and fiction author. In fact, she’s the pen behind the New York Times best-selling Bailey Weggins mystery series.

A wife of 27 years and mother of two, ages 26 and 23 – many would say she’s found a way to have it all. But, according to White, you never get it all.

“When you have kids you make tradeoffs. Kids bring a ton of responsibility,” she says,” You’re going to make tradeoffs in your marriage, too.”

She insists family should be the priority.

“No extra points from me if you work late instead of going to your kid’s volleyball game,” White insists.

Want to know more about how Kate found time to campout in Antartica, negotiate higher salaries and run the best-selling monthly magazine in its prime? Read the full feature.

By L. Nicole Williams

“Dare to set boundaries. Be the bossypants of your work/life intersection.” Kate White