Kathy E. Hollinger serves as the CEO of the Greater Washington Partnership (GWP), a first-of-its-kind alliance uniting leading employers across Maryland, Virginia and Washington, DC to collaborate in building a vibrant, economically competitive, and prosperous place to live, work and build a business. Prioritizing the economic growth of the region, Kathy directs GWP in its mission to catalyze collaboration, convenings, thought leadership, and collective action. She connects stakeholders across public, private, and nonprofit sectors to address shared opportunities and challenges in some of the region’s most pressing issues, including skills and talent, regional mobility, infrastructure, and inclusive economic growth. Through strategic alliances, focused investments, and pioneering initiatives, she relentlessly works to find practical, impactful, and visionary solutions to the region’s challenges.
Prior to GWP, Kathy led the Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington (RAMW) and its Educated Eats Foundation as President and CEO. Her tenure marked a period of dramatic growth for the region’s food service industry, culminating in national recognition including Bon Appetit’s 2016 Restaurant City of the Year, ZAGAT’s Hottest Food City of 2016, and the prestigious arrival of the Michelin Guide to Washington, DC in 2016.
Kathy’s leadership during the global pandemic garnered widespread acclaim. She was named to the region’s Power List (2021-2024), honored as Washington Business Journal’s COVID-19 Response CEO Leader of the Year, and recognized as the 2021 Washington Woman of Excellence by Mayor Muriel Bowser and Person of the Year by Downtown DC’s Business Improvement District.
Her career spans public service and private sector leadership. Kathy served on the DC City Council, working with Councilmembers Charlene Drew Jarvis and Kevin P. Chavous. She was later appointed Film Commissioner by Mayor Adrian Fenty. Kathy also led external affairs for Comcast in Washington, DC. She holds degrees from American University and George Mason University, where she received the 2021 Distinguished Alumni Award.
Kathy is an active member of The Economic Club of Washington, DC, and the incoming Chair of Leadership Greater Washington. She contributes her expertise to the Washington Business Journal’s Leadership Trust and the American City Business Journals’ Bizwomen Leadership Council.
Kathy resides in Washington, DC with her husband Anthony, son Bijan, and their dog Kalli.