Kathy Barrios

Oslo-Based CCO/CMO with Expertise in Scaling B2B Tech Companies Globally

I help power B2B startups' and scaleups' commercial growth. I am a C-level operator.A strategic and results-oriented C-level executive with extensive expertise in building, growing, and scaling B2B companies. Backed by over 20 years of experience in B2B enterprise sales, full-cycle revenue marketing communications, product marketing, and customer success.I excel at crafting and executing growth strategies that position companies as market leaders on a global stage. I’m equally adept at driving high-level strategic initiatives and rolling up my sleeves to be hands-on and operational, ensuring unsiloed seamless GTM execution and measurable results.

About
Recent Key Achievements

About Me

I'm Kathy Barrios (KB), a 46-year-old Colombian-American born in NY and raised in NJ, with a passion for bold ideas and even bolder lipstick (Mac Ruby Woo and Dior 999—if you know, you know). After landing in Norway in 2001, I’ve embraced it as my second home, though my roots remain proudly Colombian-American. I’m a wife, mom to two awesome kids, a sci-fi and fantasy nerd, and a world traveler—when I’m not busy avoiding cats (yes, I’m terrified of them) or loving on dogs.In my professional life, I’m a driven, passionate leader who’s not afraid to take risks or admit when I’m wrong. I believe in giving my all when I believe in something—or someone. Kindness is key for me, and life’s too short to deal with a-holes. I thrive on challenges, love fostering innovation, and have a knack for creating compelling stories that can scale tech companies globally.I'm passionate about launching new ventures and prefer action over inaction. I value teammates who tackle challenges head-on and I always root for the underdog. My career aspirations revolve around continuous learning, supporting innovators, and uplifting those around me.

Core Strengths

Building and leading high-growth cross-functional commercial teams, from strategy to execution.
Creating global brand leadership through data-driven marketing and customer engagement.
Expertise across EMEA, US, Latin American, and Asian markets.
Languages: English (Native), Spanish (Native), Norwegian (Fluent), French (Conversational).

Passions

Helping Norwegian tech companies expand globally.
Scaling shipping/logistics tech companies
Launching and scaling high-impact ventures with dynamic, innovative teams.
Supporting Founders and CEOs in executing commercial strategies to achieve market leadership.

Back

^{Made in the USA. Based in Oslo, Norway. Serving globally.}

Recent Key Achievements

CCO & CMO, Xeneta (2015–2024)

Scaled and supported the company from 20 to 250+ employees and raised $108M across three funding rounds (Series B-D: Lead Investors - Smedvig, Luxor Capital, Apax Digital).
Spearheaded the demand generation and brand marketing, PR strategy that established Xeneta as the global leader in shipping pricing analytics.
Grew ARR from $0 to $26M and achieved 94% GRR and 106% NRR by developing and executing robust GTM strategies, while building and leading high-performing, end-to-end marketing, customer success, and services teams.

Director, Global Marketing & Communications, Qt Company/Digia (2011–2015)

Positioned Qt as the leading software development platform behind some of the world’s most innovative and advanced software and hardware products.
Led global marketing for Qt through acquisitions with Nokia and Digia driving initial ARR from $0M to $50M.
Built and scaled a developer community program to over 1 million users, strengthening Qt’s market position as the leading global software development platform.
Pioneered revenue models for open-source software and oversaw product management in the latter part of my tenure, driving innovation and market leadership.

Back