Publisher Technology Platform Appoints Katie Derr as Chief Financial Officer and Trish Gerlitz as Chief People Officer

Sovrn, a leading publisher technology platform, has announced the appointments of Katie Derr as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and Trish Gerlitz as Chief People Officer (CPO). Both will join the company's leadership team, reporting directly to CEO Walter Knapp, and will be based in Sovrn's Boulder office. These appointments are key to driving organizational effectiveness and enhancing the company's growth and employee experience.

• Katie Derr's Role and Responsibilities as CFO

  • Katie Derr has been named Chief Financial Officer at Sovrn.
  • She will oversee corporate finance, accounting, financial planning and analysis (FP&A), and legal operations.
  • Derr's role is vital in supporting Sovrn's mission to empower publishers to thrive on the open web.
  • She brings a wealth of experience from her previous roles as CFO and COO at GEM Health Inc. and CFO at Techstars.

• Trish Gerlitz's Role and Responsibilities as CPO

  • Trish Gerlitz has been appointed Chief People Officer at Sovrn.
  • She will focus on expanding the capabilities of Sovrn's workforce and scaling the business.
  • Gerlitz will develop a People Team aimed at ensuring an exceptional experience for employees, which in turn benefits customers.
  • Her experience includes leading HR teams at CrossFit, the City of Boulder, Datalogix, and Requisite.

• CEO's Perspective on the Appointments

  • Walter Knapp, CEO of Sovrn, expressed excitement about the addition of Derr and Gerlitz to the leadership team.
  • Knapp highlighted their exceptional talent and ability to drive growth and efficiency within the company.
  • He emphasized the importance of their roles in maintaining the operational and cultural excellence at Sovrn.

• Background and Experience of Katie Derr

  • Derr has a strong background in finance and technology, with significant experience in the startup space.
  • At GEM Health Inc., she led business strategy and financial planning.
  • During her tenure at Techstars, Derr contributed to expanding access to entrepreneurship by growing accelerator programs and assets under management.

• Background and Experience of Trish Gerlitz

  • Gerlitz has a deep background in human resources, with a focus on fostering a high-performing and inclusive culture.
  • At CrossFit, she served as Vice President of People, managing the HR department.
  • Her work at the City of Boulder included participation in the Racial Equity Guiding Coalition, further showcasing her commitment to organizational improvement.

The appointments of Katie Derr as CFO and Trish Gerlitz as CPO mark a significant step forward for Sovrn as it continues to grow and enhance its operations. With their extensive experience in finance, technology, and human resources, Derr and Gerlitz are well-equipped to help Sovrn achieve its mission of empowering publishers and maintaining a thriving, people-focused culture.