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Katica Roy

  • CEO and Founder of Pipeline
  • Award-Winning Gender Economist
  • Programmer and Data Scientist
  • LinkedIn’s 2022 Top Influencer for Gender Equity

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Katica Roy is an award-winning gender economist, former Global 500 global executive, programmer, data scientist, and the CEO and founder of an award-winning SaaS company, Pipeline.

CNN, MSNBC, CBS, Bloomberg, Cheddar, MarketWatch, Yahoo Finance, Wharton Business, Newsy, and NBC have sought Katica for her sharp and unconventional take on the day’s headlines. She has interviewed former President Biden, former Vice President Harris,Senators Booker and Gillibrand, former Secretary Pete, Canadian Pay Equity Commissioner Karen Jensen, Sophia Bush, Eve Rodsky, Gretchen Carlson, and Dr. Maya Rockeymoore Cummings. 

She has spoken on over 100 of the top stages across the world, including major stages at SXSW,CES, Web Summit, and for major corporations such as BNP Paribas, JP Morgan, P&G, Cisco, Google, and Microsoft. 

Her high-octane, visionary articles have been published by the World Economic Forum, Fast Company, Fortune, Forbes, Bloomberg, NBC, Entrepreneur, The Hill, The Advocate, Harvard Business Review, and MorningConsult. Her articles have garnered over 2.9 billion impressions.

Katica is the flagship expert columnist for Equity Observer, a new vertical from Design Observer led by Editor-in-Chief Ellen McGirt, the former Fortune editor and creator of the award-winning RaceAhead newsletter.

Her biweekly column, Equity by Design™, explores how equity must be intentionally built into the foundations of business, technology, policy, and the economy. Katica’s

 work has been cited by multiple New York Times bestselling authors across more than 10 books. Her research has also been cited  in multiple U.S. congressional publications and proceedings,  and she serves as a resource to policymakers. 

In 2017 Katica was named a Luminary by the Colorado Technology Association; in 2018 a Colorado Governors' Fellow; in 2019 a Top 25 Most Powerful Women in Business and awarded the Stevie Entrepreneur of the Year—Gold Award; in 2020 she was named the Colorado Entrepreneur of the Year; in 2022 a LinkedIn Top Influencer for gender equity. She is a member of Fast Company’s Impact Council, Bloomberg’s New Economy Forum, The Aspen Institute's Tech Accountability Coalition, and the US Small Business Administration’s National Women’s Business Council (where she advises the President, Congress, and the SBA on funding female entrepreneurs—including oversight of the $34 billion in federal contracting set-asides earmarked each year for female founders).

Pipeline uses advanced technology to make intersectional gender parity a reality in our lifetime. Under Katica’s leadership, Pipeline created the first gender equity app on Salesforce’s AppExchange and was named one of TIME Magazine’s Best Inventions of 2019.

 The company has also been recognized on Fast Company’s lists 2020 and 2023 World’s Most Innovative Companies, 2021 Next Big Things in Tech and 2022 World Changing Ideas.

 In recognition of Pipeline’s groundbreaking work to close the gender equity gap, Governor John Hickenlooper officially declared April 10 “Equity for All® Day” in the State of Colorado.

Katica’s passion for equity is deeply personal. She is the daughter of an immigrant and a refugee, plus a proud, breadwinner mother raising a teenage daughter and son.

Nearly 60 years to the day after her father and sisters climbed the stairs of  Air Force One to freedom—thanks to the humanitarian intervention of President Eisenhower—Katica received a letter from another U.S. President, Barack Obama, thanking  her for standing up and speaking out. It was a full-circle moment that underscored the generational impact of her work.

