Kate Sulkey
Solon
Summary
Strategic marketing and insights leader with 10+ years of experience translating complex consumer, shopper, and retail analytics into compelling go-to-market narratives, customer-facing content, and actionable growth strategies for Fortune 500 CPG brands. Proven ability to partner cross-functionally across sales, product, analytics, and marketing teams to develop positioning, drive product adoption, support strategic launches, and create executive-level presentations and enablement materials. Skilled at simplifying complex data into clear customer value propositions that increase engagement, retention, and revenue growth.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
Work History
Lead Commercial Strategy Manager
84.51º
12.2024 - Current
- Serve as the strategic lead for media and commercial planning, acting as a trusted thought partner to senior client stakeholders and consistently delivering high- value insights and engagement.
- Build trusted relationships with senior client stakeholders, guiding them through strategy decision-making and ensuring maximum value for deep client engagement.
- Contributed to the development and delivery of Consumer Digest thought leadership content (2024–2025), translating complex shopper and market intelligence into customer-facing insights materials, strategic narratives, and executive-ready presentations.
- Develop executive presentations, strategic storytelling materials, and customer- facing communications that translate complex analytics and product capabilities into clear business value for internal and external stakeholders.
- Develop and execute joint business planning across key CPG accounts, translating shopper insights and syndicated data into actionable strategies that drive adoption and measurable outcomes.
- Partner with cross-functional teams (Sales, Product, Analytics) to align client needs with organizational capabilities, uncovering upselling opportunities and supporting commercial growth initiatives.
- Utilize CRM tools to track client engagement and identify growth opportunities, enabling more effective renewal, expansion, and revenue strategies.
- Partner with product, analytics, sales, and marketing teams to align customer messaging, support platform adoption, and improve enablement strategies across enterprise accounts.
- Proactively monitor industry and competitive trends to inform client strategy, ensuring account playbooks remain relevant and have a high impact.
- Build influence with decision-makers and cross-level stakeholders, fostering strong relationships that accelerate account expansion and long-term partnership success.
Lead Insights Account Executive
84.51º
05.2023 - 12.2024
- Exceeded annual sales objectives (100% in 2023, 102% in 2024) by building deep client relationships, driving engagement, and delivering measurable value through insights and recommendations.
- Partnered with marketing, product, and operations teams to develop integrated solutions that addressed client challenges and created expansion opportunities.
- Conducted competitive, consumer, and industry trend analyses to inform client strategies, equipping executives with actionable intelligence for high-stakes decisions.
- Secured an $8M enterprise contract by delivering targeted, insight-driven business presentations that demonstrated product value and long-term strategic alignment.
- Designed and delivered data-backed presentations that contributed to 3% YoY client growth, reinforcing credibility as a trusted strategic advisor.
- Increased upsell opportunities by 126% by aligning client business objectives with product offers, leading to broader adoption and expansion of services.
Lead Insights Account Consultant
84.51º
11.2021 - 05.2023
- Built and sustained strategic partnerships with consumer insights, shopper insights, category management, and brand leadership teams, positioning as a trusted advisor across multiple business functions.
- Delivered tailored product presentations that addressed client priorities and secured a $5M contract, reinforcing credibility and long-term value delivery.
- Designed and executed client engagement strategies that achieved 100% budget attainment in 2022, ensuring consistency account growth and retention.
- Collaborated with Kroger Merchandising teams to support commercial solutions incentives, strengthening alignment between client initiatives and broader go-to-market strategies.
- Cultivated strong connections among marketing and insights departments, driving increased opportunities for Brand and Trade teams' consumer research.
- Fostered strong relationships with marketing and insights teams, unlocking new opportunities for brand and trade research and driving expanded adoption.
- Recognized for exceptional client relations and service, receiving consistent client commendations for responsiveness and strategic support.
- Contributed to internal growth by training and mentoring new consultants in the CSA development program (2022–2023), sharing best practices in client strategy and account management.
Event Design, Styling and Staging
BRILAMAE
10.2019 - 11.2021
- Partnered with clients and event coordinators to ensure seamless floral and event design delivery.
- Designed captivating visual layouts for various occasions.
- Procured distinctive event rentals to craft exceptional experiences for clients and guests.
Brand Category Manager
Reckitt Benkiser
03.2017 - 10.2019
- Collaborated with research teams to pinpoint shopper trends for potential growth.
