Katerina Vasilko
Katerina (Kat) Vasilko began her career in customer service and quickly advanced into sales and leadership roles, developing strong expertise in business development, partnership growth, and client relations. She has worked with companies such as Salvage Data Recovery and Synergy Consulting Group, Inc., where she excelled in sales performance, executive-level outreach, and strategic client engagement. Notably, Kat successfully scheduled 400–500 executive meetings in a staffing company role in just her first 10 months in the industry, demonstrating her exceptional relationship building skills, strategic mindset, and ability to build trust with C-suite leaders and decision-makers. Her career reflects resilience, adaptability, and a natural talent for relationship-building, positioning her as a trusted advisor in every organization she supports. In her current role at Synergy, Kat focuses on business development, client engagement, and executive meeting coordination, consistently setting ambitious goals of 20 high-level meetings per week & fostering new partnerships from those. She combines technical knowledge and people leadership, regularly traveling and leveraging strategic networking to expand partnerships and create meaningful business outcomes. Her professional toolkit includes a CFOT (Certified Fiber Optic Technician) certification, OSHA-30 training, canine handler certification, PATI scuba diver certification, and a commissioned notary designation in Ohio, reflecting her commitment to technical expertise and operational excellence. Beyond her professional accomplishments, Kat is an entrepreneurial and innovative spirit. She has launched a 3D printing side business and envisions integrating this technology into motorcycle manufacturing and STEM education initiatives. A motorcycle enthusiast, gamer, and technology aficionado, she brings creativity and engineering together in her personal and professional pursuits. Recognized as an Influential Woman 2026, Kat aims to inspire other women to pursue careers in business, technology, and STEM fields while continuing to make a meaningful impact through leadership, entrepreneurship, and relationship-driven strategies.
• Cuyahoga Community College, 1 Year Certificate Program, Utility Technician
• Coursera, Professional META Front-End Developer
• Notary Public
• Certified Fiber Optic Technician (CFOT)
• OSHA 30-Hour
• PADI Scuba Driver
• Tow Vehicle Driver/Wrecker Operator
• Professionals 2030 Club
• Former member of BNI (Business Networking International)
• Volunteer
Cleveland Animal Protective League
What do you attribute your success to?
Initiative and persistence: proactively asking for new opportunities, improving processes, building partnerships and strong client relationships, and hands-on on-the-job learning. She doesn't say "if", she says "When". She lives by her motto "If you're scared to do something, do it scared"-Glennon Doyle.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
"If you're scared to do something, do it scared"-Glennon Doyle.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Don't compare yourself to others, you're only in competition with yourself. As long as you can say you did better than you did the day before, you're on the right track.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Challenge: The current job market, with there being more job-seekers than available jobs adds difficulty to my role
Opportunity: In IT things are ever changing so there are always more opportunities, you just need to adjust your perspective
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
She prioritizes contributing to animal rescues and animal welfare causes, supporting women's reproductive rights and initiatives that develop opportunities for women, and donating to efforts that assist underdeveloped countries.