Post by Kate Garcia

Plot twist! After 20 years as an operator, I’m doing something completely new. I’m joining The Cole Group as a Partner. This decision came down to people. I’ve known the Cole team for years. Bridget Haimberger was always my first call when I needed advice, market perspective, or just someone to vent to. Every interaction I’ve had with every Partner has been meaningful, valuable, and real. I’m really excited to now be a part of that. What makes Cole special is pretty simple: Service and GTM Expertise. This team is made up of people who have done the job. They’ve carried quotas, built teams, and scaled functions. That experience shapes how they partner with founders and leaders. It’s why companies like Cursor, Lovable, OpenAI, Stripe, and Figma trust them with their most important hires. The most rewarding moments in my career were never about the numbers. They were the conversations. Understanding what drives someone, helping them see what’s possible, and connecting them to a role where they can do their best work. Now I get to do that every day, alongside the best team. Let’s go!