Emerging Tech Woman of the Year Spotlight: Kayte Malik

When TechRochester named Kayte Malik its 2026 Emerging Tech Woman of the Year, the recognition celebrated a leader whose career has been defined by innovation, adaptability, and a commitment to helping organizations navigate change.

As the Founding Managing Director of Arrow House Group and the creator of Connected Know, Malik operates at the intersection of artificial intelligence, digital transformation, operational excellence, and high-growth strategy. 

For Malik, however, success has never been solely about technology. It has been about building organizations, creating opportunities, and helping people realize their potential.

From East Rochester to the Front Lines of Innovation

Kayte grew up in East Rochester, her  journey into technology began long before AI became a household term.

After earning a degree in Business Information Systems from St. Bonaventure University, she built a career that took her to major technology and business hubs including Chicago, Charlotte, and New York City. Along the way, she worked across financial services, retail, technology, and sports industries, gaining a unique perspective on how organizations grow, scale, and transform.

Her passion for innovation continued while earning her MBA from the University of Notre Dame. During graduate school, she founded Dresscode Tech, a startup that combined fashion and technology to encourage young women to explore coding and STEM careers. The concept used wearable products linked to online coding lessons, making technology more accessible and engaging for young learners. The venture earned national attention and reinforced a theme that would define much of her career: creating pathways for others to see themselves in technology.

Driving Transformation at Scale

Before launching Arrow House Group, Malik built a reputation as a technology and operations leader across financial services, sports technology, and high-growth companies.

In 2020, she joined FanDuel as Director of Operations and Launch Readiness, helping lead the expansion of online sports betting across North America during one of the industry's most transformative growth periods.

In 2022, she left to launch a venture-backed sports technology company, raising just under $1 million in funding and further deepening her experience as both an entrepreneur and technology executive. Those experiences ultimately laid the foundation for Arrow House Group.

Building Arrow House Group

After years of leading transformation efforts from both the client and consulting sides of the table, Malik saw an opportunity to create a different kind of advisory firm.

"I wanted to be a type of firm that actually delivered on what they said they were going to deliver," she said.

Founded in 2025, Arrow House Group helps organizations navigate AI adoption, digital transformation, system integration, operational strategy, and growth planning. The firm works with organizations ranging from startups to enterprise companies, bringing executive-level expertise to complex business challenges.

Since its launch, the firm has worked with more than 15 organizations across a range of transformation initiatives, including technology modernization, AI implementation, operational optimization, and executive leadership support.

Helping Organizations Navigate the AI Revolution

As companies rush to understand the opportunities and risks surrounding artificial intelligence, Malik believes many organizations make the mistake of focusing on tools before strategy.

"I think organizations should understand their own tech risk and their tech expertise, come up with a roadmap, and then leverage talent up and down the organization to actually implement that roadmap."

Rather than viewing AI as simply a technology initiative, Malik sees it as both a business and people challenge.

"We're now entering a world where every college graduate has gone through school with AI," she said. "These graduates have skills that many leaders don't have yet. Organizations need to harness that and not be afraid of it."

For Malik, successful AI adoption isn't about chasing the latest technology trend. It's about helping organizations understand where AI can create real value, empowering people to use it effectively, and building a roadmap that supports long-term growth.

Building Community Through Connected Know

In addition to leading Arrow House Group, Malik is focused on strengthening Rochester's technology ecosystem. In late 2025, she launched Connected Know, a business intelligence platform focused on highlighting innovation, entrepreneurship, startups, and technology throughout the Rochester region.

"When I came back to Rochester, I was hearing many of the same things I had heard before I left," Malik said. "At some point I decided, 'Okay, we're just going to build it and see what happens.'"

Since launch, Connected Know has published more than 100 articles spotlighting founders, organizations, and opportunities across the region.

"I really want to bring together the startup, tech, and business community in Rochester," As the platform continues to grow, Malik hopes it will create stronger connections, greater visibility, and new opportunities for the people helping shape Rochester's future.

What the Award Means

Receiving TechRochester's Emerging Tech Woman of the Year Award holds special significance for Malik because of her deep roots in the local community and her long-standing desire to contribute to Rochester's technology sector.

"Growing up in a tech family and growing up here, I've always wanted to have an impact on the tech community in Rochester," she said.

For Malik, the recognition serves as both a personal milestone and professional validation during an important stage of growth for both Arrow House Group and Connected Know. While she views the award as an honor, she also sees it as motivation to continue building, contributing, and investing in the future of Rochester's technology ecosystem.

"I think there's still so much more that can be done," she said. "That's what makes this recognition meaningful. It reinforces the impact we're trying to create and the work that's still ahead."

Advice for Future Technology Leaders

When asked what advice she would offer young women considering careers in technology, AI, or entrepreneurship, Malik focused on one essential trait: lifelong learning.

"The jobs that will drive the future do not exist today," she said.

Technology continues to evolve at a pace few industries have experienced before. Because of that, she believes curiosity, creativity, and adaptability are just as important as technical expertise.

"You have to be willing to learn for the rest of your life," she said.

As a self-taught programmer who has worked across multiple industries and technologies throughout her career, Malik understands firsthand that success often belongs to those willing to embrace change rather than resist it.

Looking Ahead

Long before launching companies or leading transformation initiatives, Malik had a vision for her future in Rochester. Today, that vision extends beyond building successful businesses. She hopes to help create opportunities for future founders, mentor emerging leaders, and contribute to a stronger regional technology ecosystem.

Most of all, she hopes to build something lasting.

"I want to build an awesome tech company in Rochester that creates jobs," she said. "And that is a legacy organization that people are proud to be a part of, or proud to say is from Rochester."

Through Arrow House Group, Connected Know, and her ongoing commitment to innovation and mentorship, she is steadily turning that vision into reality.