Catherine Hackney
Online Community Consultant Specialized in Association Member Communities
Catherine Hackney, a professional with over 12 years of experience working with associations, shares her journey into the association space and her role as a consultant specializing in online communities. Based near Denver, Colorado, she discusses how she discovered her passion for nonprofit work, the value of online communities for member engagement, and the importance of mentorship and risk-taking in her career. Catherine is also an active member of AWTC (Association Women Technology Champions), where she values the supportive network and opportunities to elevate women in association technology.
Cecilia Supp [Host]:
Hello and welcome to this edition of AWTC Presents Her Story, a series where we feature our AWTC members. I'm your host, Cecilia Supp, and yes, I am also an AWTC member.
In this edition, we are pleased to welcome Catherine Hackney, who will share a little about herself and her background.
Catherine, welcome to Her Story. Would you like to tell us a little about yourself?
Catherine Hackney [Guest]:
Thanks for having me. I’m Catherine Hackney, and I live near Denver, Colorado. I’ve been working with professional associations for over 12 years now. I only discovered AWTC about three or four years ago, but I’m really glad that I did.
Cecilia Supp [Host]:
That’s great. So you mentioned that you work with associations—how did you get started?
Catherine Hackney [Guest]:
When I got out of college, I first went to work at a large for-profit corporation. Very quickly, I realized it wasn’t a good fit for my personality. So I started job searching with a focus on nonprofit work and landed a role at an association in Colorado fairly quickly.
I realized right away that it aligned much better with the kind of work I cared about. That was 12 years ago at the Medical Group Managers Association, and I’ve been working with associations ever since. I’m very grateful they gave me my start in the space, as well as my first exposure to online communities for professional associations.
Cecilia Supp [Host]:
Did you know what associations were before that first job?
Catherine Hackney [Guest]:
I had heard of larger organizations like the American Medical Association, but I didn’t realize just how many associations exist. There really is one for nearly every profession and credential. I’ve learned a lot since then and didn’t initially understand the breadth and depth of the field.
Cecilia Supp [Host]:
Can you share a moment when you felt especially good about your work?
Catherine Hackney [Guest]:
I do consulting work with professional and trade associations focused on their membership online communities. The most rewarding part is seeing members share the value they’re getting from those communities.
Online communities are accessible year-round, unlike annual conferences, and allow members from anywhere to connect, learn, and even find mentorship opportunities. When someone says they got helpful advice that made their job easier, that’s exactly why I do what I do. Those moments are incredibly fulfilling.
Cecilia Supp [Host]:
What advice helped you on your journey as a woman in tech?
Catherine Hackney [Guest]:
Some of the best advice I received came from my father—he encouraged me to take risks. Even when something feels risky, it often isn’t as big as it seems. If you have a plan and a backup plan, it’s worth trying something new.
I’ve also benefited from supportive managers and mentors who helped me believe in my abilities. Sometimes I was my own biggest obstacle, so having people who encouraged me to push forward made a big difference.
Cecilia Supp [Host]:
Where do you see technology leading associations in the future?
Catherine Hackney [Guest]:
Technology, including online community platforms, is just one part of an association’s tech stack, but it plays a key role in making staff more effective.
I hope technology continues to help associations move away from outdated or less effective activities and toward more data-driven strategies that align with member needs. Integrating different platforms and using data holistically will allow associations to deliver more meaningful value—and ultimately improve member retention.
Cecilia Supp [Host]:
What do you like best about AWTC?
Catherine Hackney [Guest]:
The networking is fantastic. It’s a supportive group of people, and I appreciate that it includes allies as well. An ally actually introduced me to AWTC.
Even though women make up the majority of association staff, there’s still a perception that technology roles are male-dominated. AWTC is helping to change that narrative, which I really value.
Cecilia Supp [Host]:
Why should someone join AWTC and get involved?
Catherine Hackney [Guest]:
Joining AWTC helps raise awareness of women working in association technology and provides opportunities to support and uplift one another professionally.
It functions much like the online communities I work with—bringing value to its members through shared knowledge and support. The more people who join, the stronger that network becomes. I definitely encourage others to get involved and be part of it.
Cecilia Supp [Host]:
Thank you, Catherine. That’s a great closing thought and a wonderful interview. Thanks for joining me on this edition of Her Story.
That concludes this episode. You can find more episodes on the AWTC website at awtc.tech or on our YouTube channel by searching for AWTC videos.
If you’d like to learn more about AWTC, visit our website and explore upcoming events—most are online and free to attend. Membership is also free; we simply welcome your ideas, energy, and participation.
We stay connected through our Slack community and offer a vibrant awards program as well. For more information, visit the website and reach out through the contact form.
Thanks again for joining us, and we’ll see you next time.