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Katie brings more than two decades of experience at the intersection of venture capital, private equity, technology, and marketing. Since joining Norwest in 2001, she has led and grown the firm’s Portfolio Success team, partnering with founders and executives to help them scale and drive meaningful growth throughout their organizations.
Katie collaborates closely with teams across Norwest to connect portfolio leaders with specialized resources—from talent and go-to-market to AI implementation, pricing strategies, and leadership development. The Norwest Portfolio Success team—comprising 20+ in-house professionals and 50+ Senior Advisors—brings expertise in marketing, sales, finance, people advisory, business development, technology, operations, M&A, and capital markets. Together, they deliver founder-focused support designed to create practical value at every stage of growth.
Katie began her career in corporate communications, holding senior roles at Calico Commerce, the Horn Group, and Ketchum, where she led high-impact programs for clients like Hewlett-Packard, Genentech, and McKinsey & Company’s e-commerce practice.
She earned a B.S. in journalism with a focus on public relations from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo.
Katie believes in Norwest’s “invited guest” philosophy—offering guidance when it’s needed most, and staying close, but never overstepping. Her work centers on trust, collaboration, and a shared commitment to building great companies.
Katie brings more than two decades of experience at the intersection of venture capital, private equity, technology, and marketing. Since joining Norwest in 2001, she has led and grown the firm’s Portfolio Success team, partnering with founders and executives to help them scale and drive meaningful growth throughout their organizations.
Katie collaborates closely with teams across Norwest to connect portfolio leaders with specialized resources—from talent and go-to-market to AI implementation, pricing strategies, and leadership development. The Norwest Portfolio Success team—comprising 20+ in-house professionals and 50+ Senior Advisors—brings expertise in marketing, sales, finance, people advisory, business development, technology, operations, M&A, and capital markets. Together, they deliver founder-focused support designed to create practical value at every stage of growth.
Katie began her career in corporate communications, holding senior roles at Calico Commerce, the Horn Group, and Ketchum, where she led high-impact programs for clients like Hewlett-Packard, Genentech, and McKinsey & Company’s e-commerce practice.
She earned a B.S. in journalism with a focus on public relations from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo.
Katie believes in Norwest’s “invited guest” philosophy—offering guidance when it’s needed most, and staying close, but never overstepping. Her work centers on trust, collaboration, and a shared commitment to building great companies.
“Teamwork begins by building trust.” When investors invite us to explain the areas where Portfolio Success can provide value to our portfolio companies, I often see founders’ and CEOs’ faces light up at how Norwest augments the company-building process beyond the capital. Those expressions are the beginning of building that trust, which is the foundation of a successful partnership.
What can you always be relied on for?An empathetic, supportive ear; a warm disposition; that boost of confidence we all need from time to time; and a sense of humor (which often includes some really great — or not so great — puns)!
What are the little victories you look for?Seeing my team and our portfolio companies shine (often while working together)! Our founders’ genuine appreciation and the talented, hardworking people I partner with every day truly motivate me. It’s why I’m excited to go to work every morning.
What makes you valuable to work with?I try to motivate teams through optimism, camaraderie, and ensuring they feel empowered and heard. Creating a culture where everyone knows that there is no such thing as a “stupid question” fosters creativity, and all ideas are welcomed and appreciated. Allowing people to be who they are and leaning into their developed and sometimes undeveloped strengths creates an opportunity for them to bring their best selves forward and shine.
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