Favorite Parts Of Being A Head Of Business Development At Compass Diversified
Katharine, Managing Director/Head of Business Development at Compass Diversified, thrives on the dynamism of her role, enjoying "constantly new" learning about companies and industries, building relationships, and traveling. The most rewarding aspect is witnessing the growth of companies after investment, taking pride in "watching it grow and change and evolve" and contributing to their success.
Networking, Business Development, Relationship Building, Investment, Leadership
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Katharine (Katie) Melzer
Managing Director/Head of Business Development
Compass Diversified
University of Michigan
UCLA Anderson School of Management - MBA
Business Management & Admin
Finance (Banking, Fintech, Investing)
Business Strategy
None Applicable
Video Highlights
1. Katharine enjoys the constant learning aspect of her role, researching new companies, industries, and trends, fulfilling her intellectual curiosity.
2. She values building relationships within various industries and the travel opportunities associated with her job, visiting major US cities.
3. Katharine finds satisfaction in witnessing the growth and evolution of companies after Compass Diversified invests in them, contributing to their expansion and development through capital and strategic support.
Transcript
What do you enjoy most about being in your current role?
I love meeting new people and building relationships in different industries. I also absolutely love learning about new companies, as well as new industries and trends.
It's constantly new for me, and I love that. Every day, I get to read about a new business, a new industry, or a new dilemma within a sector. I think that is very fulfilling for my intellectual curiosity.
I also love building relationships and getting to know more people. My job requires travel, and I personally like to travel. All of my travels are within the US, and I do enjoy going to major cities.
I go to New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago a lot. I like being on the road. Once we invest in a business, I get to be a part of watching it grow, change, and evolve.
I get to see the good that we bring to these companies, whether it's capital to build out inventory, expand into a new facility or manufacturing site, or help them with marketing to grow internationally. It might even be new product development.
I get to see a business from when we acquired it and then, perhaps five, seven, or ten years down the line, see how much the company has evolved and grown. We've been a part of that. I get a lot of pride and satisfaction from being part of that support on the company's next journey.