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Kat Garcia

Kat Garcia (Kathleen Garcia-Manjarres) is the co-founder & co-CEO of Ground.

She previously invested, built, and scaled fintechs alongside some of the world’s most influential companies at BCG Digital Ventures as a Growth Architect, and while working in corporate venture capital. Combining her experience as the interim Head of Growth for ventures, and management consulting at Accenture, she has supported the biggest players in financial services from the likes of AMEX, TD Ameritrade, UBS, and many more.

She’s been an early online community builder with 15 years in the creator economy across platforms, a former Canadian television/film actor, and independent artist.

Garcia graduated from McGill University. B.Com - Bachelor of Commerce with a triple concentration in Information Systems, Finance and Marketing.

She was born and raised in Montreal, Canada with Colombian roots and resides in New York City.

Business

The credits to her name span across diverse industries that may not seem similar at first glance, however an overarching theme in her life is the cross between creativity and analysis. She understands different facets of management due to her extensive and distinct experiences; they have allowed her to strategize in innovative ways, bridge gaps and solve business problems through a set of creative tools.

Prior to BCG Digital Ventures and a career in consulting at Accenture, she worked in digital advertising in Vancouver; as a Business Consultant (IT & Marketing specialist) for one of Canada's largest e-commerces, Beyond the Rack under the current Chief Supply Chain Officer for Staples, and in corporate finance alongside the Business Development Bank of Canada negotiating a key M&A. She co-authored an article for Forbes alongside renowned Professor, Karl Moore. "Suits" actor playing the famous "Harvey Spector" shared the article and it has received honorable mentions from Outliers author, Malcolm Gladwell and academic, Henry Mintzberg. In 2016, she received the Prix Fierte Latino-Americaine - awarded to a young woman of Colombian origin possessing an entrepreneurial spirit and having shown leadership in her community. In addition, she continuously speaks at university conferences and connects to young graduates and students to share her experiences and empower the younger generation.

Moreover, Garcia finds ways to marry her former career in film to her omni-present one as a business woman: Catch new episodes of “The Corporate Diary” on YouTube, where Kat Garcia interviews women in male-dominated fields shedding light on a feminist point of view, while candidly speaking about her personal journey.

Kat Garcia as Molly Martinez in ‘Role Play’

Kat Garcia as Molly Martinez in ‘Role Play’

Kat Garcia as Chastity Gomez Baker in ‘Tactik’

Kat Garcia as Chastity Gomez Baker in ‘Tactik’

Film & Television

Her work comprises of both French and English film and television, one of her greatest roles being on TeleQuebec's acclaimed television series "Tactik" as Chastity Gomez- Baker. Other works include a principal role on "Role Play", a short film that premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in 2013 and many commercials for big brands, such as, Activia Yogurt and the Quebec's "Ministere de la Sante et des Services Sociaux".

Garcia was signed to a talent agency in early 2008 and soon found her niche in television. She was signed with Canada's most recognized Amanda Rosenthal Agency in Montreal and Toronto and The Characters in Vancouver though she attributes most of her success to Da Vinci Talent. As Chastity Gomez-Baker, the jocular character, Kat Garcia was asked to go from a guest-starring appearance role to a recurring principal where she continued on for a second season. During such time, whe was featured as the singer for the theme show song for the TV Show “Jack”. From the makers of “Caillou”, “Jack” played on TVO Kids, Knowledge Kids and BBC.

Shortly after building her foundation in French television, whe worked alongside director, Alex Epstein (co-screenwriter of Bon Cop Bad Cop) as Molly Martinez in short-film "Role Play". The dark drama was featured at the Cannes International Film Festival in May 2013 (Not So Short On Talent) and screened at the Vancouver International Film Festival in October 2013. 

In 2015, "Gurov & Anna" premiered in South Korea and has played in many movie theatres across Montreal whereby Kat held a secondary role alongside the talented, Sophie Desmarais.   

Most importantly, she created a name for herself on Youtube when her "acting tutorials" videos and auditions went viral. She continuously posted covers on Youtube and taught fans how to act and break out into the acting industry. With a passion for Google Analytics, she created a website and medium for her followers to ask questions regarding the acting industry. After received more than 1M views on Youtube and thousands of Youtube followers, Kat Garcia made it her mission to pursue her knowledge in the domain of business.

Kat Garcia singing at Club Soda in Montreal
Kat Garcia performs Can We Go Back at UQAM in Montreal
Kat Garcia headlines the Burlesque fashion show at Mercedes Benz

Music

Opening act for Karl Wolf, Danny Fernandes, and Young Money, the singer/songwriter got her shot in music at a very early age. She has performed at Club Soda alongside sponsors ranging from Virgin Radio to Popstar Magazine and Le Palais du Congres in Montreal. Her music has been showcased around North and South America ranging from radio stations to clothing stores including Lacoste, Claire’s, Le Garage and Wet Seal - all contracts she negotiated herself.  With personal interviews with CTV, CBC Homerun, CJAD, and Radio Centre-Ville, Kat has voiced her opinions at a young age regarding issues close to her heart, such as: education, mainstream media, misogyny and her own music.  She continues to take on challenges as a mezzo-soprano vocalist.