Kathy featured by alma mater
Originally published by San Diego State University Alumni Association
Meet San Diego State University alumna Kathy Kyle. Kathy is a double alumna and graduated from SDSU in both 1999 and 2004. Using her passion for entrepreneurship, Kathy went on to found DigiKind and Amplia Group. She is also currently launching a wearable art brand and pursuing B-Corp certification. As an active SDSU alumna, Kathy stays connected through mentorship and alumni groups.
Learn more about Kathy below:
Q: What is your current title and company name?
Director and Founder, DigiKind / Co-Founder and Partner, Amplia Group
Q: Describe your journey to SDSU.
I qualified for a scholarship; my dad was a disabled vet and my mom a Vietnamese immigrant. As a first generation American, the daughter of a Vietnamese immigrant and a disabled veteran, I qualified for a scholarship through the California Department of Veterans Affairs. I was required to maintain a certain GPA and stay under a financial threshold in order to receive funding. I ended up attaining a very good GPA and earning scholarships from Golden Key, Mortar Board and membership in national honour societies like Phi Beta Kappa, Phi Eta Sigma and Phi Kappa Phi. Scholarship Director Kathie Ross was a great supporter and helped me navigate the financial process of funding my education. I held down three jobs whilst I was at SDSU and volunteered as an SDSU Ambassador (whilst I was President, I received a small stipend) and served the Emerging Leader Programme. I wanted to give back and help other first time college students like me.
Q: How have you used your SDSU education to achieve success in your career?
I am a purpose-driven entrepreneur. That foundation began at SDSU through servant leadership. If it wasn’t for my dynamic experience at SDSU: learning to be a servant leader, connecting with the incredible diverse community, being pushed both academically and creatively, I would not have had the foundation upon which to build my career. I received the Dean Margery Warmer Outstanding Female Graduating Senior Award, SDSU Quest for the Best, Rotary and served as SDSU Ambassador President. Those leadership roles taught me to listen to my peers and colleagues, learn from my mistakes, and to embrace humility. I had the most incredible role models in the faculty, advisors, and in my fellow students. My first job out of college was with the US government - I was hired under the ‘Outstanding Scholar Programme’ - which is a special hiring authority that recognized students with a particular GPA. I have always wanted to make a difference in my work and I know that this dedication to community building and helping others began at SDSU. Over the past 25 years, I have helped to launch a US federal agency as a comms director, served as marketing and comms director for a global consultancy, launched multi-award-winning agencies in the US and the UK, angel invested in a tech for good, and am now launching a sustainable art business.
Image courtesy of Richard Chen, SDSU Ambassadors
Q: How do you stay connected to SDSU?
SDSU Alumni LinkedIn groups, our Ambassador Alumni group, and always supporting alums when asked. I moved to Washington DC to lead national VA programmes and then emigrated to the UK for love (it’s our 13th wedding anniversary this year). I stay in regular contact with SDSU Alumni through LinkedIn groups, stay connected through social media with my SDSU Ambassador community, and have returned to San Diego for SDSU Ambassador Alumni events. Whenever an Ambo or Alum visits London, we always connect and help each other, whatever the ask is - whether it is support for work, or just visiting London. (I know all of the best places for a pint and a curry - or fish and chips if that’s your thing!)
Q: What is your favorite memory from SDSU?
So many proud moments! But meeting and spending quality time with diverse, talented friends. I discovered life-long friends at SDSU — who are still with me to this day, 25 years later — and some who sadly we have lost. I am lucky to have a lot of proud moments at the University; but when it comes down to it, just having amazing memories with your friends, forging life-long friendships, is part of what I loved so much about SDSU. The community of diverse, talented, incredible people. That was always the best, and always will be.
Q: What advice do you have for current SDSU students or recent alumni?
Live your values and always remain purpose-driven in your activities. Do good for the sake of it, because it is the right thing to do, not because someone told you to do it. Stay connected with faculty, advisors and friends; those genuine, reciprocal networks matter. Build authentic relationships and don’t reach out only for your ends. Volunteer, give back and pay it forward.
Q: Do you have any special projects, awards, or recent accomplishments you'd like to share?
I am launching an ethical, sustainable wearable art brand and am also undertaking B-Corp certification. I was recently designated Buy Women Built - a movement dedicated to mobilising people to buy from female-founded businesses with the goal of creating a stronger, fairer economy. I was recently featured on BBC’s Breakfast Show Southeast, where the BBC Deputy Director and I chatted about my volunteer and local work in the community and launching my new dream business. Last year, I was named Surrey Community Business of the Year and BizBubble Best Community Business and the Federation of Small Business Community Award winner in the South East of England, 2023. I also received recognition as: Small Business Sunday, Small Business Britain’s Top 100 inspiring businesses and Top 100 Female Entrepreneurs. I was named one of the Top 15 Entrepreneurs to Watch in the Southeast two years in a row, and was also named Best Businesswoman Award Silver Winner: Marketing and PR, Technology/STEM, Best New Business, and also received BizBubble Top100 Business Winner for two consecutive years.
Q: Any other additional information we should include in your spotlight?
I am fulfilling my goal as an artist who creates ethical, sustainable art. It's never too late. Launching my ethical, wearable art at kathykyle.com has been a life-long goal. I used to work in the Aztec Shops Marketing Department, where I was allowed to sell my handmade cards at a 'popup’ on the steps of the bookstore. After 25 years as an award-winning comms and marketing director, attending Cambridge’s Institute for Sustainable Leadership, and working on climate advocacy for Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) and National Marine Sanctuary Foundation (NMSF), I am fulfilling my aspirations to follow my artistic goals and am launching an ethical, sustainable wearable art brand, Kathy Kyle Studio. It’s never too late to follow your aspiration. My children (identical twins +1) are so proud of their mama. I love sharing this journey with them and with you. All of my scarves are hand painted, sustainably printed and hand finished.