Catherine Barba Chiaramonti, born on February 28, 1973, in Rueil-Malmaison, France, is a prominent entrepreneur and business executive known for her significant contributions to the digital retail landscape. As the founder of the Catherine Barba Group, she specializes in helping retail startups navigate the digital market, ensuring they develop effective omnichannel strategies.

Barba hails from a family of Spanish immigrants who found success in France. Her father worked at Esso and her mother at Technip, instilling in her a strong work ethic. She pursued her education in business at the prestigious École supérieure de commerce de Paris, graduating in 1996. During her studies, she developed a keen interest in the internet, which would shape her future career.

Her journey in the digital world began during an internship at Technip in the United States in 1995, where she was first exposed to the potential of the web. Upon graduation, she joined OMD, where she launched their internet department, marking the start of her illustrious career in digital marketing. By 1999, she was appointed General Manager of iFrance, leading the company until its acquisition by Vivendi in 2003.

In 2004, Barba founded CashStore, an innovative e-commerce platform focused on cashback services, which quickly gained traction, amassing over 500,000 users. She later established Malinea, a digital commerce consultancy that she sold to vente-privée.com in 2011. This experience solidified her reputation as a leader in digital transformation.

In September 2012, Barba founded the Catherine Barba Group, a consultancy that supports global retailers in enhancing their digital strategies. She is also a staunch advocate for women in technology, organizing initiatives such as La Journée de la Femme Digitale (Digital Women Day) to empower female entrepreneurs.

Her contributions to the field have not gone unnoticed; in 2011, she received the prestigious Femme d’Entreprise en Or (Golden Businesswoman) award. In 2021, her continued success as president of GB Group and founder of Malinea was highlighted by Echos Entrepreneurs.

Beyond her business endeavors, Barba co-founded Envi, a school designed to support independents and freelancers in structuring their businesses effectively. In 2020, she appeared as an investor on the French reality television series “Qui veut être mon associé?” (“Who wants to be my business partner?”), showcasing her commitment to nurturing new talent.

Currently residing in New York, Barba is married to entrepreneur Arnaud Chiaramonti, and together they manage the Florida-based Catherine Barba Group LLC. As a recognized expert in digital transformation, she continues to inspire and lead in the evolving landscape of digital retail, helping others navigate their paths to success.