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Kate Makuen
CMO, Advisory Board Member. B2B Strategy, Partnerships, PR, Campaigns. FinServe-FinTech-RegTech-ESG-GreenTech.
Professional Background
Kate Makuen is a distinguished entrepreneurial leader and management consultant renowned for her expertise in financial services and technology. Her impressive career spans across multiple sectors, particularly focusing on helping startups and scale-ups evolve into dynamic and resilient organizations. With a wealth of experience, Kate excels in distilling complex products into succinct and compelling Customer Value Propositions that resonate with clients, ensuring compliance and clarity throughout the communication process.
Throughout her career, Kate has demonstrated her ability to evaluate business cases, analyze target operating models, and review organizational blueprints to ascertain their effectiveness and growth potential. Her deep product knowledge encompasses a wide range of areas, including asset management, payments, investment banking, custody, as well as cutting-edge fields like FinTech and RegTech. This adept understanding allows her to deliver strategic and operational insights on Go To Market strategies, brand positioning, client campaigns, content marketing, and digital transformation.
In addition to her strategic prowess, Kate places a significant emphasis on fostering a strong connection with sales teams to drive innovation and operational excellence within businesses. She is highly skilled in managing, mentoring, and coaching teams in post-merger situations, thus ensuring that transitions are as smooth as possible, and that teams emerge stronger.
Education and Achievements
Kate's journey in academia is just as distinguished as her professional one. She began her educational path at Morris Knolls High School, laying the groundwork for her future endeavors. She furthered her studies at Cornell University, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree. Kate's academic pursuits took her to Yale University, where she completed her M.Phil. and M.A., enriching her knowledge and skills in ways that would significantly benefit her career.
To deepen her strategic and innovation skills, she completed a Postgraduate Diploma in Strategy & Innovation at the prestigious University of Oxford – Said Business School. This qualification has been instrumental in shaping her approach to business and leadership, adding a critical edge to her professional endeavors.
Notable Positions and Contributions
Kate has held several significant positions throughout her career, each contributing to her robust portfolio of expertise. As the Marketing Director at VIVA Investment Partners AG, she played a vital role in steering the marketing strategies that propelled the firm forward in a competitive landscape. Her prior experience includes serving as a managing director at Clarity Consulting, where she provided consultancy services to various clients in the financial sector.
Moreover, Kate has been actively involved with various organizations aimed at fostering innovation and entrepreneurship. She co-founded and served on the board of Startup2ExitClub, which facilitates connections and growth opportunities for startups. Additionally, her role as an Advisory Board Member at RegTech Women highlights her commitment to promoting diversity and inclusion within the tech sector.
Other influential roles include her time as the Global Head of Strategic Communications at Deutsche Bank’s Regulatory Management Group, as well as her leadership positions in marketing at HSBC, RBS, and J.P. Morgan, where she oversaw substantial marketing operations and client communication strategies. Her expertise in these roles underscores her ability to navigate complex corporate landscapes while driving innovative marketing and communication strategies.
Achievements
Kate Makuen's achievements extend beyond her impressive career trajectory. As a passionate advocate for diversity and sustainability, she dedicates her efforts to incorporate technology for good within her consulting practices. Her engagement with organizations like Green Angel Syndicate and membership with Tech London Advocates showcases her proactive approach to influencing the industry positively.
Her advocacy work has earned her recognition within the industry, where she is seen as a thought leader and innovator. Kate’s ability to manage change effectively, coupled with her strategic vision, has enabled numerous companies to thrive even in challenging market conditions. In addition to her professional accolades, her contributions to various boards and committees reflect her commitment to uplifting communities and supporting future generations of leaders.
Throughout her extensive career, Kate Makuen has continually exemplified what it means to be a leader in today's fast-paced financial landscape. Her blend of strategic insight, product knowledge, and commitment to mentoring and diversity positions her as a formidable figure in the realms of FinTech, RegTech, and management consulting. As she progresses in her career, her dedication to helping organizations innovate and excel remains unwavering.
