Insight Partners sued by former vice president Kate Lowry

Kate Lowry, a former vice president at Insight Partners, has filed a lawsuit against the venture capital firm in San Mateo County, California. According to the suit, which was filed on December 30, Lowry is alleging disability discrimination, gender discrimination, and wrongful termination. Lowry, who previously worked at Meta and McKinsey & Company, joined Insight Partners in 2022. The legal action details her treatment under a supervisor she was assigned to after being hired.

The lawsuit alleges a pattern of workplace abuse. Lowry claims her supervisor instructed her to be online at all times, including during PTO, holidays, and weekends, and to respond daily between 6 a.m. and 11 p.m. The suit alleges that the supervisor berated, hazed, and antagonized Lowry. According to the filing, the supervisor told Lowry she was incompetent, told her to shut up and take notes, and demanded she obey like a dog. Lowry was allegedly relegated to administrative tasks while less experienced male colleagues were allowed to participate in calls. Lowry became increasingly ill because of the work environment, leading her physician to advise a medical leave of absence, which she took from February to July 2023.

Upon her return, Lowry was placed on a new team. The head of human resources allegedly told Lowry that if the new team did not like her, she would be fired. In September 2023, Lowry sustained a concussion, leading to another medical leave. She returned to work near the end of 2024 under a new supervisor, where she alleges the poor treatment continued. The suit states that in 2024, Lowry’s compensation was about 30% below the market rate. By April 2025, she was told her compensation would be cut. After Lowry sent a letter to Insight Partners regarding her treatment in May of 2025, the firm terminated her employment a week later.

Lowry, the former vice president at Insight Partners, stated she filed the suit because she believes “too many powerful, wealthy people in venture act like it’s OK to break the law and systemically underpay and abuse their employees.” The lawsuit draws comparisons to the 2012 Ellen Pao v. Kleiner Perkins case, highlighting ongoing concerns regarding how women are treated within the venture capital industry.

Why it matters

The lawsuit alleges systemic discrimination and abuse at a major venture capital firm, drawing comparisons to the landmark Ellen Pao v. Kleiner Perkins case.