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2024
Katherine Post Calvert
Chief Marketing Officer, PagerDuty
“We need more companies to recognize the financial and cultural benefits of diverse leadership, and as consumers, we each have a role to play in increasing the accountability of those companies that haven’t caught up with these modern principles of success.”
In your opinion, what qualities make a “Power Woman”?
A “Power Woman” leads with integrity, empathy, resilience, and curiosity. She seeks to elevate those around her, especially those whose voices aren’t always heard, because she understands that the best victories are shared. She understands that power is a privilege, and she seeks to use what power she’s earned to effect positive change where it is needed in her industry and community.
The polarized society in the US today seems to threaten our democratic values if not our democracy itself. What actions can we take to bring the various factions together?
To bridge divides, we need to listen with empathy, focus on common goals, and encourage civil dialogue. The absence of civility has meant that it is increasingly difficult to find safe spaces for testing ideas and honest debate – and I fear it will be the death knell for critical thinking, which is an essential pillar of a truly free society. We must revive the art of meaningful debate and discussion without rancor and character assassination, particularly on college campuses where the discourse has become so terrifyingly polarized.
With all the different issues one could focus on (e.g. gun violence, child poverty etc.), is
the pursuit of gender equality the most pressing in today’s world?
the pursuit of gender equality the most pressing in today’s world?
Protecting equal rights for women is a core primitive, as we say in the tech industry, of a healthy social compact – without it, I do not think broader change is even possible.
What do you think is the number one action we as a society can take toward en-powering women and gender equality? (e.g. affirmative action)?
Providing women with equal access to opportunities in leadership roles is key but to get women prepared to succeed in those roles starts even earlier, through mentorship, sponsorship, and ongoing training (particularly to mitigate conscious and unconscious biases).
Do you think that asking previous salary requirements in job interviews contributes to the pay gap between women and men? Should we push for a nationwide ban?
The data is pretty clear on this – asking for previous salaries perpetuates the gender pay gap by anchoring pay to historical disparities.
There are many studies that support the assertion that a female presence in the board
room increases the bottom line and leads to healthier work environments. What can we do to continue to support and enhance the growth to and presence of women in high profile positions?
room increases the bottom line and leads to healthier work environments. What can we do to continue to support and enhance the growth to and presence of women in high profile positions?
Sponsorship programs, visibility for female role models, and accountability for board diversity are essential. We need more companies to recognize the financial and cultural benefits of diverse leadership, and as consumers, we each have a role to play in increasing the accountability of those companies that haven’t caught up with these modern principles of success.
Was there a defining moment or experience in your life that led you to where you are today? What was it?
Losing my job in the bursting of the 2001 tech bubble was a devastating and scary moment. As I walked out the door with 90% of the team, teary and worried about the future, I thought about the handful of folks who had been asked to stay. They were not smarter or more talented. As the dust settled, I realized the difference – the rules I had followed so successfully in school were not the same rules that led to business success. In school, women are rewarded for sticking to established norms (study hard, defer to the expertise of your ‘superiors,’ raise your hand to speak, etc), and we perform better in university, by and large, than men. In the workplace, those rules no longer apply – in fact, the opposite behaviors are often rewarded: speak first, do not defer, and build social and intellectual capital of your own. When I landed on the next square of my career track, that lesson helped me to become a much more valuable, vocal and visible contributor to the business.
Is “Education, education and education” one of the top three responsibilities of a civilized society?. If so, why is it prohibitively expensive?
I assume this question is focused on higher education… if so, then yes, education is fundamental to a thriving society but not all options are prohibitively expensive (many of the state systems offer incredible value). We reinforce our own American elitism when we confuse ‘education’ with a handful of private schools that cost $90,000 a year, which I agree is completely outrageous and untenable.
If you could have someone else’s job for a day, who and what would it be? Why?
I’d love to be a crisis management professional for an emergency services organization, like FEMA, and be of hands-on service to those in need. I feel so helpful watching the news and seeing so many communities be destroyed by devastating weather events, which seem to be happening more and more often. I have deep admiration for the strength and dedication of those front line people saving lives and communities day in and day out.
What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
My mother always told me, “Have your own career and make your own money. No matter what. That independence will keep you strong, and make you a better partner and a better parent.”
What is your favorite book (fiction or nonfiction)?
That’s like asking me to pick a favorite child… I have one, but it changes day to day (and sometimes hour to hour.)
What do you most value in your friends?
Kindness, wit, humility and loyalty. My closest friends help me see what I cannot, they make me laugh (but also let me cry), and I am a better me for knowing them.
Which trait do you find most uncomfortable in yourself? In others?
In myself: overthinking.
In others: dishonesty or obfuscation.
