Greater Washington Partnership taps new CEO

The Greater Washington Partnership has named Kathy Hollinger as its new CEO, the economic development organization announced Tuesday.

Hollinger is the president and CEO of the Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington, which she has led since 2012. She begins at GWP Oct. 3, according to a news release.

“This region is near and dear to my heart and I’ve always worked hard to advocate for the private sector to play a leadership role in advancing inclusive growth,” Hollinger said in a statement. “I’m humbled and honored to take on the role of CEO and steer this impactful organization and our region to be the most inclusive and competitive in the country.”

At the restaurant association, she represented restaurants and food service companies with more than 100,000 employees in Northern Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, D.C.

Prior to that, she served as film commissioner and agency director of the District of Columbia Office of Motion Picture and Television Development, where she promoted the nation’s capital for TV and movie productions. Earlier in her career, Hollinger served as senior director of external affairs for Comcast of the District LLC. She was also was the founder and managing director of Storyboard Communications LLC, a boutique strategic communications and public affairs agency.

Hollinger earned her bachelor’s degree in communications from American University and a master’s degree in public policy and community relations from George Mason University.

In June, the Greater Washington Partnership unveiled its $4.7 billion Regional Blueprint for Inclusive Growth, a 10-year plan to increase equity and create a more inclusive economy in a region spanning from Baltimore to Richmond.

Hollinger replaces JB Holston, who had led the organization since September 2020.