Megan Kvamme

Megan Kvamme is a serial glass-ceiling-smasher who went from becoming the first female investment banking partner in over a century to co-owning and running one of North America’s most formidable Porsche racing operations—because apparently conquering Wall Street, Silicon Valley, and the whiskey industry in one lifetime wasn’t quite enough.

EARLY YEARS

Details about Kvamme’s early years and birthdate are not publicly available in the research provided.

OTHER INTERESTS

Before she ever thought about racing Porsches, Kvamme built an empire across multiple industries that would make most people’s resumes look like rough drafts. She became the first woman investment banking partner in over 100 years at Seasongood & Mayer, one of the country’s largest privately-held firms[1]. In 2010, she was named Investment Banker of the Year while serving as Vice President of George K. Baum & Company[2]. Not content to stop there, she pivoted to tech and founded FactGem, a Columbus-based data visualization startup that raised $1 million from a single investor in 2017[3]. Her husband Mark Kvamme co-founded the company and serves on its board. She’s also made her mark in the spirits world, serving as Chairwoman of Popcorn Sutton Distilling—earning herself the Twitter handle @distillingdiva—and currently chairs Avery’s Trail Distilling Company[4]. The woman clearly doesn’t believe in picking a lane.

EARLY SUCCESS

Kvamme’s motorsports journey began not on four wheels, but two. Before competing in sports car racing, she ran a successful KTM Supercross factory team for five seasons in the two-wheel racing world[5]. That experience gave her the operational chops and industry connections that would prove invaluable when she and her husband Mark decided to launch MDK Motorsports. The Ohio-based team debuted in 2022 and wasted exactly zero time making a name for itself[6]. In only its second year of operation, MDK Motorsports established itself as a powerhouse in Porsche racing in North America, fielding competitive entries in both the Porsche Carrera Cup North America and Porsche Sprint Challenge series[7]. The team runs with approximately 10 full-time staff and about 30 part-timers, plus six racers on the roster[8].

NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS

• 2010: Named Investment Banker of the Year while serving as Vice President of George K. Baum & Company[2].
• 2017: Founded FactGem, a data visualization startup, and raised $1 million in funding[3].
• 2022: Co-founded MDK Motorsports with husband Mark Kvamme, launching competitive teams in Porsche Carrera Cup North America and Porsche Sprint Challenge[6].
• 2024: Established partnership between MDK Motorsports and Barcelona-based High Class organization, expanding the team’s international reach[9].
• 2024: Partnered with Yokohama Tire to launch “Yokohama All-In,” a diversity racing program designed to promote inclusiveness and support female and diverse drivers[10].
• Undated: Became the first female investment banking partner in over 100 years at Seasongood & Mayer[1].
• Undated: Served as Chairwoman of Popcorn Sutton Distilling and currently chairs Avery’s Trail Distilling Company[4].

INSPIRATIONS

No specific information about Kvamme’s personal inspirations is available in the research provided.

REPUTATION

Kvamme has built a reputation as a trailblazer who doesn’t just break into male-dominated industries—she rewrites the playbook once she’s inside. As co-owner and CEO of MDK Motorsports alongside her husband Mark, she’s blazing trails in the traditionally male-dominated racing industry while also actively working to change it[11]. The team isn’t just about winning races; Mark and Megan are passionate about catalyzing change within the motorsports landscape through various initiatives[12]. The team supports research to better understand and combat brain health issues in motorsports, partnering with the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health[13]. MDK Motorsports has also launched a commitment to support research of the long-term effects of repetitive head impacts in athletes[14]. She’s recognized as a leader who has provided guidance to a variety of industries throughout her career and is the founder of several women-owned businesses[15]. In racing circles, she’s known for running a tight, professional operation that prioritizes driver development—the team brought on Danish racing ace Jan Magnussen to oversee driver development programs[16]. She even organized a “Lady’s Combine” driver development test, creating opportunities specifically for female racers[17].

FUTURE GOALS/PLANS

MDK Motorsports has revealed its new racing partnership with Competition Motors for the 2025 Ford Mustang Challenge season, expanding the team’s portfolio beyond Porsche racing[18]. This signals the team’s ambitions to grow its presence across multiple racing series and continue building its reputation as a multi-faceted motorsports organization.

REFERENCES

[1] AiThority Interview Series With Megan Kvamme, CEO at FactGem
[2] AiThority Interview Series With Megan Kvamme, CEO at FactGem
[3] Data visualization startup founded by Megan Kvamme raises $1M
[4] She’s Taking On One Male-Dominated Industry At A Time
[5] MDK Motorsports Announces 2022 Drivers
[6] MDK Motorsports Announces 2022 Drivers
[7] MDK Motorsports aiming for more success in 2024
[8] Mark Kvamme has new ideas to invest in Ohio’s future
[9] MDK, High Class Join Forces in New Partnership
[10] Yokohama Tire Announces New Diversity Racing Program
[11] About Us – MDK Moto
[12] About Us – MDK Moto
[13] About Us – MDK Moto
[14] MDK Motorsports Announces Its Support of the Professional Athletes Brain Health Study
[15] Panelist: Megan Kvamme | Fierce Network
[16] Magnussen to oversee driver development at MDK
[17] About Us – MDK Moto
[18] MDK Motorsports Partners with Competition Motors for 2025 Ford Mustang Challenge Season