Catherine Hoke is the founder and CEO of Defy Ventures, Inc. I love Catherine’s visits to FCC because the Defy Venture graduates are always so inspiring! (Plus, last time they brought us cupcakes… Way to win us over!) Looking forward to hearing more about this amazing program on Friday morning at Blue.
What song is at the top of your playlist?
Which one?! Too many …
When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?
As a French-Canadian born immigrant, I wanted to become a lawyer so I could change the constitution so I could one day become President of the US.
What is the best piece of either personal or professional advice you’ve gotten?
When I was nervously considering jumping ship from the corporate world to pursue my calling: “Every day that you’re not pursuing your dream is a waste of another day.”
Do you have a favorite quote or scripture verse that motivates and inspires you?
1 Timothy 6: 17-19
17 Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. 18 Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. 19 In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.
Do you have a website or blog to share with our readers?
www.defyventures.org. Sign up on our mailing list online to get my messages.
More about Catherine:
Catherine started Defy in 2010 after founding and leading the Prison Entrepreneurship Program (PEP), a nonprofit organization that serves men throughout the Texas prison system. At PEP, Catherine developed the vision, recruited and worked closely with the Governing Board and three Local and National Advisory Boards to execute the vision, led a staff of 25, raised a $2.5 million privately funded budget, taught PEP’s curriculum to men in prison, oversaw all activities with the prison system, and served as an advocate to external constituents. Under Catherine’s leadership, PEP was recognized for its innovation and results by NBC Nightly News, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Economist, National Public Radio, Entrepreneur Magazine, and Deal Maker Magazine. She graduated with a degree in Business Administration from University of California, Berkeley.