Kat Holmes - EVP, Chief Experience & Design Officer

Professional Overview

Kat Holmes is an accomplished design and user experience leader with over two decades of experience driving innovation and transforming customer experiences across the technology industry. As the EVP, Chief Experience & Design Officer at Salesforce, she oversees the strategic direction and execution of the company's user-centric design and product experiences, leveraging her expertise in inclusive design, design research, and cross-functional collaboration.

Experience Summary

Current Role

As the EVP, Chief Experience & Design Officer at Salesforce, Kat is responsible for shaping the overall design vision and leading a team of talented designers, researchers, and content strategists. In this role, she has been instrumental in enhancing the user experience across Salesforce's product portfolio, ensuring seamless and inclusive interactions for customers. Kat's strategic leadership and commitment to design excellence have contributed to Salesforce's continued success and recognition as a leader in the enterprise software industry.

Career Progression

Prior to her current role, Kat served as the SVP of Product Design and UX at Salesforce, where she led the integration of design and user experience best practices across the organization. Before that, she held various design leadership positions at industry-leading companies, including Director of User Experience Design, Research, and Content at Google, and Principal Design Director for Inclusive Design at Microsoft. Throughout her career, Kat has demonstrated her ability to drive transformative change, foster collaborative partnerships, and deliver impactful design solutions that resonate with users.

Academic Background

Kat holds a Bachelor's degree in Electromechanical Engineering from the University of Washington, where she also served as a member of the Affiliate Faculty and a guest lecturer, sharing her insights on inclusive design and user experience best practices.

Areas of Expertise

• User experience design and research

• Inclusive design and accessibility

• Product design and development

• Cross-functional team leadership and collaboration

• Design strategy and innovation

• Design process and methodology

Professional Impact

Kat is the author of the acclaimed book "Mismatch: How Inclusion Shapes Design," which has been influential in shaping the discourse around inclusive design and its impact on product development. She is a recognized thought leader in the design community, contributing her expertise through speaking engagements, industry events, and academic partnerships.

Conclusion

With her extensive experience, strategic vision, and commitment to design excellence, Kat Holmes is poised to continue driving transformative change and delivering exceptional user experiences at Salesforce. Her unique blend of technical expertise, design leadership, and industry impact make her a valuable asset in the evolving landscape of enterprise software and digital transformation.