Katalyst Group Catie Burke
As Katalyst Group continues to grow and invest in our current and future clients, we are pleased to announce our latest hire Catie Burke in her new role as Manager of Business Development. Catie makes it a priority to get to know her clients’ needs and goals while also partnering together to develop value-driven solutions.
 
In an interview, Catie (CB) shares with Katalyst Group (KG) her passions and enthusiasm for developing business relationships.
KG: What role do you play in your current position?
CB: I am a Business Development Manager for Katalyst Group. I work with the founder Kevin to identify new business opportunities and spread the word about the great services that Katalyst Group offers.
 
KG: What excites you in the work you do?
CB: The opportunity to solve problems and help others make their way into their dream positions. A lot of people have been laid off this year and along with that there are also new positions opening up every day. Many businesses also just really need help finding the right person for a position and I’m excited to get a jump on this opportunity.
 
KG: What led you to this job?
CB: I was working as an Account Executive for a travel management company. Due to Covid-19, I decided to take some time off just to reevaluate where I wanted to go with my career. A close friend of mine/neighbor actually recommended me for this position with Kevin at Katalyst Group.
 
KG: What attracted you to work for Katalyst Group?
CB: The Katalyst Group team is great to work with, and I really identify with the company values. They will go the extra ‘yard’ to make sure that they’re presenting companies with a vetted list of quality candidates to ensure that the position is filled by the organizations’ expectations.
 
KG: Where did you grow up and where did you go to college?
CB: I grew up in the northwest suburbs of Chicago. After High School I attended Purdue University in West Lafayette, IN and studied Hospitality and Tourism Management. It was fantastic and I wish I could go back and do it 5 times over. Every few years my boyfriend and I go back for breakfast club (if you know, you know). During my sophomore year of college my parents were relocated to St. Paul, MN. So when I graduated I moved up to MN for a few months and worked up there until relocating back to Chicago for my first real job after college.
 
KG: Did you have any key mentors or people who deeply influenced who you are, what you believe in and what you’re committed to in your work and life?
CB: My mother has definitely influenced me a lot in my work and life. Ironically enough she is a CPA, along with half of my family. I ended up being the black sheep that went into sales and I couldn’t be happier with that decision. My mom has always been there to support me in my decisions and offer an outside perspective whenever I need it.
 
KG: Did you have any life-changing experiences that put you on the path that led you to be doing what you’re doing today?
CB: I can now say that I’ve lived through a pandemic and that has directly impacted me in where I am today. I am very happy with this career move though.
KG: What is the most memorable event in your life?
CB: I have a 2-year-old corgi and I can say the day I picked up his potato-sized self from the breeder will always be the most memorable.
 
KG: What show(s) are you currently watching or what book(s) are you currently reading?
CB: I’m kind of a nerd when it comes to tv shows, so if it’s any kind of historical drama I’ve probably binged watched it in one day. Some of my favorites are The Crown, Victoria, The Queen’s Gambit, The Marvelous Ms. Maisel, The English Game. I promise I do like non-nerdy things too like South Park, Succession, and It’s always Sunny in Philadelphia.
KG: What is something that you have done that surprised you or those that know you well?
CB: I went into quarantine back in March of 2020 with the idea of learning a new language, here we are in October and I’m almost in B level (intermediate) German! I took about 9 years of Spanish in school but to this day I wouldn’t say I’m anywhere near fluent. It surprised me that I could really get a handle on a new language.
 
KG: What’s a little-known fact about yourself?
CB: Maybe not the littlest known fact but I love baking. More specifically bread but I make a mean sourdough.
KG: What’s your favorite vacation spot or place you dream of retiring to?
CB: My favorite place in the entire world is Iceland. To me it’s probably the closest you can get to another planet geography-wise. We’ve been a few times, but my boyfriend and I have a grand plan of renting a camper van and just driving around the entire country for a few weeks. Aside from that I’d love to live/retire in Germany, I went 2 years ago and just fell in love with the country.
 
Connect with Catie on LinkedIn.