Cathy Hotka knows most of the retail CIOs in North America, and creates opportunities for retail IT leaders to network with one another. She creates networking events, summits, and parties for retailers, and helps technology companies create go-to-market strategies for retail. Clients have included the largest technology companies, retail media and event companies, and associations.

She has focused on senior executives throughout her career. After working on Capitol Hill and in the White House, she staffed the American Petroleum Institute's IT Committee and its telecommunications subcommittees. She created the National Retail Federation’s CIO Council, and after formed her own firm. She has personal relationships with many of the retail CIOs in North America, and manages the retail IT Network, which brings together IT leaders from around the world. She has been honored by Computerworld, CIO, Executive Technology, and Infosys Technologies. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Language and Literature from the Catholic University of America.