Insight Partners Sued by Former Vice President Kate Lowry

Kate Lowry, a former vice president at Insight Partners, has filed a lawsuit against the firm alleging disability discrimination, gender discrimination, and wrongful termination. The complaint was filed on December 30 in San Mateo County, California, according to court documents reviewed by TechCrunch.

Insight Partners did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Lowry told TechCrunch that she pursued legal action 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.”

“It’s an oppressive system that reflect[s] broader trends in society that use fear, intimidation, and power to silence and isolate truth,” Lowry said. “I’m trying to change that.”

Lowry began working at Insight Partners in 2022, after previously holding roles at Meta, McKinsey & Company, and an early-stage startup. According to the lawsuit, she was assigned to a different supervisor than the one with whom she was introduced during the interview process.

The suit alleges that her first supervisor, a woman, instructed her to be “online all the time, including PTO, holidays, and weekends,” and to respond to messages between 6 a.m. and 11 p.m. daily. Lowry further claims that this supervisor “berated, hazed, and antagonized” her and described a hazing process that would be “longer and more intense” than what male direct reports experienced.

Among the comments allegedly made by the supervisor, according to the filing, were statements such as “you are incompetent, shut up and take notes” and “you need to obey me like a dog; do whatever I say whenever I say it, without speaking.” The lawsuit also alleges that Lowry was assigned redundant tasks and was restricted from participating in calls, while less-experienced male colleagues were permitted to do so. Instead, she asserts she was assigned to administrative duties, including note-taking and cataloguing.

Lowry said she became “increasingly ill” due to the work environment and that her physician recommended a medical leave of absence. She was granted leave from February to July 2023, according to the suit.

Upon returning to work, Lowry was placed on a new team and alleges she was told by the head of human resources that “if the new team did not like her, she would be fired.” In September 2023, Lowry said she suffered a concussion and took another medical leave, returning to work near the end of 2024.

Following staff departures, Lowry was assigned to another supervisor, at which time she claims the mistreatment continued. She also alleges that in 2024, her compensation was approximately 30% below market rates.

By April 2025, Lowry says she was informed that her compensation would be reduced. In May 2025, through her attorneys, she sent a letter to Insight Partners outlining her allegations regarding workplace treatment. According to the lawsuit, her employment was terminated one week later.

The case bears comparison with Ellen Pao’s 2012 lawsuit against Kleiner Perkins, which alleged discrimination and retaliation. Although Pao ultimately lost her case, it brought rare public scrutiny to workplace dynamics within venture capital and was followed by additional lawsuits from women against major technology companies.

The lawsuit against Insight Partners is ongoing.