Katie Ocheltree
Katie Ocheltree, Ed.D., ABD, CAIC (She/Her) is an Enterprise Customer Success Account Manager at Microsoft based in the Atlanta metropolitan area and a trusted AI advisor known for her visionary, people-centered leadership. She leads the Copilot Adoption Initiative and a Coaching Guild of approximately 100 professionals, guiding large-scale AI implementation and enterprise transformation efforts. With a focus on predictive analytics, digital learning, and human-centered design, Dr. Ocheltree drives measurable growth in client retention, diverse learner development, and organizational productivity across complex, global environments.
Dr. Ocheltree began her career in education, fulfilling her childhood dream of becoming a teacher. After earning her Master of Education from University of Pennsylvania and completing her Doctor of Education at Liberty University, she served as a special education teacher in downtown Philadelphia before advancing to building-level administrator, state-level coordinator, and district-level director. Her transition into technology followed her work implementing a predictive analytics platform later acquired by Google, where she joined the Atlanta office. She subsequently held leadership roles at Cisco before returning to Microsoft, where she integrates transformational leadership with AI-driven innovation.
A nationally invited speaker and published author on bridging the digital divide through culturally responsive and AI-powered practices, Dr. Ocheltree is widely recognized for her impact. Her honors include a Microsoft-wide “Living Our Culture” award, FY26 Q1 Customer Success Spotlight recognition, and distinction as a Microsoft Copilot Usage Program winner. She holds certifications in Product Management, Artificial Intelligence, Transformational Leadership, Cultural Responsiveness, and Responsible AI for Managers, and is a Certified Artificial Intelligence Consultant. Active in organizations such as Leadership for Educational Equality, the National Association for Female Executives, the International Society of Female Professionals, and Latinas in Tech, Dr. Ocheltree remains committed to empathy-first leadership—meeting people where they are and building a lasting legacy of innovation, inclusion, and scalable impact.
• Change management certification
• AI for Managers
• Certified Artificial Intelligence Consultant
• University of Pennsylvania
• Liberty University
• Microsoft Living Our Culture Award under Get It Done category (one of 12 recipients company-wide)
• Customer Success Unit Spotlight for fiscal year 26
• Microsoft Copilot Usage Program winner
• Invited speaker at International Microsoft Executive Briefing Conference
• Women's Inventor Network (WIN++)
• International Society for Female Professionals
• Latinas in Tech
• Leadership for Educational Equality
• National Association for Female Executives
• Women in Leadership
• Women in Tech school speaking program
What do you attribute your success to?
I would definitely say my love of helping people has really been the ground, the foundation up that has allowed me to be where I am today, just really staying in my why and my who. That allows me to wake up every day and still love what I do. My education at UPenn really opened up my eyes. I think that that gave me a unique perspective that made me realize that the world is so much bigger than just I. And then I would say my biggest second checkmark to that was moving to Microsoft, because I had been at Google, I've been at Cisco, but no one truly had that scoop-me-up mentality and watch me prosper. I've always had to claw and fight like crabs in a bucket to get my promotions and everything. And I feel like my leader specifically has helped lift me up to become even more successful. She does a great job guiding me in the direction of success without telling me what to do.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
My leadership style has been shaped by guiding—not directive—mentors. My father taught me integrity and resilience. My current leader models trust and empowerment. Both reinforced a truth I carry with me daily: great leadership creates space for others to rise.
That belief extends beyond my role at Microsoft. I am actively involved in organizations that champion women and underrepresented leaders, including:
Women Leadership
Women’s Inventor Network (WIN++)
International Society for Female Professionals
Latinas in Tech
Leadership for Educational Equality
National Association for Female Executives
I also volunteer with Inspired EDU, speaking to students about careers in technology and what it means to be a woman in tech. Representation matters. If a young girl can see someone who looks like her leading in AI, the ceiling lifts.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would say always lead with empathy first, understanding that everyone is dealing with something different. I know we kind of downplay this, right? Like, we all have something going on at home, but it's really true, and customers are the same way. So using that empathy to drive change through strategic thoughts, I think is really important. And then always asking the why to customers, trying to understand, well, where is your mind at, and how can I meet you there in order to make you feel most comfortable?
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
I would say uncertainty. I know that that's a broad term, but it truly is the uncertainty of AI, the uncertainty of politics, the uncertainty of financials, the uncertainty of work stability. And it's a ripple effect.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
I would say humility, empathy, leadership, thought partnership, and organization are the values I bring from my personal life into my work life. As a single mom of an 8-year-old, I balance my professional responsibilities with being a cheering mom on the sideline. I work out often, do hot yoga and hiking, enjoy checking out new vineyards, reading Time Magazine, and I love being around family and friends. I love anything water-related, like being at the lake, on the boat, or doing water sports.