Her Story
About Catherine
Catherine Hackney is an independent consultant and founder of Confident Communities Consulting, LLC, specializing in online community strategy for professional and trade associations. With more than a decade of experience in community management and consulting, Catherine helps associations transform underperforming digital communities into valuable spaces for year-round member engagement, stronger retention, and non-dues revenue. Her expertise includes strategic planning, platform selection, community audits, member engagement, training, and program development.
Catherine’s career in online communities began through her work in membership at a professional association, where she took responsibility for an existing online community and developed her expertise through research, experimentation, and hands-on management. She later built her consulting practice, providing organizations with practical strategies for launching and improving online communities, developing content calendars, establishing goals, managing volunteers, and addressing technical and engagement challenges. Her experience also includes managing community platforms, onboarding members, facilitating webinars, supporting special interest groups, and tracking engagement metrics.
Driven by her belief in the power of meaningful connection, Catherine emphasizes that successful communities are built around trust, relationships, consistent participation, and genuine member value. She encourages professionals, particularly young women, to find communities where they can learn from mentors and peers while eventually contributing their own knowledge and perspectives. Catherine’s own commitment to community extends beyond her consulting work through her involvement with professional community organizations and her ongoing research into trends and best practices in association communities.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Catherine
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my passion for being self-employed and the pride I take in building something through my own efforts. Being a solopreneur gives me a strong sense of accomplishment and motivates me to keep going. I’m persistent and determined, and I don’t give up when challenges arise.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I encourage young women to find a community of people who understand their journey, whether through coworkers, mentors, or online groups. I learned so much through these connections, and over time, sharing my own perspectives and helping others strengthened my confidence, personal brand, and professional reputation.
03What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenge in my field is the growing competition, especially since COVID-19 brought many new competitors into the industry. However, I remain persistent and committed to my work, refusing to give up despite the challenges.
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