Kathi Kaplan ─ transformational leader in developing and executing marketing strategies.
November 17, 2020 • 3 Minute Read
Updated March 22, 2021
Kathi Kaplan
Senior Vice President
Demand Generation
UiPath
Looking for an experienced transformational leader in developing and executing marketing strategies that drive high growth in public, private and pre-IPO companies? We know the one─Kathi Kaplan!
Kathi is the SVP of Demand Generation of UiPath, a leading automation company. Her expertise is creating demand generation engines through modern digital marketing to drive customer acquisition and pipeline. She has a proven track record in developing brand through demand strategies that deliver results. Prior to UiPath, she has worked at Qlik, Box, VMware and Apple. During her time at Qlik, she has extended her expertise to create and execute diversity and inclusion programs. At VMware, she started the IT industry's most successful revenue driven customer user group.
Please meet this IT Wondrous Woman™, Kathi Kaplan!
Our 10 Questions for this IT Wondrous Woman.
Fun Facts
1. What’s the one thing about you that your business colleagues don’t know about you?
I quit my first job where I was working in a police department doing crime analysis to teach aerobics in Switzerland.
2. Before the pandemic, how many air miles/KMs did you flying annually?
75,000 miles.
3. What is the most adventurous food you have eaten and what city/location did you eat it?
I am a pretty picky eater: no red meat, nothing spicy, no tomatoes. I can’t say I have tried anything adventurous.
Your Career
4. What are the top two experiences, achievements or failures that shaped your journey as a successful leader?
What I am most proud of in my career is my ability to recruit, retain and build collaborative, high performing teams. I have many people that have worked for me or on my team in 5 or more companies.
From a failure perspective, I would say it is more of a key learning experience. Specifically, with a non-performing team member, I learned if you know someone is not performing and isn’t right for the job, it is best for all parties to move quickly.
5. Did you have a mentor in the early part of your career and, if so, what is the biggest lesson you learned from your mentor or influencer?
I did not have a mentor in my early career. I learned by watching both good and bad managers and then tried to emulate those characteristics of leaders I admired.
Walking In Your Shoes
6. What is one piece of business or career advice you would give to your younger self?
Be more confident and focus on knowing and enhancing your strengths versus working on your weaknesses. Embrace what you are good at and go for it.
7. As a leader, how do you remain a resource for people early in their careers?
I always try to lead by example. I do skip level one-on-ones so I can talk to everyone on my team and have an open-door policy to encourage ongoing dialogue. I also formally mentor several people in my company as well as my two daughters.
Today’s Business Environment
8. What is the most interesting project you have worked on in the last few years?
The partnership between Qlik and Fortune. My company Qlik is the Official Analytics Partner of the Global 500 and Fortune 500 lists. We helped bring to life their lists with interactive data visualization. Qlik’s association with Fortune allows us to show what we do via the apps we created.
9. What skills are you currently developing or refining (in yourself) that will make you a more successful leader in the digital economy?
I am working on listening and being a more empathetic and inclusive leader. Especially during this time when we are all working from home, I find it is even more important to be a good listener, have empathy for what others are dealing with and ensure everyone feels included. I try to stay more connected with my team since we haven’t met in person in 7 months.
10. What is your greatest business challenge today?
My biggest challenge during the Pandemic is making sure the team feels motivated, appreciated, recognized and part of something bigger. Many people are used to going to the office, interacting with their colleagues, brainstorming and just getting time to talk so now I’m trying to find new ways to keep people connected.