 

Katica Roy headshot
Katica Roy photo 3
Katica Roy photo 2
Past Hosts Include:
  • Women’s Foundation of Alabama
  • Edelman
  • Bloomberg
  • Cisco
  • The Atlantic
  • Salesforce
  • Techonomy
  • Microsoft
  • SXSW
  • Google
Rave Reviews About Katica Roy
“
Katica Roy has presented to the board and the broader community of The Women’s Foundation of Colorado twice about the economic impact of Covid on women and their families. Katica consistently provides in-depth data-driven information in a way that is compelling, engaging, and easily understood by a wide range of audiences. She uses a combination of visual and verbal presentation to explain not only the data but also the implications for women’s lives. She also addresses the impact of policies.

”
More rave reviews

"Katica Roy delivered a powerful keynote that resonated across our organization. Her data-driven approach to gender equity, combined with compelling storytelling, sparked important conversations and inspired real momentum. A true catalyst for change."

-United Way Worldwide

"Katica brought expertise, energy, and enthusiasm to her speaking engagements at SXSW. These are the three most important qualities I am looking for when booking content for our event."

-SXSW

"Katica Roy delivered groundbreaking insights with ease, made information relatable and digestible, and did an excellent job weaving in storytelling with cold, hard facts and data. Aside from the content of her presentation, her knowledge and presence were captivating. The audience felt engaged, educated, and compelled to act. Katica possesses the rare trait of combining storytelling, research, and solutions into a symphony of hope for everyone who bears witness."

-Women’s Foundation of Alabama

"Katica is a friendly, confident, and engaging speaker, bringing relevant examples and anecdotes to the audience. She is also flexible in terms of speaking – given we had to quickly mock up a temporary stage, she was happy and quick to adapt to the surroundings and deliver her input."

-Thomson Reuters Foundation

"Katica provided our audience with timely, essential insight into the role AI should play in reducing gender inequality in organizations. Her talk was entertaining, educational, and digestible – which is what event producers and their audiences are looking for. The conversation around ensuring the benefits of AI are shared equitably across society (and within organizations) has never been more important. It will only grow in importance. Our event is predominantly an enterprise AI event and the content was well-tailored to this audience."

-AI Summit

"Katica has spoken at several Techonomy and Worth events in recent years about a range of topics including artificial intelligence as a tool for gender equity and the importance of gender equity in the fight against climate change. Katica has a fantastic stage presence and has the ability to explore complex topics with clarity and nuance. She is an engaging, dynamic speaker and a pleasure to work with. We hope to have her back again soon!"

-Techonomy

"Firstly, Katica knows what she is talking about making her instantly credible and enjoyable to listen to. Secondly, she captures a large audience and grasps their attention quickly and effectively. Lastly, Katica enjoys public speaking and is comfortable in front of a large audience."

-Web Summit, The World's Largest Technology Conference

"I had the pleasure of hearing Katica Roy speak at a women’s summit at Florida Institute of Technology a few years back. Blown away is putting it mildly. She put DEI in real, quantitative, and meaningful terms, confirming the bias I have experienced my entire career and proving the impact of women in the workplace, marketplace, and at home. That experience flipped a switch for me, empowering me to amplifying my voice around, for, and in honor of women. She lit a fire in me. Take a moment and fling open the door to learning. She is brilliant, articulate, and worth your time."

-Keynote Audience Member, Florida Institute of Technology
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Talks & Conversations with Katica Roy
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The Pink Tax 2.0: How Tariffs Penalize Women Consumers

Best for: Trade associations, consumer rights advocates, economists Abstract: Tariff policy in the U.S. places a disproportionate cost burden on women. Women’s apparel is taxed at 16.7% compared to 13.6% for men’s—leading to an annual $2.77B gender tariff gap that inflates to $8–11B at checkout due ...

  • Best for: Trade associations, consumer rights advocates, economists
  • Abstract: Tariff policy in the U.S. places a disproportionate cost burden on women. Women’s apparel is taxed at 16.7% compared to 13.6% for men’s—leading to an annual $2.77B gender tariff gap that inflates to $8–11B at checkout due to markups. With 97% of apparel and 98% of footwear imported, the impact is widespread. Katica Roy uncovers how gender-based price disparities were embedded into trade classifications and what economic reforms can restore fairness, reduce household costs, and improve consumer equity.

