Kot Hordyński is a strategist based in the SF Bay Area.

Creative thinker, connector, brand builder, contrarian, optimist.

WHAT I DO

Hi, I’m Kot. I’m a business strategy leader, design thinker, and storyteller who blends the creative and the technical. I combine years of experience in marketing with an MBA in Design Strategy to help teams and brands get. things. done.

I can help you launch your products, ensure you’re hearing your customers, and close gaps between brand, marketing, design, and operations.   

TLDR, I am here to hep you create inspiring products, amazing services, meaningful brands, or all of the above, on time and on budget.

I’m currently leading marketplace marketing for the Silicon Valley at Deloitte.

12+

years’ experience

MBA

in Design Strategy

10

years leading teams

SKILLS

  • Brand Strategy

  • Creative Direction

  • Communication Strategy

  • Design Thinking

  • Growth Strategy

  • Market Research

  • Program Development

  • Social Impact

SELECTED WORK

I’ve managed teams, led operations, prepared financial statements, art directed, set branding strategy, managed creative consultants, deployed communications work, presented to Boards, and everything in between. Here are some highlights:

A screenshot image of Comprehensive Rebrand work led by Kot Hordyński.

Comprehensive
Rebrand

Led a successful rebrand of a respected 20+ year-old brand; from research, ideation and storyboards, to stakeholder buy-in, communications strategy, and implementation.

A screenshot image of Operations Strategy Revamp work led by Kot Hordyński.

Operations Strategy Revamp

Worked with a fast-growing interior design studio to develop and launch a new operations strategy; led the leadership team to standardize service offerings, create a dynamic bid calculator, and implement a comprehensive growth plan.

A screenshot image of Business Model Innovation work led by Kot Hordyński.

Business Model Innovation

Developed an updated value proposition for a Richmond, VA mobile pantry; identified opportunities for business model innovation, then created business strategies to get there, with the goal of serving more customers, in more places, more efficiently. 

A screenshot image of Impact Evaluation work led by Kot Hordyński.

Impact
Evaluation

Designed and implemented a company-wide impact measurement and reporting strategy; collected 100s of data points and led a team of designers to create data visualizations, quarterly internal reports, and annual Impact Report, in print and online. 

(MORE) ABOUT ME

A photo of design strategist Kot Hordyński with his wife and son.

Two years ago I resolved to not be a doomer. Instead of spending my time despairing about the world’s countless problems, I decided to make myself an agent of positive change.

Yes, that sounds corny, I know, but I really believe that good things are possible if we believe they are, and we work hard to make them possible. It’s part of the reason I decided to get an MBA in Design Strategy (from an art school) and why I think my combination of business know-how and design strategy can be powerful on any team.

I am not a Jack of all trades but I am a master of many. And to me business strategy is the glue that brings them all together. I believe in curiosity, empathy, and details, and I’m a provider of real talk, hard work, and fun facts. I believe that progress is made in the gray areas and I find comfort in uncertainty. When I’m not working, I’m reading too much news or moonlighting as a photographer.

I live in Berkeley with my amazing wife, Lisa, and our two kids.