Cass Cooper: Transforming Culture and Empowering Women

Imperial Council Member, Cass R. Cooper, MHR, is a research-driven content creator and the visionary founder of Know Better, Do Better Consulting, reaching over 3 million unique users monthly. Cass partners with organizations to cultivate thriving, inclusive corporate cultures, bridging knowledge gaps while amplifying the voices of individuals. Her work ensures workplaces are not only efficient but genuinely equitable, fostering belonging and growth at every level.

With a Bachelor’s Degree in Women’s and Gender Studies from DePaul University and a Master’s in Human Relations, Inclusive Leadership from The University of Oklahoma, Cass’s expertise lies at the intersection of people, processes, and organizational culture. She transforms chaos into coherent strategies that prioritize individuals without compromising institutional goals.

A Personal Mission: Equity Through Experience

Cass’s commitment to inclusion is deeply personal. Early in her career, she recognized the challenges women, particularly women of color, face in male-dominated industries. Her efforts to mentor, guide, and elevate others stem from a belief that access and opportunity should not be gatekept but shared. As she explains, her mission is to make the path easier for those who follow, ensuring that women can “just show up” and claim their place at the table.

Her leadership philosophy goes beyond corporate culture. Cass sees mentorship and guidance as acts of empowerment, helping rising professionals navigate complex environments with confidence. Her work demonstrates that real progress is achieved not just by occupying space but by lifting others along the way.

Know Better, Do Better Consulting

Through her consulting firm, Cass collaborates with clients to build inclusive cultures, optimize institutional processes, and leverage existing strengths. Her approach is holistic: fostering belonging while bridging knowledge gaps ensures that organizations do not just operate, they thrive. Whether through strategic advisory or hands-on training, Cass’s work equips teams to embrace equity as a core value rather than an afterthought.

Beyond the Boardroom

Outside of her professional endeavors, Cass is an avid reader, podcast enthusiast, and devoted mother. Her curiosity and creativity extend to storytelling, she’s currently exploring ways to transform her personal experiences into fiction and non-fiction works that inspire and educate. She also champions initiatives that amplify underrepresented voices, ensuring that histories and stories long kept behind closed doors are shared and celebrated.

Why She Joined Empressa’s Imperial Council

Cass joined Empressa Imperial Council to connect with like-minded women and amplify her impact. She values Empressa’s commitment to building platforms “by women, for women”, where members uplift one another, share expertise, and collaborate to drive meaningful change. As she puts it, being part of Empressa means joining a circle where women’s voices are not only heard… they’re celebrated.

Key Takeaways from Cass Cooper’s Work

• Equity is actionable: Building inclusive cultures requires deliberate strategies, not just good intentions.
• Mentorship matters: Guiding others opens doors for women and underrepresented professionals to thrive.
• Continuous learning fuels impact: Understanding gaps, researching solutions, and implementing best practices drives sustainable change.
• Amplifying voices: Encouraging women to lead boldly and claim space makes a tangible difference in professional environments.

A Voice That Resounds: When Cass’s Post Went Viral

Cass recently shared an experiment on LinkedIn that sparked a powerful conversation about race, gender, and visibility online. Her post drew significant engagement and opened important dialogue across the platform.

If you’d like to explore the conversation yourself, you can read her full post here on LinkedIn:

Inspired by Cass Cooper’s work? Connect with a community of women shaping the future of AI and business. Join Empressa AI today to learn, collaborate, and elevate your impact