Insight Partners sued by former vice president Kate Lowry

Kate Lowry, previously a vice president at Insight Partners, has initiated legal action against the firm, claiming she faced disability and gender discrimination, alongside wrongful termination. The lawsuit, filed on December 30 in San Mateo County, California, highlights what Lowry describes as a troubling culture within the venture capital industry. In an interview, Lowry expressed her motivations for pursuing the lawsuit, stating, "Too many powerful, wealthy people in venture act like it’s OK to break the law and systemically underpay and abuse their employees." She aims to challenge what she perceives as an oppressive environment that silences individuals through fear and intimidation. Lowry’s tenure at Insight Partners began in 2022, following her previous roles at Meta, McKinsey & Company, and a startup. The lawsuit alleges that upon her hiring, she was placed under a different supervisor than the one discussed during her interview process. According to the suit, her new supervisor demanded constant availability, instructing her to be online at all hours, including during holidays and weekends. The document further claims that Lowry's supervisor engaged in bullying behavior, making derogatory remarks and stating that the hazing she would face would be more intense than what male colleagues experienced. Allegedly, comments such as "you are incompetent, shut up and take notes" were directed at her, alongside demands for unquestioning obedience. Lowry also asserts that her supervisor assigned her redundant responsibilities, limiting her participation in important discussions while permitting less experienced male colleagues to contribute. This left her primarily with administrative duties, leading to significant stress and health issues. Following medical advice, she took a leave of absence from February to July 2023. Upon her return, Lowry was assigned to a new team under the condition that if they were dissatisfied with her performance, she would face termination. After suffering a concussion in September 2023, she took another medical leave, only to find her situation unchanged when she returned. Moreover, she claims that her salary was about 30% below the market rate in 2024, and in April 2025, she was informed of an impending pay cut. After communicating her grievances through legal representation in May 2025, Lowry was terminated just a week later. This lawsuit echoes the high-profile case of Ellen Pao against Kleiner Perkins in 2012, which shed light on discrimination in venture capital, prompting a broader conversation about women’s treatment in the industry.