Leader’s Corner: Kathy O’Donnell, Gong

Discover how Gong’s Senior Director of EMEA Marketing leverages continuous learning and team collaboration to drive long-term success in her marketing career.

Kathy O'Donnell has carved a remarkable path in the world of marketing, rising to become the Senior Director of EMEA Marketing at Gong. In this Leader's Corner interview, O’Donnell shares insights into her journey, emphasising the importance of continuous learning, teamwork and long-term impact in driving success.

Leader's Corner Insights with 

Kathy O'Donnell

• A journey of continuous learning
• Building impact over time
• Team-driven success
• The value of peer connections

A journey of continuous learning

Kathy O'Donnell is no stranger to hard work and dedication, yet she was taken aback when she learned of her recent accolade. "Honestly, I was very surprised and, of course, very honoured," Kathy admits. "I didn't see it coming and am very curious how I got nominated and picked, but I'm obviously delighted and honoured."

O’Donnell’s career journey is a testament to the power of continuous learning. Starting as an event organiser, she has steadily climbed the ranks, mastering various marketing skills along the way. "In the early days, I was learning the core skills," she recalls. As she progressed, she honed her abilities in strategy planning, team development and leadership. 

"Learning to develop a team, and then how to let them go and fly, and become their own managers to see them be successful has been a crucial part of my growth," O’Donnell shares. Her approach to leadership revolves around a commitment to perpetual learning, both for herself and her team.

Building impact over time

Reflecting on her accomplishments, O’Donnell hesitates to single out any one initiative. Instead, she finds fulfilment in the long-term impact she has made at companies like Dropbox and Gong. "I was one of the first marketing hires at both companies in EMEA," she explains. 

"It's less about a single initiative and more about building and seeing how the work you're doing, building your team, impacts the growth of the business over time." For O’Donnell, the true reward lies in contributing to an organisation's success over the long haul, rather than in any one campaign.

Team-driven success

Despite her personal achievements, O’Donnell is quick to acknowledge the vital role her team plays in her success. "I'd like to say this is all on me, but any marketing leader is only as good as the team behind them," she says with humility. 

At Gong, she's fortunate to lead a group of talented marketers known for producing outstanding content. "Me being here is really a testament to the whole marketing organisation rather than just the work I do on my own," O’Donnell emphasises.

The value of peer connections

O’Donnell also recognises the importance of staying connected with peers and continually learning from others. "You learn so much just by listening to others," she says. 

Whether it's catching up with an old marketing colleague or attending a panel discussion, she finds value in the insights shared by her peers. "Every time you do it, you learn something new," she notes. For O’Donnell, these connections and the shared learning they provide are invaluable, reinforcing her belief in the power of continuous learning and peer support.

Watch the full Leader’s Corner interview with Kathy O’Donnell.

Leader's Corner: check out our line-up of HotTopics Leaders Profile interviews.

HotTopics produces interviews with a diverse array of leaders, C-suite marketing and technology leaders. These take place in-person during our much-anticipated flagship event, The Studio, and virtually with leaders based all over the world. Learn more about what makes these leaders tick, and their experiences and expertise that have supported them in their careers so far.