Karen Pate
About Karen Pate
Karen Pate serves as the Director of Product Design, Definition and Readiness at SITA, where she oversees the internal Knowledge Transfer of new Passenger Service System products. With extensive experience in the airline industry, she is recognized for her innovative product visions and leads a team focused on Business Architecture and UX/UI Design.
Work at SITA
Karen Pate has been serving as the Director of Product Design, Definition, and Readiness at SITA since 2014. In this role, she oversees the internal Knowledge Transfer of all new Passenger Service System (PSS) products and enhancements. Her responsibilities include leading a team of over 40 employees who focus on Business Architecture, UX/UI Design, and Dependency Management. Prior to her current position, she held the role of Director of Product Management for the New Generation Program at SITA from 2008 to 2009, and later served as Director of Product Management and Product Definition from 2009 to 2013.
Education and Expertise
Karen Pate studied at Clemson University from 1976 to 1979, where she gained foundational knowledge that supports her career in product design and management. She possesses expertise in managing a variety of airline-related systems, including Airline Reservations, Fares & Pricing, and Departure Control Systems. Her extensive experience in the airline industry equips her to create innovative product visions and roadmaps that align with customer needs.
Background in the Airline Industry
Karen Pate has a robust background in the airline industry, having worked in various roles across multiple organizations. She began her career at Delta Air Lines as a Technical Writer from 1983 to 1986 and then as a Planner from 1987 to 1990. She transitioned to Worldspan, where she served as Product Marketing Manager from 1990 to 1999 and later as Team Manager for Product Planning from 1999 to 2003. Following her tenure at Worldspan, she worked at Travelport as Director of Product Strategy from 2003 to 2007 before returning to SITA.
Achievements in Product Development
Throughout her career, Karen Pate has been recognized for her ability to create innovative product visions and roadmaps that effectively meet customer needs within the airline industry. She has developed a divisional Mentoring Program specifically designed for high achievers, demonstrating her commitment to fostering talent and leadership within her teams.