Armed with an iron-clad work ethic, Gerlach was promoted to lead the entire agency partnership team at Ampersand in under two years—an almost unheard-of feat. She’s been integral in shaping upfront negotiations and driving outcomes, thanks largely to her solutions-driven approach and growth mindset. Those skills coupled with flexibility also served her well during previous career stops at DISH, Yume, Cadent and Vidmob. Gerlach benefited from a mentor early on who taught her that her career trajectory isn’t a ladder, but a jungle gym. Sometimes you must step back or to the side to take a larger step forward. “For me, it’s about perspective. While change is often unsettling, I tend to reframe it. I see change as an opportunity—an opportunity to evolve, move forward and grow,” she says. “And while I certainly do not want to diminish the spectrum of feelings that come with navigating change, I do tend to focus my perspective on the opportunities that lie ahead, so then for me, change becomes exciting.” Ampersand Chief Revenue Officer Ethan Heftman says Gerlach has stood out from Day 1. “Her ability to build and maintain strong relationships with clients is truly impressive, and she always goes above and beyond to ensure their satisfaction,” he says. “She is always looking for new ways to improve processes and deliver better results. Her creativity and strategic thinking have led to several successful initiatives that have significantly benefited our team and clients.”
CHAMPION
Ethan Heftman
“Katie’s reliability is unmatched. She consistently meets deadlines and exceeds expectations, no matter how demanding the task. Her ability to remain calm under pressure and find effective solutions to complex problems is truly commendable.”