Thought Leader

Carol Kruse

Independent Director of Board, Valvoline Inc., Member of Advisor Board, The CMO Club and Investor, Oregon Venture Fund

Carol Kruse served as Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer of Cambia Health Solutions from 2014 to 2019. Previously, Kruse was Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer at ESPN from 2010 until 2013. Prior to that, she spent nearly 10 years at The Coca-Cola Company, serving as Vice President of global digital marketing from 2007 until 2010, and Vice President of North America interactive marketing from 2001 until 2007. In August 2001 Coca-Cola purchased the start-up company Kruse co-founded, named RocketCash which was founded January 1999. Kruse was also an early employee and member of the leadership team at two other Silicon Valley start-ups, one of which went public.

In addition, Kruse is currently on the leadership boards of Go Red for Women, American Heart Association of Oregon, and the Pioneer Square Board in Portland.

She holds a Bachelor of Arts qualification in international relations from Pomona College and a Master of Business Administration qualification from the University of Southern California. Kruse was #27 on Fast Company’s List of the 100 Most Creative People in Business in 2012, she has received an Emmy Award, two Cannes Lions, the AdTech Industry Achievement Award, and Media All Star.