The Cost of Silencing DEI: What America Stands to Lose

Best for: C-suite, investors, HR leaders Abstract: DEI isn't just a values issue—it's an economic one. DEI is not just about fairness—it’s about financial performance. Katica Roy’s original research across 4,161 companies in 29 countries shows that every 10% increase in intersectional gender equity ...

  • Best for: C-suite, investors, HR leaders
  • Abstract: DEI isn't just a values issue—it's an economic one. DEI is not just about fairness—it’s about financial performance. Katica Roy’s original research across 4,161 companies in 29 countries shows that every 10% increase in intersectional gender equity is associated with a 1–2% increase in revenue. As backlash against DEI efforts grows, Roy highlights the measurable risk to revenue and business resilience and offers a data-driven case for embedding equity as a core business strategy.

Women in Power: The Political Engine for a Future-Ready Workforce

Best for: Civic groups, public policy forums, women in leadership Abstract: Countries with higher political gender parity see stronger outcomes in education, health, and workforce readiness. Yet globally, women hold only 28% of parliamentary seats and 10.5% of head-of-state roles. Katica Roy explor ...

  • Best for: Civic groups, public policy forums, women in leadership
  • Abstract: Countries with higher political gender parity see stronger outcomes in education, health, and workforce readiness. Yet globally, women hold only 28% of parliamentary seats and 10.5% of head-of-state roles. Katica Roy explores how electing more women leads to policy environments that prepare nations for automation, care needs, and future labor market shifts.

Authoritarianism and the Economic Rollback of Women’s Rights

Best for: International audiences, democracy, and policy summits Abstract: Curtailing women’s rights often accompanies a decline in democratic norms and economic performance. A 10% drop in gender inequality is linked to a 1–2% rise in revenue. Katica Roy connects the global rollback of gender right ...

  • Best for: International audiences, democracy, and policy summits
  • Abstract: Curtailing women’s rights often accompanies a decline in democratic norms and economic performance. A 10% drop in gender inequality is linked to a 1–2% rise in revenue. Katica Roy connects the global rollback of gender rights with weakened labor participation and innovation—and demonstrates how equity safeguards both democracy and prosperity.

When the Government Stops Working, Women Pay the Price

Best for: Policy influencers, nonprofit leaders, journalists Abstract: Budget freezes and shutdowns harm women disproportionately. Women make up 69% of the lowest earners and do 2.3x more unpaid care work. Katica Roy outlines how cuts to education, healthcare, and child care disrupt economic securi ...

  • Best for: Policy influencers, nonprofit leaders, journalists
  • Abstract: Budget freezes and shutdowns harm women disproportionately. Women make up 69% of the lowest earners and do 2.3x more unpaid care work. Katica Roy outlines how cuts to education, healthcare, and child care disrupt economic security for families—and how gender-responsive policy can build resilience into government systems.

From Margins to Markets: Why Gender Equity is Critical to Growth

Best for: Corporate boards, think tanks, global economic forums Abstract: Women earn 83 cents to every dollar men earn and lead households with 45% less median wealth. These disparities reduce consumer power and restrict economic mobility. Katica Roy explains how closing equity gaps increases innov ...

  • Best for: Corporate boards, think tanks, global economic forums
  • Abstract: Women earn 83 cents to every dollar men earn and lead households with 45% less median wealth. These disparities reduce consumer power and restrict economic mobility. Katica Roy explains how closing equity gaps increases innovation, labor force participation, and GDP—turning marginalized populations into market drivers.

Fixing the Leaky Pipeline: How Gender Inequity Is Costing the U.S. Trillions

Best for: Business leaders, CHROs, economists, workforce development Abstract: Workplace inequity causes attrition, underutilized talent, and massive productivity losses. Katica Roy shows how plugging the "leaks" in hiring, promotion, and pay can restore $3.1 trillion to the U.S. economy. She prese ...

