Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Honors
Timeline
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Kate Buckholz

Mount Pleasant,SC

Summary

Experienced leader with background in guiding teams, managing complex projects, and achieving strategic objectives. Recognized for implementing innovative solutions, scaling operations, and fostering growth in diverse industries including Financial Technology, Cloud Computing, and Education Technology.

Overview

14
14
years of professional experience

Work History

Director, Digital Operations

WEX
07.2023 - Current
  • Established and scaled product operations function within the Office of the Chief Digital Officer, hiring and training a high-performing team while implementing core operations within 180 days.
  • Led complex, cross-functional initiatives in a matrixed organization, implementing first enterprise-wide product roadmapping tool (Aha!) and optimizing portfolio delivery.
  • Championed AI and automation initiatives across WEX, introducing cutting-edge tooling and best practices to accelerate time to revenue.

Strategy and Operations Lead, Startups

AWS
09.2022 - 06.2023
  • Drove operational strategy for global business development team, orchestrating annual goal-setting process and aligning leadership vision with team execution.
  • Optimized CRM and database tooling to enhance business performance evaluation and strategic planning.
  • Managed $1M third-party sponsorship budget, developing internal playbook and funding dashboard to ensure strategic resource allocation.

Director, Program Management Office

BillGO
08.2021 - 09.2022
  • Established and scaled Program Management Office from 2 to 10 members, designing organizational structure and career progression framework.
  • Developed and executed client implementation strategies for banking and FinTech clients, ensuring seamless onboarding and integration.
  • Led high-profile, multi-year client implementations using agile methodologies, driving project success and client satisfaction.

Senior Manager, Payment Services

Blackbaud
06.2019 - 07.2021
  • Led cross-functional FinTech initiatives, enhancing payment services offerings for diverse customer segments.
  • Managed strategic partnerships with industry leaders like Stripe and PayPal, driving innovation and revenue growth.
  • Optimized payment processing business through data-driven analysis, making impactful financial and strategic decisions.

Senior Program Manager, EngEDU

Google
08.2010 - 08.2017
  • Selected by executive leadership to launch and lead education programs for underrepresented groups in tech in South Carolina.
  • Served as Google Education's primary representative in SC, building relationships with key stakeholders including elected officials and school leaders.
  • Managed global team of ~20 project managers, focusing on CS education initiatives for underrepresented groups in technology industry.

Education

Master of Arts - International Education

New York University
New York, NY
01.2005

Bachelor of Arts - Psychology

Seattle University
Seattle, WA
01.2002

Skills

  • Operational Excellence
  • Results-Driven
  • Strategic planning and execution
  • Organizational Development
  • Business process reengineering
  • Business Planning

Honors

  • SC Top 50 Women Leaders, Women We Admire, 2022, 2024
  • Diversity Leadership Initiative Fellow, The Riley Institute at Furman, 2019
  • Charleston's Forty Under 40, Charleston Regional Business Journal, 2018
  • Most Influential in STEM, National Afterschool Association, 2015

Timeline

Director, Digital Operations

WEX
07.2023 - Current

Strategy and Operations Lead, Startups

AWS
09.2022 - 06.2023

Director, Program Management Office

BillGO
08.2021 - 09.2022

Senior Manager, Payment Services

Blackbaud
06.2019 - 07.2021

Senior Program Manager, EngEDU

Google
08.2010 - 08.2017

Master of Arts - International Education

New York University

Bachelor of Arts - Psychology

Seattle University
Kate Buckholz