Chair, Stanford Interdisciplinary Life Science Council, former Vice President, American Express
Santa Barbara, CA
Kath Lavidge’s primary business career was with American Express. She created businesses as a new product development executive including developing the company’s revolving credit feature; expanded businesses as a marketing executive for Green and Gold Card; and led businesses as a general manager, transforming Amex’s ATM and Point of Sale businesses. Before Yale Business School she was a pioneer in implementing gender-neutral testing for first responders as a human resources officer for The City of Jackson, Mississippi.
For decades Kath has served on not-for-profit boards and managed projects for nonprofit organizations. For the past nine years she has chaired the Bio-X and the Interdisciplinary Life Science advisory councils at Stanford, believing passionately about the need to support basic science. During her years in London, she served as chair of ChildHope, UK, an international NGO addressing the needs of street children. She is currently co-chair of the Council for Arts and Lectures at the University of California, Santa Barbara. Kath is also engaged in local volunteer activities including the Women’s Fund and Human Rights Watch.
Kath and her husband have two children. She enjoys biking, hiking, water skiing, and reading. Kath earned an MBA from the Yale School of Management and an AB in psychology from Stanford.
DCI Partner: Edward McKinley