  • Best for: Business leaders, CHROs, economists, workforce development
  • Abstract: Workplace inequity causes attrition, underutilized talent, and massive productivity losses. Katica Roy shows how plugging the "leaks" in hiring, promotion, and pay can restore $3.1 trillion to the U.S. economy. She presents a data-driven roadmap to redesign talent systems for sustainable growth.

The Economic Case for Gender Equity: Why Men Must Be Part of the Conversation

Best for: Leadership teams, male allies, DEI champions Abstract: Men lead 90% of Fortune 500 companies yet are often sidelined in equity conversations. Katica Roy reframes gender equity as a shared opportunity. Her research across 4,161 companies in 29 countries found that every 10% increase in int ...

  • Best for: Leadership teams, male allies, DEI champions
  • Abstract: Men lead 90% of Fortune 500 companies yet are often sidelined in equity conversations. Katica Roy reframes gender equity as a shared opportunity. Her research across 4,161 companies in 29 countries found that every 10% increase in intersectional gender equity is associated with a 1–2% increase in revenue. She provides actionable strategies to bring male leaders into the dialogue as co-creators of equitable, high-performing workplaces.

The Cost of Inequity: What Gender Gaps Are Doing to Your Region, State, or Industry

Best for: Economic developers, industry associations, state leaders Abstract: Gender equity isn’t just a national issue—it’s a local economic lever. Closing gender gaps in workforce participation could grow U.S. GDP by $3.1 trillion and global GDP by 11%. Katica Roy tailors her analysis to your sec ...

  • Best for: Economic developers, industry associations, state leaders
  • Abstract: Gender equity isn’t just a national issue—it’s a local economic lever. Closing gender gaps in workforce participation could grow U.S. GDP by $3.1 trillion and global GDP by 11%. Katica Roy tailors her analysis to your sector or region to show how inclusive practices expand economic opportunity.

The Throughline: How Gender Equity Connects America’s Most Pressing Issues

Best for: Policymakers, educators, healthcare leaders, general audiences Abstract: Gender equity is the common thread running through education, healthcare, labor, and Social Security. With 40% of U.S. households relying on women as primary earners, underinvestment weakens entire communities. Katic ...

  • Best for: Policymakers, educators, healthcare leaders, general audiences
  • Abstract: Gender equity is the common thread running through education, healthcare, labor, and Social Security. With 40% of U.S. households relying on women as primary earners, underinvestment weakens entire communities. Katica Roy demonstrates how advancing equity can solve multiple policy challenges at once.

Engineering Equity: How AI Can Help Build the Workforce of the Future

Best for: Tech companies, HR tech conferences, future of work summits Abstract: Although many CEOs say gender equity is a top priority, only 22% of employees see it tracked. Katica Roy illustrates how AI can reduce bias across the employee lifecycle, from hiring to promotion—strengthening fairness ...

  • Best for: Tech companies, HR tech conferences, future of work summits
  • Abstract: Although many CEOs say gender equity is a top priority, only 22% of employees see it tracked. Katica Roy illustrates how AI can reduce bias across the employee lifecycle, from hiring to promotion—strengthening fairness and business outcomes alike.

The Future of DEI Is Financial: Turning Equity Into Economic Strategy

Best for: Boards, ESG investors, corporate strategists Abstract: DEI is not a cost center—it’s a revenue driver. Katica Roy delivers the metrics and market rationale for embedding equity into corporate strategy, aligning DEI efforts with ESG mandates, shareholder value, and long-term economic resil ...

  • Best for: Boards, ESG investors, corporate strategists
  • Abstract: DEI is not a cost center—it’s a revenue driver. Katica Roy delivers the metrics and market rationale for embedding equity into corporate strategy, aligning DEI efforts with ESG mandates, shareholder value, and long-term economic resilience.

