Celebrating Women in Technology: Q&A With Jennifer Schutz, Senior Vice President of Business Operations at Kantata

In honor of Women’s History Month, we are sharing a collection of candid Q&As with women at Kantata who are leading the way in the industry. Each conversation highlights their impressive achievements and unique experiences in the technology industry.

In this Q&A, we spoke with Jennifer Schutz, Senior Vice President of Business Operations at Kantata, about some of the work she’s most proud of, her four-part advice for aspiring female leaders, and more.

1. How did you navigate your career path to reach your current executive role at Kantata, and what advice would you give aspiring women leaders?

My biggest “aha” career moment was realizing that I am the architect of my career, not my manager. Many companies don’t automatically provide mentorship, so it took wanting a change in my career to spark the realization that I own my own career path. For aspiring women leaders, my advice is this:

• Become an Expert: Dig deep into understanding different roles, career paths, and possibilities. Use books, certifications, networking – own the knowledge.
• Expect Change and Embrace It: Your goals will evolve. Stay energized by work that matters and keeps you learning. There’s no one “right” timeline for success.
• Plan and Advocate: I built a multi-year career roadmap outlining the skills needed to reach the executive level. Now, my roadmap helps me see the next steps for continued growth. Don’t be afraid to ask for what you want!
• Seek And Embrace Feedback: Feedback, even when uncomfortable, is how we improve. Peers offer insight into your current role, while leaders help you build capabilities for the next level. Both are essential to your journey.

Remember that your career is a journey! I actively seek feedback and set personal and professional goals for capability growth and leadership development. I’m still learning every day, and my journey continues!

2. How do you balance professional responsibilities and personal well-being, and what strategies have you found effective in maintaining a healthy work-life integration?

I am passionate about my work, which often translates to extended hours. I’ve embraced this as a core part of my personality and a contributor to my success – after all, if you love what you do, it doesn’t feel like work. However, I understand that finding a healthy balance is crucial.

To maintain well-being, here’s what works for me:

• Digital Detox: I fully shut down my computer at the end of the day. This creates a mental separation between work and personal time. I’m still reachable on my cell as needed, but this ‘shut down’ allows me to step away mentally at the end of the day.
• Physical Recharge: Exercise clears my head. To enforce a mental break, I pair my treadmill time with foreign films (subtitles keep me focused).
• The Power of Reading: I love immersing myself in a good book as much as possible. It provides a welcome mental escape and promotes relaxation and creative thinking.
• Family Connection: When feeling overwhelmed, connecting with my family or friends for a quick chat and a laugh always puts things in perspective and boosts me to tackle the next task.

Finding your own unique balance is key. These strategies help me integrate my work and personal life in a way that supports both my professional goals and overall well-being.

3. Can you speak on any of your recent accomplishments? What are you most proud of in your work at Kantata?

One of my proudest recent achievements was completing Accel-KKR’s intensive Ascend leadership program. This 9-month experience partnered me with leaders across AKKR’s portfolio companies for collaboration, skill-building, accountability, and feedback (a lot of feedback). Balancing the program with my daily work demanded ruthless time management and prioritization.

Ascend’s most transformative aspect was how it forced participants to take assertive ownership of their leadership development and confidently advocate for the resources essential to growth. The program’s focus and clarity, combined with the skills I honed, directly contributed to my promotion to an executive role at Kantata. It was a demanding yet life-changing professional experience.

4. In honor of Women’s History Month, can you highlight a woman leader who has inspired or influenced your career, and how did their impact shape your leadership style?

My aunt, Julie Valentine, has deeply shaped my career path. A renowned nurse, researcher, and sexual violence expert, her work has transformed policy and practice. She fearlessly balances scientific breakthroughs with hands-on mentorship and holds prestigious titles like the Ida May “Dotty” Barnes, R.N. and D. Keith Barnes, M.D. Presidential Endowed Chair at the University of Utah.

Yet, she’s still the same aunt who took me to the zoo, offered fashion advice, and never hesitated to tell me when I was wrong. Julie has taught me that women can be compassionate and fiercely driven while changing the world without losing their core values. From her, I got my first business book, “Nice Girls Don’t Get the Corner Office,” and to this day, she provides invaluable career insights.

Julie demonstrates that careers evolve, and the most effective leaders know when to ask for help, when to listen, and how to empower others, even through failure. No obstacle is too large with the right team and an unwavering vision.

Learn More

Jennifer is one of many women at Kantata who are driving results both within their organization and within the technology industry. To hear more stories from the women at Kantata, browse the entire Women in Technology series here. And to learn more about career opportunities at Kantata, visit this page.