Catherine Connelly Keynote Speaker from Princeton, NJ

Catherine Connelly is an entrepreneur, author, and keynote speaker with more than 20 years of experience speaking to audiences around the world, from university classrooms and leadership conferences to major global stages. At 15, Catherine co-founded an early social network that grew into The Meet Group, a portfolio of social and dating apps used by millions. Over 18 years, she helped scale the company through multiple industry shifts, took it public in a $100M transaction, and later led it through a $500M acquisition. Her career has been shaped by navigating change, making high-stakes decisions, and building teams in fast-moving, uncertain environments. Catherine has delivered keynotes and talks across the United States and internationally, speaking everywhere from New Jersey to Seoul and Nice. Her experience includes keynote addresses, solo presentations, panels, and mentorship roles at institutions and events such as Georgetown University, Wharton, Boston College, Penn State, SXSW, and TEDx. She has spoken to students, founders, executives, and community leaders, tailoring her message to resonate across industries and career stages. Today, Catherine delivers engaging, story-driven keynotes focused on leadership, innovation, resilience, and better decision-making. She is also the author of Designing Success: Lessons from 20 Years as a Female Tech Entrepreneur, where she expands on many of the ideas she shares on stage. Her talks blend real operating experience with practical frameworks audiences can apply immediately, without hype or generic motivation. Clients can expect a keynote that is thoughtful, grounded, and highly relatable, leaving audiences both energized and equipped to act. Catherine’s work and insights have been featured in outlets including The Wall Street Journal, Fortune, Inc. Magazine, Fast Company, and CNBC, and she has been recognized as Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year in the Philadelphia region.