Witad Awards 2026: Technology leader of the year (vendor)—Kate Stepp, FactSet

What is your position within your firm?
Kate Stepp, FactSet: I recently moved from the CTO role to my new role as chief AI officer, focusing on driving the development and deployment of AI capabilities across the company’s products and client solutions.

How long have you been in the financial services industry?
Stepp: I have worked in the financial services and technology industry for over 20 years. 

How did you get into the industry? Was it a conscious decision or did you “fall” into it?
Stepp: All my life I’ve excelled in math and loved problem-solving, and technology is the perfect application of those strengths. Additionally, I was interested in the stock market at an early age—I remember highlighting and tracking stock prices in the newspaper in my fictitious portfolio as early as primary school. A profession in fintech turned out to be a great cross-section of interests and proficiency. FactSet’s collaborative approach to software engineering is what attracted me to the company specifically, and the never-ending set of new problems to solves and new opportunities to lead larger teams throughout my career is what kept me engaged and always looking for the next challenge.

What does your day-to-day role entail?
Stepp: My day-to-day entails speaking to CTOs, CDOs and chief AI officers (CAIOs) at our clients, sharing our strategy and getting feedback and insights on what their challenges are; working with partner firms on how we advance AI capabilities for our clients together; collaborating with my product and engineering teams to create a dynamic AI platform that empowers our business units to build and innovate quickly; and partnering across the organization to further accelerate the rollout of AI solutions in each client type.

What single project/piece of work are you most proud of during your career in the industry to date?
Stepp: If I had to pick one, it would be the creation of our Signals product, which brought valuable insights to our clients based on FactSet’s broad universe of connected data. The most exciting part about the Signals product is that not only was it valuable when we released it many years ago, but today it becomes even more valuable as an input to agentic workflow allowing users to initiate agent action based off of market events, data changes, and predictive signals.

What are you currently working on and what makes it significant in the context of your position?
Stepp: My team is building foundational components and capabilities that accelerate the creation of advanced autonomous digital agents that will become embedded in financial workflows. This initiative is significant because it redefines productivity, liberates clients from manual tasks, and solidifies FactSet’s leadership in secure, innovative enterprise technology.

The pace of change in today’s AI revolution has been the most challenging of my career, but also the most fulfilling as it has forced a whole new approach to modernization and allowed for reinvention in a way that is not just accepted, but required

To what extent were you helped during your career by a mentor/role model within the business?
Stepp: At every promotion throughout my 18 years at FactSet, it was a mentor who reached out to me and encouraged me to apply for a stretch role. It always took someone else to plant the seed, ask the question, and give a little push for me to step outside of my comfort zone, and it always paid off. I’m immensely grateful for the colleagues along the way who saw something in me and cared enough to give me that push.

To what extent does your firm have a formalized framework that seeks to identify and promote talented women and ensure they have every opportunity to realize their ambitions and contribute to the business?
Stepp: FactSet has formal programs for talent development, with targeted initiatives to attract, retain, and promote women across the organization. We empower leadership pathways, support mentorship, and foster a culture where diverse voices are integral to our success.

What was the greatest obstacle you had to overcome during your career in the industry to date?
Stepp: The pace of change in today’s AI revolution has been the most challenging of my career, but also the most fulfilling as it has forced a whole new approach to modernization and allowed for reinvention in a way that is not just accepted, but required.

What is the most valuable lesson you’ve learned so far during your career?
Stepp: You’re often your own biggest critic. Trust yourself, your peers, and value your unique skillsets.

What would you advise women just entering the industry?
Stepp: Ask questions, seek mentorship, and pursue projects that excite you. Don’t be afraid to chart your own path—your perspective has unique value. Build your network, advocate for yourself, and never stop learning.

What does this award mean to you?
Stepp: It is an immense honor, and a tribute to the collaborative spirit of my teams and mentors. This recognition inspires me to keep advancing opportunities for women in technology and to drive meaningful innovation that empowers others.