A Candid Approach to Leadership
Meet Kim Mackey, MS, CVPM
KimMackey is the founder of Candid Approach Consulting, where she helps leaders build stronger, more effective teams through honest communication, practical leadership strategies, and real-world solutions.
Kim brings a rare and powerful perspective shaped by two distinct careers. She spent over 30 years in the criminal justice field, including 22 years as a State Parole Supervisor, where she developed deep expertise in de-escalation, conflict resolution, and human behavior. She pairs this with more than 15 years in the veterinary industry, where she worked her way from receptionist to Certified Veterinary Practice Manager (CVPM).
This unique combination allows Kim to approach team challenges differently—helping practices improve communication, address conflict head-on, and create safer, more accountable workplace cultures.
In addition to her consulting work, Kim is a sought-after speaker and workshop facilitator, known for her straightforward, engaging style and ability to turn complex team dynamics into practical, actionable takeaways. She regularly presents at veterinary clinics, leadership groups, and industry conferences.
Kim is also a passionate educator, serving as an Adjunct Professor for over a decade at three local Universities, and is the secretary on the certification Board for the VHMA (Veterinary Hospital Managers Association).
Through all of her work, Kim is committed to one thing: helping teams stop avoiding problems and start building stronger, healthier ways of working—together.
Speaking Lectures & Conferences
From Frazzled to Focused: Navigating Stress in Veterinary Medicine
(1) Managing the Rotten Apple: How to make your team into the perfect apple pie! (2) From Frazzled to Focused: Navigating Stress in Veterinary Medicine
Topic: Safety: it’s not just a job, it’s an adventure. Ways to make safety fun for your staff.
(1) De-escalation and Verbal Communication. Lecture (2) The 3 S’s of Hiring – Savvy, Smart, and Secure.
De-escalation and Verbal Communication
Leadership and Managing Conversations
Life/Work Balance: How to Manage in a Stressful Environment
De-escalation And Verbal Communication Skills
De-escalation and Verbal Communication
De-escalation and Verbal Communication
The Good, The Bad, The Ugly: Keeping a Work/Life Balance While Teleworking
(1) The 3 S’s of Hiring – Savvy, Smart, and Secure (2) – Drugs – Signs and Symptoms of Abuse