Kate is a co-founder of Scale, a Silicon Valley-based firm that invests in startups building software for the intelligent, connected world. She and the Scale team have backed successful, high growth companies including Hubspot (NYSE: HUBS); DocuSign (NASDAQ: DOCU), and Bill.com (NYSE: BILL).
Kate is past chairman and board member of the National Venture Capital Association (NVCA) and is active in policy matters that impact entrepreneurship, innovation, and inclusion. She co-authored the IPO section of the 2012 JOBS Act which increased access to the public markets for emerging growth companies. In 2014, Kate co-founded an NVCA initiative, VentureForward, which focuses on advancing opportunities for women and underrepresented minorities in the venture ecosystem. She received the NVCA Outstanding Service Award in 2013 for her policy work in Washington and was awarded the Private Equity Trailblazer Award at the 2018 Women in Private Equity Summit. In 2021, Kate was honored with the NVCA’s American Spirit Award for her service to the community centered around equity and diversity.
Kate currently serves on the boards of SVB Financial Group (NASDAQ:SIVB), Fortive Corporation (NYSE:FTV); Silicon Valley Community Foundation, NVCA’s Venture Forward, PEWIN (Private Equity Women Investor Network) where she is also the Co-CEO, Tuck Center for PE & Venture Capital at Dartmouth, and Meals on Wheels San Francisco. She is an advisor and speaker at the Rock Center for Corporate Governance (Stanford Law School). Kate is also an active Kauffman Fellows Mentor.