EP132: Big G Growth: Crunchbase’s AI-Driven Outbound Strategy

Kate Long, VP of Marketing at Crunchbase, shares how her team is leading a bold transformation—from a product-led growth model to a sales-led, AI-powered strategy. 

In this conversation, Kate breaks down how Crunchbase is leveraging predictive signals to deliver meaningful value earlier in the buyer journey, before prospects even know they’re in-market.

Kate also opens up about leading teams through change, upskilling marketers to become “horizontal AI orchestrators,” and why aligning with sales isn’t just smart—it’s essential. 

You'll take away practical insights on how to adapt, stay human in a tech-heavy world and build sustainable "Big G Growth" in a rapidly evolving marketing landscape.

Leader Generation is hosted by Tessa Burg and brought to you by Mod Op. 

About Kate Long:

Kate Long is the Vice President of Marketing at Crunchbase. She is passionate about driving sustainable, long-term growth by deeply understanding the customer and optimizing the full marketing ecosystem. Her expertise spans performance marketing, partner expansion, brand transformation and product-led growth, all aimed at creating lasting impact. As a marketing innovator, strategist and operator, Kate has built brands, defined new categories and sparked product enthusiasm across high-growth B2B and B2C SaaS companies, as well as within the Fortune 500. She believes true success is rooted in people and is dedicated to mentoring the next generation of marketing talent.

About Tessa Burg:

Tessa is the Chief Technology Officer at Mod Op and Host of the Leader Generation podcast. She has led both technology and marketing teams for 15+ years. Tessa initiated and now leads Mod Op's AI/ML Pilot Team, AI Council, and Innovation Pipeline. She started her career in IT and development before following her love for data and strategy into digital marketing. Tessa has held roles on both the consulting and client sides of the business for domestic and international brands, including American Greetings, Amazon, Nestlé, Anlene, Moen and many more. Tessa can be reached on LinkedIn or at Tessa.Burg@ModOp.com.