Learn and Grow: Interview with Lorraine Hariton, President and CEO of Catalyst

I recently went one on one with Lorraine Hariton. Lorraine is the President and CEO of Catalyst, a New York City–based nonprofit organization committed to advancing women in the workplace. Lorraine was previously appointed by President Barack Obama to be Special Representative for Commercial and Business Affairs at the US Department of State. Hariton has committed to advancing women’s leadership throughout her career. Lorraine also served as Senior Vice President of Global Partnerships at The New York Academy of Sciences, where she helped create the Global STEM Alliance and its 1000 Girls, 1000 Futures program to encourage girls to pursue careers in STEM.

Adam: Thanks again for taking the time to share your advice. First things first, though, I am sure readers would love to learn more about you. How did you get here? What experiences, failures, setbacks, or challenges have been most instrumental to your growth? 

Lorraine: I entered the workplace in the technology industry in the mid-1970s after getting a degree in computer science from Stanford University. But I have dyslexia, so I had reading as a challenge. Math and my analytical skills are a strength. During my freshman year in college, my calculus professor recognized my strengths and suggested I go into computer science, and I was excited to focus in an area where I excelled. 

From there, I started my career at IBM in New York and then in Silicon Valley. And after working at two startups, I transitioned into politics, working on Hillary Clinton’s first presidential campaign, which ultimately led to a position in the State Department. 

My shift into the nonprofit world led me to Catalyst in 2018, where I found I can focus on my interests and my strengths, using my experience in the tech industry to focus on fundraising and on advancing women in the workplace and to drive Catalyst’s mission.

Adam: What are the best leadership lessons you have learned from your time as an executive, CEO and non-profit leader? 

Lorraine: Communication and agility are key, especially since the pandemic. It’s important to work with your team and set a clear direction to move forward. And it’s important to recognize where you bring value, where your strengths are, and to learn from your weaknesses. 

Adam: What do you believe are the defining qualities of an effective leader? How can leaders and aspiring leaders take their leadership skills to the next level? 

Lorraine: To be an effective leader, you need to be a lot of things at once. You need to be authentic, confident, and humble, and empathetic. You need to be able to listen, learn and connect to the people around you. It also improves collaboration, increases morale, and leads to a more inclusive environment. 

And effective leaders are able to align their passions and skills. In my case, I was very passionate about computers and technology. I was inspired by how computers can fundamentally change society, and I enjoyed the analytical side of computer programming. My career has taken a few turns, but that helped me discover the right path for me. 

Adam: What are your three best tips applicable to entrepreneurs, executives, and civic leaders? 

Lorraine: Again, communication is key. Set a clear vision, mission, and set of values for your organization to follow. Develop a strategic plan that aligns with a clear vision, mission, and values, and get buy-in from your team to evaluate and effectively execute it. And, finally, be prepared to adapt. Even the best strategy is made to be changed. 

Adam: In your experience, what are the key steps to growing and scaling a business? 

Lorraine: You have to attract the right people to build your team. Whether you’re at a small startup or a large organization like Catalyst, you need to have an effective, motivated team to grow. As a leader, it’s less about your specific skills and more about surrounding yourself with capable people who can execute your vision. 

Adam: What is your best advice on building, leading, and managing teams? 

Lorraine: You need to build a diverse team that you trust and create an environment where all people's ideas can be heard. And as the leader, you need to remember that it’s not all about your brilliant ideas. It’s about engaging your team and collaborating to find the best possible strategies and solutions.

Building a team is hard work, and attracting the right people is only the beginning. No one is good at everything. No matter the size of your organization, you need diverse talents, skills, and personalities. As the leader, it’s your job to make sure everyone’s voices can be heard.

What advice do you have for leaders on the topic of diversity and inclusion? 

Lorraine: Set specific goals within your organization around diversity and inclusion, measure your progress, and hold yourself accountable. Be aware of unconscious bias and how it can affect hiring practices and promotions. Diversify your team by having a diverse team as part of the selection process. Then you identify team members with high and devote resources to helping them succeed.

How can men and women best attack and ultimately close the gender gap? 

Lorraine: Collect data internally to evaluate pay scales around gender and race. Embrace transparency in your organization and encourage discussions around gender in the workplace and make sure lines of communication are always open for team members to voice concerns. Reevaluate processes for recruiting and promotions when gender bias has been identified.

Adam: What can anyone do to pay it forward? 

Lorraine: Become a mentor. A mentor can be an invaluable resource to keep you on track, providing support and encouragement. It’s a critical component for a mentee’s advancement.

Adam: What is the single best piece of advice you have ever received?

Lorraine: There isn’t a single piece of advice, but I have learned a lot working with Marillyn Hewson, the current Chairman and former President and CEO of Lockheed Martin and the current Chair of the Catalyst Board of Directors. She understands the importance of being accountable, taking ownership, and supporting her team.  But it’s also clear she understands that trust and humility are just as important. You need to be willing to learn and grow.


Adam Mendler is the CEO of The Veloz Group, where he co-founded and oversees ventures across a wide variety of industries. Adam is also the creator and host of the business and leadership podcast Thirty Minute Mentors, where he goes one on one with America's most successful people - Fortune 500 CEOs, founders of household name companies, Hall of Fame and Olympic gold medal winning athletes, political and military leaders - for intimate half-hour conversations each week. Adam has written extensively on leadership, management, entrepreneurship, marketing and sales, having authored over 70 articles published in major media outlets including Forbes, Inc. and HuffPost, and has conducted more than 500 one on one interviews with America’s top leaders through his collective media projects. A top leadership speaker, Adam draws upon his insights building and leading businesses and interviewing hundreds of America's top leaders as a top keynote speaker to businesses, universities and non-profit organizations.

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