Catherine Kannam

About Catherine Kannam

I close the gap between strategy and execution—reducing operational drag, strengthening governance, and delivering measurable gains like 20% reduction in OH, 90% reduction in cyber vulnerabilities, and enterprise‑wide digital improvements that elevate performance and culture. My work helps organizations scale with clarity and integrity while advancing women’s rights, equity, and inclusive decision‑making. I’ve led global operations and enterprise transformation in environments where the stakes are high and the systems are complex. Whether navigating conflict‑affected regions or guiding mission‑driven organizations through rapid growth, I focus on building structures where strategy, people, and purpose reinforce each other.As the first COO at Chemonics International, I oversaw a $1B portfolio in 80+ countries and led cross‑functional initiatives that improved performance, strengthened governance, and built a culture rooted in transparency, accountability, and belonging. As the leader of the strategic plan’s culture pillar, I helped drive the organizational shifts that contributed to Chemonics being recognized as a Washington Post and USA Today Best Place to Work—a reflection of how operational excellence and inclusive leadership fuel one another.My grounding in women’s rights, civil and human rights, and inclusive governance shapes how I design systems. I’ve seen repeatedly that when women’s leadership and inclusive decision‑making are embedded—not treated as side initiatives—organizations become more effective, more innovative, and more sustainable. I thrive at the intersection of strategy and impact: aligning operations with mission, mobilizing teams through complexity, and mentoring emerging leaders to build resilient, values‑driven organizations capable of delivering results that matter.

Experience

1. Subject Matter Expert

   W20 Usa

   Feb 2026 — Present

   Working with the W20 engagement group and advising on women\'s empowerment issues to inform the upcoming G20.

Education

• School for International Training

  Durban, South Africa

  2001 — 2001

• Wesleyan University

  B.A., College of Social Studies

  1999 — 2003