Kara Watada

Kara Watada has over 18 years of experience in the business and retail industry. Kara started their career in 2002 as an Intern and Business Development Analyst at Daymon. Kara then worked as an Account Coordinator at Faction Media in 2007, followed by Account Manager roles at Factory Design Labs and The1stMovement in 2008 and 2011 respectively. In 2011, they also took on the role of Client Services Lead at Deloitte Digital. Kara then moved to Fear Not, LLC in 2012 as an Account Director. In 2014, they became the Director of Off-Premise at Chipotle Mexican Grill. In 2019, they were promoted to Senior Manager/Director of New Business Models at VF Corporation. In 2021, they joined VF Venture Foundry as a Senior Venture Catalyst and Founding Member. Currently, they are the Head of Growth at Out&Back Outdoor, Inc.

Kara Watada attended the University of Colorado Boulder - Leeds School of Business from 2001 to 2006, where they earned a Bachelor's of Science in Marketing with a focus in Marketing and International Business. In 2005, they also attended Sophia University for Japanese and Japanese Management. Additionally, they earned a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) from the University of Colorado Boulder, with a double degree in Marketing and Japanese, as well as an International Business Certificate.