TL;DR
Kate Lowry, who joined Insight Partners in 2022 after roles at Meta and McKinsey, filed a lawsuit on December 30 in San Mateo County alleging disability discrimination, gender discrimination and wrongful termination. The suit details persistent hostile treatment, medical leaves, alleged pay below market, and a termination weeks after attorneys raised complaints with the firm.
What happened
Kate Lowry, a former vice president at Insight Partners, filed suit on December 30 in San Mateo County asserting disability discrimination, gender discrimination and wrongful termination. According to the complaint seen by TechCrunch, Lowry was hired in 2022 but assigned a different supervisor than discussed during interviews. She alleges that the first supervisor demanded constant availability, subjected her to verbal mistreatment and hazing, limited her participation in substantive work while assigning administrative tasks, and made demeaning remarks. Lowry says the environment caused health issues that led to a medical leave from February to July 2023. After returning she was moved to new teams, suffered a concussion in September 2023 which prompted another leave, and returned near the end of 2024. The suit claims her 2024 pay was roughly 30% below market, that an April 2025 pay cut was announced, and that Insight terminated her about a week after her attorneys sent a letter raising these concerns. Insight did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Why it matters
- The complaint raises questions about workplace culture and treatment of women in venture capital firms.
- Allegations include disability-related leave and retaliation, which could have legal implications for employer practices and compliance.
- The case echoes earlier high-profile discrimination suits in the venture ecosystem and could prompt scrutiny of internal HR handling and compensation practices.
- Outcomes could influence how investors and startups address claims of mistreatment, pay equity and accommodations.
Key facts
- Lawsuit filed December 30 in San Mateo County, California.
- Claims include disability discrimination, gender discrimination and wrongful termination.
- Lowry joined Insight Partners in 2022 after roles at Meta, McKinsey & Company, and an early-stage startup.
- Suit alleges she was assigned a different supervisor than discussed in her interview and faced demands for constant availability.
- She alleges verbal mistreatment, relegation to administrative tasks, and restricted participation compared with less experienced male colleagues.
- Took medical leave from February to July 2023 after becoming ill due to the work environment.
- Sustained a concussion in September 2023, took another medical leave, and returned near the end of 2024.
- Alleged 2024 compensation was about 30% below market; alleged pay cut announced in April 2025.
- Lowry’s attorneys sent a letter in May 2025; she was terminated about a week later, per the suit.
- Insight Partners did not immediately respond to TechCrunch’s request for comment.
What to watch next
- Whether Insight Partners files a public response or takes legal action in court.
- If the parties reach a settlement or the case proceeds to litigation (not confirmed in the source).
- Any internal investigations, policy changes, or public statements from Insight addressing the allegations (not confirmed in the source).
Quick glossary
- Disability discrimination: Unfavorable treatment of an employee because of a disability, including failure to provide reasonable accommodations.
- Wrongful termination: A firing that violates employment law or an employment contract, including retaliation for protected activity.
- Venture capital: A form of private equity financing provided to startups and early-stage companies deemed to have high growth potential.
- Medical leave: Authorized time off from work for health reasons, which may be covered by company policy or applicable law.
Reader FAQ
What allegations does the lawsuit make?
The suit alleges disability discrimination, gender discrimination and wrongful termination, along with claims of verbal mistreatment, hazing and inequitable work assignments.
When and where was the suit filed?
The complaint was filed on December 30 in San Mateo County, California.
Did Insight Partners respond to the reporting?
According to the article, Insight Partners did not immediately respond to TechCrunch’s request for comment.
Is this case similar to other high-profile venture discrimination suits?
The report notes the suit is reminiscent of the Ellen Pao case, which spotlighted discrimination claims in venture capital, but specific legal outcomes for this case are not confirmed in the source.
Kate Lowry, a former vice president at Insight Partners, is suing the firm, alleging disability discrimination, gender discrimination, and wrongful termination, according to a suit filed on December 30 in San…
Sources
- Insight Partners sued by former vice president Kate Lowry
- Former VC Vice President Sues Insight Partners for Being ' …
- Former Venture Capital Executive Files Lawsuit Against …
- Insight Partners sued by ex-VP over gender discrimination …
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