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Press & Media
Women are supporting a tax system that doesn’t support them - Fast Company
Why men can (and should) participate in the care economy too - World Economic Forum
The recession is already here—if you’re a woman - Fortune
Leaders support on this issue is a force multiplier for their employees and their bottom line - Fast Company
Award-winning economist has tapped AI to close the gender equity gap - The Next Web
Implicit bias training doesn't work. Here's what does. - MSNBC
EU Pay Transparency Infographic - LinkedIn
The Economic Opportunities of Closing the Gender Equity Gap - HR Data Labs
Biden’s historic stand with UAW members shows how far labor activism has come in America. True equal pay should be next on his agenda. - Fortune
This is exactly how managers can have a conversation about equity without the backlash - Fast Company
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Ideas for the Meeting Planner
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Biography

Katica Roy is an award-winning gender economist, former Global 500 global executive, programmer, data scientist, and the CEO and founder of an award-winning SaaS company, Pipeline.

CNN, MSNBC, CBS, Bloomberg, Cheddar, MarketWatch, Yahoo Finance, Wharton Business, Newsy, and NBC have sought Katica for her sharp and unconventional take on the day’s headlines. She has interviewed former President Biden, former Vice President Harris,Senators Booker and Gillibrand, former Secretary Pete, Canadian Pay Equity Commissioner Karen Jensen, Sophia Bush, Eve Rodsky, Gretchen Carlson, and Dr. Maya Rockeymoore Cummings. 

She has spoken on over 100 of the top stages across the world, including major stages at SXSW,CES, Web Summit, and for major corporations such as BNP Paribas, JP Morgan, P&G, Cisco, Google, and Microsoft. 

Her high-octane, visionary articles have been published by the World Economic Forum, Fast Company, Fortune, Forbes, Bloomberg, NBC, Entrepreneur, The Hill, The Advocate, Harvard Business Review, and MorningConsult. Her articles have garnered over 2.9 billion impressions.

Katica is the flagship expert columnist for Equity Observer, a new vertical from Design Observer led by Editor-in-Chief Ellen McGirt, the former Fortune editor and creator of the award-winning RaceAhead newsletter.

Her biweekly column, Equity by Design™, explores how equity must be intentionally built into the foundations of business, technology, policy, and the economy. Katica’s

 work has been cited by multiple New York Times bestselling authors across more than 10 books. Her research has also been cited  in multiple U.S. congressional publications and proceedings,  and she serves as a resource to policymakers. 

In 2017 Katica was named a Luminary by the Colorado Technology Association; in 2018 a Colorado Governors' Fellow; in 2019 a Top 25 Most Powerful Women in Business and awarded the Stevie Entrepreneur of the Year—Gold Award; in 2020 she was named the Colorado Entrepreneur of the Year; in 2022 a LinkedIn Top Influencer for gender equity. She is a member of Fast Company’s Impact Council, Bloomberg’s New Economy Forum, The Aspen Institute's Tech Accountability Coalition, and the US Small Business Administration’s National Women’s Business Council (where she advises the President, Congress, and the SBA on funding female entrepreneurs—including oversight of the $34 billion in federal contracting set-asides earmarked each year for female founders).

Pipeline uses advanced technology to make intersectional gender parity a reality in our lifetime. Under Katica’s leadership, Pipeline created the first gender equity app on Salesforce’s AppExchange and was named one of TIME Magazine’s Best Inventions of 2019.

 The company has also been recognized on Fast Company’s lists 2020 and 2023 World’s Most Innovative Companies, 2021 Next Big Things in Tech and 2022 World Changing Ideas.

 In recognition of Pipeline’s groundbreaking work to close the gender equity gap, Governor John Hickenlooper officially declared April 10 “Equity for All® Day” in the State of Colorado.

Katica’s passion for equity is deeply personal. She is the daughter of an immigrant and a refugee, plus a proud, breadwinner mother raising a teenage daughter and son.

Nearly 60 years to the day after her father and sisters climbed the stairs of  Air Force One to freedom—thanks to the humanitarian intervention of President Eisenhower—Katica received a letter from another U.S. President, Barack Obama, thanking  her for standing up and speaking out. It was a full-circle moment that underscored the generational impact of her work.

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