Corporate Golf Spotlight: Mary Cathryn Rau

This week, I am elated to introduce Mary Cathryn Rau, the eldest sister of our previous Corporate Golf Spotlight: Elisabeth Rau. Mary Cathryn embodies integrity, poise, and leadership in every aspect of her life. Growing up alongside both sisters, Mary Cathryn was the older sister I never had. Even from a young age, her leadership was evident, and watching her journey unfold alongside my own has been nothing short of inspiring. Although she was a dedicated golfer during her collegiate years at Creighton University, Mary Cathryn always held her academic pursuits in equal esteem, balancing her passion for both knowledge and athletics with remarkable discipline.

Our recent weekend round of golf was a wonderful opportunity to reconnect, chat about friends, family, and careers, and reminisce about past tournaments. Golf has a way of bridging time, bringing us back to those early days when we played purely for the love of the game.

[Continue reading below for the full Q&A with Mary Cathryn]

Q&A with Mary Cathryn Rau

1. Let's begin with your background. Please give a brief intro about yourself. (How were you introduced to the game, where did you attend university, what did you study, and what is your current role?)

My name is Mary Cathryn Rau and I am from Dallas, Texas. I have a younger sister, Elisabeth and a younger brother, Jack, who both play golf as well.

Our dad introduced us to the game. When he was entering the corporate world, he would get asked to play in outings and had to learn golf as an adult.  He wanted us to have a basic understanding of the game so that if we were ever asked to play, we would feel comfortable and confident with being on the course. He enrolled the three of us in a junior golf camp one summer and from that point forward we were hooked. 

For Elisabeth and I, we went on to play at the collegiate level. I played at Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska, and got degrees in Finance and Marketing.  Since hanging up my competitive golf hat and I am now a corporate golfer showing up as the ringer for industry scrambles. I work at an insurance broker called IMA on our Private Equity and M&A team as a Project Manager.  I oversee due diligence workstreams for commercial insurance, employee benefits, and retirement for our clients contemplating a merger or acquisition.

2. Which skills or mindsets from your golfing career do you find most valuable now as a corporate professional? 

Strategic Thinking & Decision Making

On the course, every shot requires consideration of factors such as yardage, wind, lie, etc., before selecting a club and committing to a shot. The ability to analyze a situation, make an informed decision, and anticipate challenges has been valuable in my professional career as strategic thinking and foresight are essential for completing projects and achieving goals.

Teamwork

Golf was always an individual sport for me until I started college and my score no longer impacted just me. In college golf, five team members play at a tournament and you take the four lowest scores adding them up for the team score. I learned very quickly that individual success led to the team's success, a lesson that has been crucial in my professional life working on collaborative projects with colleagues.

3. How did your experience as a collegiate golfer shape your approach to challenges and opportunities in your professional career?

Golf has taught me the importance of resilience and adaptability, two qualities that are needed to navigate obstacles both on the golf course and in life.  It is a game of highs and lows, constantly finding yourself in situations where something didn't go according to plan.  I learned the importance of persevering through adversity or through unexpected turns.

In golf and in life, you have to focus what you can control. Good habits build a good process, and if we focus on a good process, we can trust that the result will go in our favor more often than not.

I have applied these same principles to my professional career.  Whether it is a moving deadline or a change in project scope, I am constantly being challenged to adapt, to find new solutions, and to implement a great process.  I have learned to focus on the things I can control and be flexible and resilient in the face of change. Most importantly, golf has taught me to come at problems with a solutions-oriented approach. You always have to finish the hole, and the job is not done until the ball is in the cup!

4. How has your golfing background influenced your leadership style particularly as a woman in the professional world?

Golf is a sport that requires mental toughness and demands the unwavering belief in your abilities.  Each shot, each round, each tournament is a test of fortitude and trusting in your capabilities in the face of adversity is a cornerstone of success. 

In a male-dominated sport like golf, developing confidence and self-belief was essential. These qualities have carried over into my professional career working in two male-dominated industries, insurance and private equity, allowing me to assert myself as a leader and advocate for my ideas. As a woman, I believe that confidence and self-belief are essential for breaking down barriers, taking on challenges, and inspiring others both inside and outside my organization.

5. How do you stay connected to the sport of golf now, and does it play a role in your professional networking or leisure activities?

Golf has taught me so many life lessons that I have taken with me off the course, but the greatest gift golf has given me is the time spent with people. I spend weekends playing with my sister and brother and we go on golf trips with our parents. Through playing competitive golf I have met some of my best friends, successful women both on and off the course, that I still keep in touch with today.

Golf has also enhanced my professional network and allowed me to cultivate relationships with colleagues at my company and partners outside of my organization. My ability to play has led to invitations and opportunities that might not otherwise be available and it has opened doors for me.

I am forever grateful for golf and that my parents gave me the opportunity to learn the game, because without golf, I would not be who I am or where I am today.

Connect with Mary Cathryn Rau on LinkedIn.