Katie Szollosi Receives Influential Woman in Business 2026 Award for Excellence in Marketing Strategy

Katie Szollosi has been recognised with the Influential Woman in Business 2026 award for Marketing Strategy, celebrating a career built on strategic thinking, authentic leadership, and a genuine passion for helping businesses and people grow.

Originally from Hungary, Katie’s journey has been shaped by the example set by exceptional leaders throughout her life, including her father, university professors, and former managers. Watching the impact they had on those around them inspired her own ambition to become the kind of leader who empowers others to succeed.

“I aspire to be that difference maker in my mentees’ eyes, that good manager to my team, that mental-load-reducing solution for my clients.”

 

After relocating to Norfolk, Katie embraced the challenges of building a career in a new country and market. The experience strengthened both her resilience and ambition, while the vibrant marketing community around Norwich helped shape the strategist and mentor she is today.

Today, Katie is recognised for combining strategic marketing with operational excellence, believing that success comes from designing systems that evolve rather than simply following them. She values continuous improvement, meaningful relationships, and building sustainable growth one step at a time. Alongside strategy, mentoring has become one of the most rewarding aspects of her career, with helping others discover their own confidence remaining one of her greatest motivations.

Her resilience has also been forged through significant personal challenges. Difficult experiences and a period of high-functioning depression became turning points that reinforced her determination rather than diminished it. Work became both a source of purpose and a reminder that meaningful progress is often built through perseverance rather than perfection.

Katie encourages aspiring women in business to learn from others while trusting their own judgement, staying curious, and never believing the learning journey is complete. That same mindset continues to drive both her career and the people she mentors.

Among her proudest professional achievements is leading Quickfire’s The State of Ecommerce campaign, overseeing the project from planning through to delivery and reporting. Yet one of the moments she treasures most came when a junior colleague publicly credited Katie’s guidance for helping secure a promotion within the first year of employment, recognising the confidence, strategic thinking, and productive habits developed under her leadership.

Looking ahead, Katie is continuing work on the 2026 edition of The State of Ecommerce while preparing to welcome a new client later this year. She remains passionate about mentoring individuals and small teams, helping ambitious people turn ideas into lasting success.

Reflecting on receiving the award, Katie described the recognition as both humbling and motivating.

“Receiving this recognition felt like the pat on the back I usually give to others… the encouragement to keep going because you’re doing well.”

Katie credits much of her leadership style to the influence of her father, whose calm, people-first approach laid the foundations for her own values, alongside the leadership team at Quickfire and trusted collaborators at Luminous PR, whose support and professionalism continue to inspire her career.

For businesses seeking strategic marketing support, communications consultancy, mentoring, or operational guidance, Katie Szollosi continues to help organisations build stronger brands, streamline processes, and achieve sustainable growth through practical, hands-on expertise.

Contact

Email: katie@plantketing.com

Website: https://plantketing.com