In a significant development, Churchill Downs Incorporated (CDI) and Catena Media have announced the appointments of their new vice presidents. Sam Ullrich is set to join CDI as vice president of investor relations, while Jasleen Kals has been named vice president of product at Catena Media.
Sam Ullrich’s induction into the CDI team marks a pivotal addition to the organization, especially considering his extensive background in management at Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC), where he dedicated nine years of his career. Ullrich’s tenure at KFC saw him ascend through various senior roles, including director of financial planning and restaurant economics, which honed his expertise in financial oversight and strategic planning within a fast-paced corporate environment. His stint as interim chief financial officer allowed him to steer financial operations, providing him with a holistic view of financial governance.
Prior to his time at KFC, Ullrich built his foundational skills at Yum! Brands, the parent company of KFC, where he served as a senior analyst of external reporting. This role further solidified his capabilities in financial reporting and analytics, crucial for effective investor relations. Moreover, Ullrich has experience as an assurance senior associate at PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), a role that underlined his proficiency in assurance and advisory services, ensuring transparency and trust in financial communications.
In his new capacity at CDI, Ullrich is expected to contribute significantly toward enhancing shareholder value and maintaining robust communication with the investor community. Reporting directly to Marcia Dall, the executive vice president and chief financial officer, Ullrich’s responsibilities will be pivotal in sustaining CDI’s financial health and strategic growth goals.
Meanwhile, Catena Media’s appointment of Jasleen Kals as vice president of product underscores the company’s strategic pivot towards a product-centric operating model. Kals brings a wealth of experience from her previous role at TMZ, where she served for over a year as executive director of digital product development and strategy. Her leadership at TMZ involved enhancing the digital product landscape, aligning product strategies with organizational objectives, and driving digital innovation.
Before her impactful stint at TMZ, Kals held key roles at CafeMedia as director of product management and at MarketMuse as head of product.
. These positions enabled her to cultivate product development processes and strategies, optimizing the user experience and driving product performance. Her career also includes substantial tenures as a senior product manager at Searchmetrics and a product manager for websites at QuinStreet, where she focused on product optimization and market positioning.
Catena Media’s interim CEO, Pierre Cadena, has expressed strong confidence in Kals’ ability to steer the company’s product strategy. Cadena emphasized that Kals’ expertise in product creation and development is vital as Catena Media adopts a new product-focused operating model aimed at enhancing organizational performance. “Her knowledge, leadership, and drive will be central as we embed our new product-focused operating model across the organisation,” Cadena stated.
This strategic shift towards a product-first approach at Catena Media is designed to prioritize the development of high-performing products and elevate user experiences. The objective is to achieve sustainable, long-term growth by fully leveraging Catena Media’s portfolio of assets and brands. Kals’ appointment is seen as a crucial step in driving this evolution and realizing the full potential of the company’s diverse offerings.
It’s also noteworthy that Pierre Cadena is temporarily at the helm of Catena Media following the resignation of the former CEO, Michael Daly, in February. Cadena’s interim leadership will be instrumental in ensuring a smooth transition and continued progress in the organization’s strategic objectives.
Both Sam Ullrich and Jasleen Kals are poised to bring their exceptional expertise to their respective new roles, offering fresh perspectives and strategic insights. Their appointments represent strategic advancements for both Churchill Downs and Catena Media, fortifying their executive teams and positioning them strongly for future growth and success.
As CDI and Catena Media navigate these changes, the focus remains on leveraging the competencies of their new VPs to drive forward with their strategic initiatives, ensuring robust performance and growth in their competitive landscapes.