- Translated shopper and syndicated analytics into strategic positioning, customer recommendations, and actionable category growth stories for executive stakeholders.
- Provided actionable analytics support to enhance performance within Dollar General's Healthcare and Wellness division.
- Developed insight-driven sales narratives and presentation materials to support customer engagement and product positioning initiatives
- Managed planogram creation and maintenance using Nielsen Data and 1010 Shopper Data.
- Increased revenue by 13% for cough, cold and flu products through strategic product placement on shelves.
- Utilized collaborative strategies with sales team to achieve a 10% increase in category growth at Dollar General.
- Positioned Consumer Category Management Captains as primary go-to for business process Best Practices through strategic partnerships with Dollar Retailers.
- Proposing and overseeing primary research to foster a comprehensive consumer insight-driven category management approach.
- Offered insights using syndicated data for customers and clients.
Customer Trade Marketing Manager- Dollar General
Reckitt Benkiser
05.2016 - 03.2017
- Directed 2016 Discounter growth campaigns incorporating unique merchandising strategies.
- Conducted shopper-focused business analyses to meet brand objectives for the Dollar Channel.
- Facilitated business solutions and increased sales through insight-driven approaches.
- Combining critical channel shopper data into a seamless online tool.
- Synthesized insights from household and custom research for a comprehensive understanding of shopping habits.
- Oversaw execution of key performance indicator initiatives for 2017.
- Collaborated with Sales, Brand, and Customer Marketing to build a cohesive selling narrative for product distribution success.
- Oversaw planning, management, and execution of 25 National/Customer Big Bet initiatives.
- Secured off-shelf promotional spots to boost retail traffic.
- Achieved extensive distribution through flawless execution of brand launches to discount retailers.
Customer Category Manager- Dollar General
Mondelez International
07.2012 - 05.2015
- Achieved overall growth of 22% in 2013 and 15% in 2014 through tailored sales strategies with category buyers.
- Boosted revenue and market share for Dollar General and Mondelez in the confections category through strategic category management.
- Partnered with Shopper Marketing team to formulate and implement a detailed promotional strategy.
- Leverage digital marketing tactics to support and enhance cross-promotional activities within Dollar General.
- Consistently oversaw key partnerships across functions at Dollar General to strengthen Mondelez's market position.
- Received Circle of Champions Award in 2013 for exceptional channel expansion results.
- Earned recognition as Dollar General's Vendor of the Year, 2014.
Retail Merchandising Supervisor
Kraft Heinz
05.2011 - 07.2012
- Increased revenue by reducing operational expenses within assigned territory.
- Achieved 4.5% business expansion for the team while maintaining budget compliance.
- Contribute to Women's Sales Council Connections Program since 2011.
- Recruited diverse talent for the IDP Committee for Mid-south.
Sales Representative
Kraft Foods Global
12.2008 - 05.2011
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Bachelor of Business Communications & Arts
Kent State University
Kent, OH05-2008
Skills
- Product Positioning & Messaging
- Go-to-Market Strategy
- Sales Enablement & Customer Training
- Customer Insights & Competitive Research
- Executive Storytelling & Presentations
- Product Adoption & Client Engagement
- Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Content Development & Strategic Communications
- Shopper & Consumer Analytics
- Data Driven Business Insights
- Commercial Planning & Market Strategy
- CRM & Portfolio Management
- New product channels
- Research and development
Platforms & Analytic Tools
- 84.51° Stratum
- NielsenIQ & Syndicated Data Platforms
- CRM & Portfolio Management Tools
- Shopper Analytics Platforms
- Microsoft PowerPoint & Excel
Timeline
Lead Commercial Strategy Manager
84.51º
12.2024 - Current
Lead Insights Account Executive
84.51º
05.2023 - 12.2024
Lead Insights Account Consultant
84.51º
11.2021 - 05.2023
Event Design, Styling and Staging
BRILAMAE
10.2019 - 11.2021
Brand Category Manager
Reckitt Benkiser
03.2017 - 10.2019
Customer Trade Marketing Manager- Dollar General
Reckitt Benkiser
05.2016 - 03.2017
Customer Category Manager- Dollar General
Mondelez International
07.2012 - 05.2015
Retail Merchandising Supervisor
Kraft Heinz
05.2011 - 07.2012
Sales Representative
Kraft Foods Global
12.2008 - 05.2011
Bachelor of Arts - Bachelor of Business Communications & Arts
Kent State University