LauraMac Team Spotlight: Katie McMillin

Title: Director of PMO

Location: Dana Point, CA

ABOUT YOUR CAREER

Who is your most important mentor?

My mentor has always been my mom, even though she spent her career in finance and doesn’t know much about technology or project management. She’s always been there to support and give me advice whenever I call. She taught me to be strong, independent, and the type of leader I wanted to be.

What is the best advice you’ve ever received?

Focus on empowering others: It builds trust, enhances collaboration, and leads to better outcomes for everyone. I learned that true leadership is about creating an environment where others feel valued and capable. Empowering others means giving them the tools, support, and confidence to succeed.

What was your first job?

I didn’t have your typical high school first job - I worked in the shipping department at a wholesale mortgage company, sending loan packages to servicers. When you have family in the mortgage industry, you just join in!

GENERAL LIFE

What do you do in your downtime?

There isn’t a lot of downtime when you have a toddler that is full of life and has a ton of energy, but in my spare time I serve as president of the booster club at my son’s school. I also work with an epilepsy foundation in my area. They did - and still do - so much for my family and I, especially when we learned our son was diagnosed with epilepsy at the age of one. I will do anything to help them and other families who are navigating the journey of raising a child with epilepsy.

What is your personal motto? 

“Embrace the journey, trust the process, and shine through every challenge.” Sometimes life can take you down a different path than you expected, and it can be scary, but you need to embrace it and know that you can make the best of it by learning and growing.