Kate has considerable experience in both technology and innovation across startups, corporate, academia and government. 

In her time as the CEO of LaunchVic, Victoria’s lead startup agency, the sector has become a significant part of the Victorian economy.

In 2022 Kate received the Global Policy Champion award at the Global Entrepreneurship Congress (GEC) for exceptional leadership in developing policies to helps startups grow and ensure a thriving early-stage investment landscape in Victoria. 

She is also a council member of Charles Sturt University and Chair of the Genesis Fund for the University of Melbourne, Investment Committee Member, Alice Anderson Fund and Hugh Victor McKay Fund.

Kate previously founded a human resources technology startup and led it through an ASX listing. She was also the Senior Telecommunications Adviser and Deputy Chief of Staff to the Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy and worked as a General Manager at NBN Co.

Kate has a PhD in optical telecommunications from the University of Melbourne.