AUSTIN, TX - New leaders warm the hearts of the ANUK editorial staff, especially when we hear of them within the retail space. Cathy Harm has been named Regional Vice President in Central Texas, a role she entered into in early 2020. Taking the reins of this role just as the pandemic began, Harm utilized her deep industry knowledge to help H-E-B navigate the fluctuations.

“No one started this year anticipating being a frontline worker in a global pandemic,” said Harm. “But when a crisis hits, there is no organization better equipped than H-E-B to manage and lead through it. It has been my privilege to work alongside 20,000 talented H-E-B Partners in Central Texas as we creatively served our customers through these uncertain times. The people and the culture of the greater Austin community make this a special place to call home, and I’m honored to represent H-E-B here. I’m equally honored to work beside our innovative, passionate, and committed team of Partners as we wrap up 2020 and head into 2021.”

According to a press release, Harm began her 35-year H-E-B career in Central Texas store operations shortly after graduating college. She took on multiple leadership roles including Category Manager for General Merchandise followed by Importing Buyer where she sourced, developed, and procured products from Thailand, Taiwan, and Hong Kong.

As she moved into the Director of Own Brand position, she led development efforts and teams for some of H-E-B’s most iconic brands. She then advanced to Director of Merchandising and Marketing in the San Antonio region and then took on the role of Director of Retail Operations which subsequently led to her new position.

In addition to industry work, Harm loves to work within her community. She is a diversity advocate award recipient who embraces H-E-B’s “Helping Here” and “Spirit of Giving” philosophies. Through her work with H-E-B’s Women in Leadership programs, she aims to inspire, empower, and develop female leaders to significant leadership roles within the company and community. She also serves on the Board of the United Way for Greater Austin, where she successfully led H-E-B’s first virtual Partner fundraising campaign this fall, which raised more than $1.4 million in pledges from Central Texas Partners.

Harm has an MBA from Our Lady of the Lake University and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Management from Texas Lutheran University. She has been married to her wife, Tracey Blackwell, for 30 years, and they have two sons.

Congratulations to Cathy Harm on this achievement and next step in her career!

H-E-B