Kate Barton is a global board director, philanthropist, and business advisor. To these roles, she brings 38 years of proven experience in global P&L management, strategy development, digital transformation, operational leadership, governance, and public accounting tax and law.

Kate’s distinctive career began at EY, a $50B organization operating in 150 countries, where she worked her way up from intern to Global Vice Chair of the Tax, Law and People Advisory Services business unit. She was one of the top 15 partners reporting to the Chair and running the firm as a member of the Global Executive. This board set the firm’s overall strategy and worked to globalize the organization and its practices further. Key focus areas included governance, policy, cybersecurity, global ERP and CRM implementation oversight, technology builds to support services, including building a SAAS unit, shared service centres, acquisitions, talent development, innovation, and thought leadership.

Kate served as Global CEO of EY’s Tax, Law and People Advisory Services business (2018 – 2023), leading a workforce of 70K+ professionals, generating revenues of $12B+, and achieving #1 in brand and market share. Before this role, Kate led the Americas tax practice for nine years, encompassing the US, Canada, Israel, and Latin America. During these experiences, she built a reputation as one of the hardest-working visionaries in professional services, and she takes pride in being known for a leadership approach rooted in integrity, inclusion, and collaboration.

Kate’s community and philanthropic interests are focused on expanding opportunities for students and young professionals. Her board service includes the All Stars Project, Shanti Bhavan Children’s Project, The Ireland Funds, and the Dean’s Advisory Board at Boston College Law School and Boston University School of Management.

Kate received a B.S. from Boston University, a J.D. from Boston College Law School, Magna Cum Laude, Order of the Coif, and an LL.M. in Taxation from Boston University School of Law. She is a CPA and a member of the Massachusetts Society of CPAs, the AICPA, the American Bar Association, the Massachusetts Bar Association and New York Bar Association. Kate is also NACD Director Certified and received CERT Certification in Cybersecurity Oversight, Carnegie Mellon University.