Kathleen Mitford

Speaker Bio

Kathleen Mitford is Corporate Vice President of Global Industry Marketing at Microsoft. She leads a global team dedicated to empowering customers and partners realize the full potential of Microsoft Cloud and AI through an industry-first approach.

Her team works with organizations across telecommunications, manufacturing, media and entertainment, retail and consumer goods, automotive, financial services, healthcare, education, government, and energy—aligning Microsoft’s technology with the distinct needs and priorities of each industry to drive measurable business outcomes.

Known for blending vision with pragmatism, Kathleen helps organizations move beyond AI experimentation to accelerate innovation and lead confidently in an AI-first era.

Her career in tech started when she transitioned from fashion design to a software company serving the fashion industry. Before joining Microsoft, Kathleen was Executive Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer for PTC, where she led product portfolio, strategy, M&A, alliances, marketing, and academic programs.

She lives in Seattle with her husband and two children, and enjoys art, travel, gardening, and outdoor adventures.