Her Story
About Kathy
Kathy Karousos Gillet is a results-driven sales and hospitality leader currently serving as Area Sales Director for Event Strategy and Performance at Topgolf, overseeing the New England market, including Rhode Island and Boston/Canton. With a career built around sales execution, customer experience, and team development, Kathy has established herself as a trusted leader in creating memorable corporate events and driving business growth. She earned her Bachelor of Business Administration in International Business from the University of Rhode Island - College of Business, building a strong foundation for her career in sales and management.
Kathy’s passion for hospitality began at an early age through her family’s restaurant business, where she gained firsthand experience in every aspect of operations. Her career journey includes roles with luxury hospitality organizations, catering and event management, seafood sales, and entertainment brands. During her six years with Dave & Buster's, she played a key role in rebuilding the sales department following the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, becoming a Million Dollar Club member for her outstanding sales performance. She later joined Topgolf, where her leadership, sales expertise, and commitment to developing others led to her promotion to Director of Sales and ultimately to Area Sales Director. In 2025, she was recognized as the recipient of Topgolf’s first-ever Director’s Cup for excellence in leadership and performance.
Beyond her professional accomplishments, Kathy is deeply committed to mentorship, community involvement, and creating positive workplace cultures. She believes in leading by example, encouraging team members to grow, and understanding every role within an organization—from entry-level positions to leadership responsibilities. Inspired by her Greek immigrant parents’ work ethic and dedication, Kathy attributes her success to perseverance, teamwork, and her desire to provide a meaningful future for her children. She continues to serve her community through volunteer leadership roles with organizations and serves on the board at St. George Greek Orthodox Church.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Kathy
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my family, my work ethic, and the values my parents instilled in me. As Greek immigrants, they showed me the importance of hard work, perseverance, and teamwork. Everything I do is for my children and to give them the same opportunities and support my mother gave me. I set a goal to reach the same income level as my husband so he could retire, and through dedication and determination, I was able to achieve it.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve received is to plan each day with purpose and intention. I’ve also learned to never underestimate the value of an entry-level position, as every role provides opportunities to learn, grow, and build a strong foundation for future success.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Never think that the entry-level position is beneath us. Understand all facets of the business, including operations and sales. Start from the bottom and work your way up. Learn everything you can from each role.
Join Influential Women and start making an impact. Register now.