Independent Workplace Investigations
Rainier Workplace Consulting was founded by experienced attorney and workplace investigator, Kate McMahan, to conduct efficient and respectful workplace investigations for non-profit, public, and private sector clients of all industries. Kate provides clear, perceptive, and defensible findings and analysis to aid organizations in upholding their policies & values.
Hello,
I’m Kate.
I am an attorney and workplace investigator with more than 15 years of experience supporting organizations and employees through challenging workplace concerns. I bring a calm, thoughtful approach to every investigation, ensuring individuals feel heard and respected while providing clear, defensible findings aligned with organizational policies and values.
Approach
Every investigation involves real people navigating difficult concerns and circumstances. Employees deserve to be heard with respect, clarity, and care. Kate’s balanced approach supports psychological safety while providing leadership with reliable, objective findings they can trust.
Kate takes a thoughtful approach that:
Treats every individual with dignity
Reduces confusion and fear around the process through responsiveness and transparency to the greatest extent possible
Helps employees feel seen and understood regardless of the investigation outcome
Minimizes disruption to organizational operations
What people are saying about Kate
“I had the privilege of working closely with and learning from Kate on complex workplace matters, and I consistently saw her lead with high integrity, empathy, and exceptional judgment. Her ability to navigate sensitive investigations with both rigor and compassion earned the trust of employees and leadership alike. She brings an invaluable combination of emotional intelligence, objectivity, discretion, strategic thinking, and deep respect for organizational dynamics—qualities that make her an invaluable resource for any organization facing challenging employee relations issues.”
— J.S. - former HR colleague
Kate exemplifies what great HR leadership looks like -strategic, empathetic, and deeply committed to creating a workplace where people thrive. Her ability to handle complex employee matters with confidence, empathy, and discretion sets her apart as a trusted advisor and culture champion. From driving talent outcomes to fostering inclusivity, her impact resonates across the entire organization. Truly inspiring!
— D.K., former HR colleague
“I had the privilege of working with Kate and learned so much from her leadership. Her warm and caring demeanor really nurtured our team and made us stronger individually and as a team. Kate has an exceptional ability to balance empathy with sound judgment, especially when managing complex HR scenarios. As a leader, she is thoughtful and inquisitive—asking insightful questions that broaden perspectives and create clarity. Kate’s approach really makes her team feel heard and valued, which builds trust and helps to drive meaningful outcomes.”
— E.R., former HR colleague
“Kate is one of those rare leaders who combines strategic vision with genuine care for people. In every project we worked on, Kate brought clarity, confidence, and a collaborative spirit that inspired everyone around her. She has an incredible ability to prioritize what matters most, guide teams through complexity, and do it all with integrity and empathy. Anyone partnering with Kate can trust they’re working with a leader who not only gets results but elevates those around her.”
— D.M., former HR colleague