Kimberly Read
Kim Read is passionate about building things that grow, businesses, teams, and careers. She has spent her career working across industries, with a consistent focus on digital and marketplace businesses, helping organizations move from early momentum to something more structured, scalable, and lasting.
She started her career in marketing and expanded into operations over time, ultimately leading businesses across all functions. Along the way, she found her sweet spot at the intersection of strategy and execution, where vision turns into real, measurable results. Kim is especially energized by working with or following founders, developing strong leaders, and creating environments where people can do their best work. She has also been a dedicated advocate for women in leadership, serving as the executive sponsor of the Women’s ERG at RetailMeNot and speaking at the Texas Conference for Women.
Outside of her corporate career, Kim is deeply committed to impact and community. She serves on the board of Atlanta Angels, supporting children and families in foster care, and founded JustGoSolo.com, a platform designed to inspire and support solo and female travelers. At the core of her work is a belief that growth is not just about business outcomes, it is about building something meaningful for the people behind it.
• Georgia Tech AI for Business
• Corporate Governance: Maximize Your Effectiveness in the Boardroom
• Scaling a Business: How to Build a Unicorn
• Management and Supervision Certification
• Strategies That Build Winning Brands
• Executive Program in Corporate Strategy
• Women in Leadership Certification
• Corporate Innovation Certification
• University of Florida - B.S.
• Atlanta Angels
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to hard work, foresight, and continuous learning. I focus on solving problems proactively, anticipating challenges, and adding meaningful impact to every role. By expanding my skills and thinking ahead, I’ve been able to take on greater responsibilities and unlock new opportunities throughout my career.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve received hasn’t come from a single moment, but from observing and learning from the leaders around me over time. I tend to take something different from each experience and relationship, and blend those lessons into my own leadership style. I’m naturally very Type A and process-driven, but I’ve learned that some of my biggest growth has come from working with people who challenge the rules. They’ve pushed me to stay creative, flexible, and more entrepreneurial in how I think and lead.
I’ve been fortunate to learn from incredible leaders along the way. Kelli Beougher taught me the importance of diligence and showing up every day with a “rock star” mindset. Cotter Cunningham showed me how to truly inspire people and build a strong, values-driven culture. Marissa Tarleton helped shape how I think about brand and storytelling, and how to connect with customers in a way that feels real and authentic.
If there’s one theme across all of it, it’s that great leadership is not one-size-fits-all. It’s about learning, evolving, and being intentional about the kind of leader you want to be, while staying open to new perspectives along the way.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering the industry is to stay flexible, stay curious, and keep learning. Observe and learn from people you admire, build strong relationships, and let your network and knowledge open doors you might not have expected.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges and opportunities right now is keeping up with the pace of change as AI and automation continue to scale. It’s no longer optional, it’s becoming a core part of how businesses operate and compete.
What I’m seeing is that the real differentiator isn’t just adopting AI, it’s how effectively companies integrate it into their operating model. The opportunity is to drive better decision-making, efficiency, and customer experience at scale. The challenge is doing that while still maintaining strong leadership, culture, and human judgment.
The companies that get this right will move faster, operate more efficiently, and create a real advantage.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Empathy is one of the most important values to me, both at work and in my personal life. Understanding the perspectives of leaders, team members, clients, or customers allows me to solve problems more effectively and make better decisions. Even in a technology-driven world, it’s humans guiding the work, and being able to see things from their point of view unlocks potential and drives meaningful results.