Her Story
About Catherine
Catherine Beck is a servant leader and accomplished entrepreneur who is passionate about helping others grow and succeed. She is the founder and CEO of Rival Shark, an AI and technology company launched in August 2026 that provides businesses with competitive, market, and industry intelligence to support smarter decision-making. With more than 25 years of experience spanning customer experience, technology, digital transformation, strategy, data and analytics, Catherine brings an enterprise perspective and a strong commitment to turning insight into measurable business value.
Catherine’s entrepreneurial journey began while she was in college, when she founded her first company and famously turned client work into homework. Rival Shark represents her fourth venture, reflecting her lifelong passion for learning, innovation, and building businesses that create meaningful impact. She is particularly proud when she sees her clients’ businesses thrive and finds fulfillment in helping other people grow their organizations. Her leadership philosophy centers on being a servant leader, continuously learning from every experience, and creating opportunities for others to succeed.
Beyond her professional achievements, Catherine is an avid theatre enthusiast who has seen more than 300 shows and was an investor in the Back to the Future musical and tour. She enjoys traveling, attending concerts, and spending time with friends and family. Catherine and her husband also support philanthropic initiatives, including Broadway Cares and their nonprofit, Theatrical Investment Company. Reflecting her commitment to giving back, Rival Shark dedicates 1% of its profits to ocean-cleaning efforts. Through entrepreneurship, mentorship, philanthropy, and lifelong learning, Catherine continues to build businesses while helping others grow along the way.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Catherine
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my ability to adapt, stay authentic, and never give up. I am also grateful to have a strong support system, especially my husband, who is my biggest cheerleader and partner in both work and life. My parents’ strong work ethic also shaped me and gave me a lasting foundation for success.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve received is that chaos creates opportunity, while clarity is an act of kindness. I’ve learned to embrace challenges, look for opportunities within uncertainty, and communicate clearly with others.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women is to value their time, embrace risks, and trust in their strength and abilities. If there is something you want to pursue, don’t wait—take the chance and learn from setbacks. Show up as your authentic self, be unapologetic about who you are, and keep moving forward.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenge is that competitive intelligence has traditionally been accessible mainly to large corporations with substantial budgets. I see a tremendous opportunity in making enterprise-level competitive intelligence affordable and accessible to small and mid-sized businesses. With the growth of entrepreneurship and advancements in AI, we can deliver real-time insights without requiring businesses to hire dedicated analysts.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
I value family, authenticity, honesty, and truthfulness in both my work and personal life. I believe in staying true to myself, communicating honestly, and building meaningful relationships grounded in trust and integrity.
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