Serving as Husch Blackwell’s first female Chair from 2021 to 2024, Catherine’s leadership prowess cultivated notable successes. Overseeing more than 2,000 lawyers and business professionals across 25 offices, she guided the firm to new heights, setting the strategy and working with the executive board to foster dramatic financial growth. Under her visionary leadership, Husch Blackwell thrived, emphasizing innovation and client-focused solutions. Her strategic direction and commitment to excellence were instrumental in the firm’s success, moving it up 22 spots to become the 82nd largest law firm by revenue in the U.S. 

A pioneering leader in public service, organizational governance, and as a strategic business partner, Catherine’s journey began with a passion for justice and a commitment to public service. She burst through the glass ceiling as the first female Speaker of the Missouri House of Representatives, where she championed pivotal reforms in education, public safety, and economic development. Catherine’s ability to foster bipartisan collaborations and manage legislative processes with unparalleled effectiveness set a new standard for leadership in the state. 

As the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Missouri, Catherine spearheaded initiatives against healthcare fraud, financial crimes, and public and private corruption, significantly increasing prosecution success rates and ensuring justice was served. Her tenure was marked by a relentless pursuit of integrity and a strategic approach that garnered respect and admiration from her peers and the communities she served. 

Catherine is a trusted advisor to boards of directors, officers, and senior management, offering comprehensive solutions to address legislative and enforcement challenges. She has been in the boardroom, providing strategic insights and risk management skills invaluable to leading global and closely held companies, their officers, and their owners, as they navigate complex business landscapes.