Leading a company with thousands of employees across the globe requires more than a clear vision, swift decisions and a steady hand. It takes courage, curiosity, and never losing sight of the people behind the success. On an extraordinary journey from Ukraine to Texas, Katherine Tuluzova has built her leadership on heart, determination, and a strong belief in the power of everyone.
Born in Kharkiv, Ukraine, Katherine now lives in Dallas, Texas, with her husband, their two daughters aged five and four, and her mother, who moved in with them following the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. She has built a life across continents – and a leadership style that fuses her European roots with American pace and energy.
In June this year, Katherine stepped into the role of CEO at Sigma Software globally after nearly 20 years with the group. What began as a job as a junior developer in 2008 has become one of the company’s most remarkable leadership journeys – marked by curiosity, resilience and a strong personal connection to the business.
“I’ve grown up alongside Sigma and held so many different roles – team lead, project manager, head of mobile, CEO of North America, and then CEO for both North and South America. Every step has taught me something new about us and what really matters,” says Katherine.
That personal commitment becomes clear the moment you speak to her. She’s direct and quick-thinking, but also open, attentive and grounded. She laughs easily and often – but doesn’t shy away from difficult or uncomfortable questions. If you had to name her leadership style, it might well be “precision with warmth”.
“I make decisions quickly. That doesn’t mean I don’t listen – I do – but I believe in moving forward. My job is to remove obstacles, not create more layers,” she explains.
Her clarity and decisiveness have earned her great respect – but have sometimes led to misunderstandings.
“I know I can sometimes come across as a bit tough” she admits. “But it’s because I care. I care about our clients, our teams, our reputation and our quality standards. I don’t believe in fake harmony. I believe in honesty, kindness and getting things done.”
Sigma Software has seen rapid growth in recent years and established itself in new markets such as Brazil, Romania and Canada. Under Katherine’s leadership, the company is now accelerating its international expansion while deepening its expertise in key areas such as AdTech, the automotive sector and financial services. But for Katherine, culture is just as important as business strategy.
“I want Sigma to always feel like a family, even as we grow. I’ve been here for 17 years. I know how much it means when leaders care, when they see you and truly listen. That’s something I’ll never let go of,” she says of the company’s unique spirit.
She’s also a strong advocate for internal entrepreneurship – giving employees space to grow, take initiative and drive their own ideas within the organisation.
“I want people to feel like this is their company too. When people feel ownership, that’s when we do our best work for our clients. That’s when innovation, collaboration and results come naturally,” says Katherine.
I don’t believe in fake harmony. I believe in honesty, kindness and getting things done.
– Katherine Tuluzova
Outside of work, she leads an active life. She recently completed her third Ironman 70.3 triathlon, a true test of both discipline and mental strength. But it’s the training for races that fuels her the most. The races themselves are just a necessary evil to give the training a purpose. She also has a great love of languages; she speaks Italian and is currently learning Portuguese.
Still, even in her free time, her thoughts often circle back to the company.
“I’m not particularly good at celebrating milestones,” she confesses. “As soon as we hit a target, I start thinking about the next one. It’s something I’m working on – being more present and truly appreciating how far we’ve come.”
Looking ahead, Katherine is focused on three main priorities: deepening Sigma Software’s industry expertise, accelerating global expansion, and staying ahead in emerging, fast-moving technologies – particularly AI.
“The tech landscape is changing incredibly fast. Our job is to help our clients adapt – and to do so without losing who we are,” she says.
It’s clear that leadership, for Katherine, isn’t about titles or control. It’s about trust, responsibility and building the future together with her colleagues and the Sigma Software family.
“I want Sigma to be known not just for what we do, but for how we do it. With integrity, care, and that slightly rebellious, stubborn drive that’s always been part of our DNA,” she says.
In a world that never slows down, Katherine Tuluzova moves fast – with determination, energy, both hands on the wheel and her focus firmly on the people who make it all possible.
See more of Katherine above.
Listen to Katherine in the Danir podcast
You can also listen to the interview with Katherine – along with much more – in our podcast Danirpodden. Find the podcast on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.
