Founder & Partner @ Kanvas | Foster Innovation, Develop Business Strategy, Drive Growth

Katie Nowak

It’s been 3 years without my dad.
Here’s what I'm reflecting on today -

My dad taught me to build a career that I loved.

He did that by taking me to his medical presentations and dinners around the world when I was young.

I remember I joined him at a private investigator meeting in Munich, Germany, and his colleagues were torn over whether or not Dr. Nowak’s 12-year-old daughter needed to sign an NDA to attend. 😂 

In that same meeting, he introduced himself as being from “Day-toi,” instead of Detroit, as everyone else was from various European cities. Lots of laughter ensued, and the whole room suddenly felt warmer, kinder. It was his magic.

Every time I travel internationally for work or step on stage (virtually or in-person), I think of my dad. 

Every time I make a pun or a joke in a meeting (approx 23408 times a day) and see my team light up, I think of my dad.

I wish I could share with him how watching his love of his work, and thus his love of people, all over the world fundamentally shaped who I am today….

…someone who loves what she does.

I often reflect on how I could someday pay this forward to my future family, someday.

How could I involve them in international travel? Have them attend my presentations or panels? Ask them to join me while I write invoices in my office? (That was hilarious - “what do you think, Kate, let’s add an hour, I read fast!!”) … and how might I make each shared moment more fun than the last?

Today, I’m reflecting that I hope to be even half of the role model that he was for me.

I hope this inspires a reflection for you, too - he would love that.

Miss you, dad.

—
I'm Katie Nowak, an investor, innovation leader, and new venture designer sharing examples & lessons weekly. Follow me + hit 🔔 to stay tuned.

Innovation Leader, New Venture Designer, Speaker @ Kanvas || Investor @ Altra Venture Partners

∙ Taking products from -1 to 1+: collecting user stories to making tradeoffs for the product roadmap
∙ Translating between sales and engineering
∙ Distilling user stories into clear roadmaps
∙ Strengthening storytelling and fundraising strategies
∙ Mediating tough conversations and unlocking strategic partnerships
∙ Guiding teams through conflict and complexity

Aaisha Bhuiyan

Quick favor for 2026 planning season: I’m looking for intros to corporate sponsors for Emerging Founder School.

Emerging Founder School is a cohort-based fellowship for first-time startup founders, typically mid-career professionals, building B2B SaaS in fintech, healthtech, and supply chain.

If you own corporate giving + sponsorship budgets for startup programs (or you know who does), would you DM me or tag them here?

taplio

The Battle

Katie Nowak

Aaisha Bhuiyan

Followers

Posts

Engagements

Likes

Performance ScoreKatie Nowak's LinkedIn Performance

Performance ScoreAaisha Bhuiyan's LinkedIn Performance

Ready to grow your LinkedIn presence?

taplio

The Battle

Katie Nowak

Aaisha Bhuiyan

Followers

Posts

Engagements

Likes

Performance Score.css-goub6s{font-size:var(--chakra-fontSizes-md);font-weight:500;color:var(--chakra-colors-gray-600);display:block;margin-top:var(--chakra-space-1);}Katie Nowak's LinkedIn Performance

Performance ScoreAaisha Bhuiyan's LinkedIn Performance

Ready to grow your LinkedIn presence?

Performance ScoreKatie Nowak's LinkedIn Performance