Employee Spotlight: Kai Thao

Employee Spotlight

December 2022

Meet Kai Thao, Account Manager on the Business Development Team!

Audicus strives to provide top-tier hearing aids and services to our customers. Let’s see who’s working behind the scenes to make that happen.

Today we’re highlighting: Kai Thao!

“If you are looking for a change and want to feel like you’re part of a team where your voice is heard, come to Audicus. We not only treat employees with respect, but are able to enrich the lives of others through teamwork.”

What initially drew you to Audicus?

Prior to joining the Audicus team, Kai was a rail specialist/senior supplier with a well-established company. She knew it was time for herself to make a change, and wanted to explore other opportunities.  A good friend of hers referred her to Drew Wingert, Audicus’s Director of Business Development, and she and Drew were able to get the conversation started regarding the Account Manager role. Kai was instantly drawn to Audicus and working in a startup environment, especially as “there’s room for change, and any ideas you have will be heard.” Something Kai truly appreciates about Audicus is that “you can make a difference here.”  

What is your role at Audicus and when did you join the team? 

Kai joined the Audicus team as an Account Manager on the B2B Side in January of 2022. In her role, she is the liaison between business partners and our team of wonderful audiologists. A big part of Kai’s duties is ensuring we’re maintaining relationships and providing our businesses with the resources they need to help their members live life to the fullest.  

What’s one of your favorite memories at Audicus?

The B2B team, and Audicus as a whole, is very close-knit and warm. Kai enjoys the B2B monthly meetings, as the team has started asking ice-breaker questions to kick-off the meetings before they segway into discussing any updates. In the most recent meeting, the ice-breaker question was which cartoon character would you consider yourself to be! Kai chose Spongebob, as this is a  very warm, happy character with a can-do attitude.  

How would you best describe the culture at Audicus?

Audicus is a “close-knit team of individuals despite there being separate divisions.” The Audicus team has welcoming and active slack channels, where folks can connect while being in-person and remote. The team is “familiar and comfortable with one another,” and we are able to easily build rapport with each other.   

Why do you think candidates should join the Audicus team?

One of the perks of joining a start-up environment is being able to make an impact, and see that impact be carried through. Kai believes “if you are looking for a change and want to feel like you’re part of a team where your voice is heard, come to Audicus. We not only treat employees with respect, but are able to enrich the lives of others through teamwork.”  

Outside of work, what are your favorite things to do?

Kai is based in Wisconsin, and loves the great outdoors! Outside of work, Kai enjoys movement, especially hiking and traveling to as many places she can. One of her favorite places to hike and explore is the Rocky Mountains.  Kai also enjoys exploring new coffee shops and trying yummy things on the menu, and loves sightseeing. In her free time, Kai is an avid reader, and mentioned a recent book she read was “Before the Coffee Gets Hold” by Toshikazu Kawaguchi, a novel about a cafe in Tokyo that allows its customers to travel back in time, as long as they return before their coffee gets cold.