Katharyn F. Houke Smith, MBA, Glp, Ccte (She / Her)
About Katharyn F. Houke Smith, MBA, Glp, Ccte (She / Her)
Katharyn F. Houke Smith is the Global Head of Travel Related Services at Thoughtworks, a position she has held since 2020. She has extensive experience in corporate travel management and procurement, having worked in various roles at CareerBuilder and the University of Chicago.
Current Role at ThoughtWorks
Katharyn F. Houke Smith serves as the Global Head of Travel Related Services at ThoughtWorks. She has held this position since 2020, contributing to the company's travel strategy and operations. In this role, she is responsible for overseeing travel-related services, ensuring efficiency and effectiveness in travel management.
Previous Experience at CareerBuilder
Prior to her current role, Katharyn worked at CareerBuilder in various capacities. She served as the Director of Global Procurement & Travel from 2018 to 2020, and as the Director of Corporate Travel from 2016 to 2018. Her career at CareerBuilder began as a Corporate Travel Manager from 2010 to 2013, and she also held the position of Sr. Corporate Travel Manager for one year in 2014 to 2015.
Educational Background
Katharyn holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Marketing from Chicago State University. She furthered her education by obtaining an MBA in Hospitality & Global Supply Chain Management from Keller Graduate School of Management of DeVry University. Additionally, she studied at the University of Virginia Darden School of Business, where she achieved the Global Leadership Professional® designation.
Professional Development and Certifications
Katharyn is actively pursuing professional development. She is currently enrolled in the Global Leadership Professional Program at The Wharton School, where she is working towards a Certificate of Professional Development. She also holds the Certified Corporate Travel Executive (CCTE) designation from Cornell University, which she achieved in 2005.
Involvement with Global Business Travel Association
Since 2020, Katharyn has been a member of the Global Aviation Committee at the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA). In this role, she engages with industry professionals to address challenges and opportunities within the global travel sector.