Bio

The most exciting moment in marketing happens when a customer finds a product or service that solves a problem or fills a need. Creating those moments has fueled my actions for 15+ years in the roles I held at IBM, Syniti and now at Devo. Today, I lead a global team of marketing professionals responsible for creating memorable, innovative end-to-end journeys for clients through campaigns, digital experiences, and events. I aim to bring passion, humanity, and creativity to everything I touch. This ranges from advocating for work-life integration, advancing female skills and opportunities in technology, and creating diverse teams to helping my two amazing children navigate life in the Massachusetts suburbs and enjoying summers on the Maine coast. In fact, I have always focused on building, motivating, and leading strong teams. I want my teams to feel the same enthusiasm for solving problems and achieving growth goals as I do. Besides managing teams, I have had opportunities to contribute value to the company and to the teams who represent its core asset. For example, while at IBM, I was selected to mentor 25+ of its “future stars.” I also view strategic partnerships as a critical tool for driving business growth and profitability. I build consensus and collaborate cross-functionally and cross-culturally to gain support from key stakeholders and decision makers for business-building initiatives. This goes hand-in-hand with my belief that marketing can—and must--be a business partner, delivering value far beyond its “cost.” I invest a lot of myself in the work I do, and it goes beyond what I’m “responsible for.” Currently, I serve on the leadership team at Devo. At IBM, I managed the advisory board, led a global council of first-line managers, and served on the SVP/CMO Cabinet team. At Syniti, I served on the operating committee. Ultimately, I cherish three important views: (1) Excellence at work matters; It’s part of who we are. (2) Family comes first. They shouldn’t feel as if they’re getting pushed aside. (3) These two points are seldom mutually exclusive. If you’d like to have a conversation with me, you can connect with me on LinkedIn or email me at reedbkate@gmail.com.