Kate Preston
About Kate Preston
Kate Preston is a Senior Associate in Operations at Vista Equity Partners, where she focuses on supporting portfolio companies in scaling operations. She has a diverse background in private equity, venture capital, and corporate strategy, with previous roles at various firms including Liberty Mutual Insurance and Listen Ventures.
Current Role at Vista Equity Partners
Kate Preston serves as a Senior Associate in Operations at Vista Equity Partners, a position she has held since 2022. In this role, she focuses on supporting portfolio companies by scaling operations and unlocking new value for customers. Her expertise in operations is instrumental in enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of the firm's investments.
Previous Experience in Private Equity
Prior to her current role, Kate Preston worked as a Private Equity Intern at Vista Equity Partners in 2020 for one month in Chicago, Illinois. This experience provided her with foundational knowledge in private equity, which she has built upon in her subsequent roles within the industry.
Educational Background
Kate Preston earned her Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Public Policy and History Studies from Duke University, where she studied from 2011 to 2015. She furthered her education by obtaining a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Northwestern University - Kellogg School of Management, completing her studies from 2020 to 2022. Her academic background equips her with a strong analytical framework for her professional endeavors.
Experience in the Startup Ecosystem
Kate has a passion for the startup and entrepreneurship ecosystem, which is reflected in her roles at various organizations. She worked as an Investor at Listen Ventures from 2021 to 2022 and as a Venture Associate at Chingona Ventures for two months in 2021. These positions allowed her to engage with innovative companies and contribute to their growth.
Career Development at Liberty Mutual Insurance
Kate Preston's career includes significant experience at Liberty Mutual Insurance, where she held two positions. She served as an Associate Consultant in Corporate Strategy & Research from 2015 to 2017 and later as a Senior Associate Consultant in the same department from 2017 to 2018. These roles involved strategic analysis and research, contributing to her expertise in corporate operations.