Name: Catherine
Hometown: Sacramento
Current Home: San Diego
Languages: English and Beg/Int Spanish
Tenure: Rookie
College: Loyola Marymount University
Degree: Bachelor of Science in Finance, Minor in Accounting
Occupation: Marketing Project Coordinator at an Investment Firm

What is your favorite thing about your job?
My favorite part about my job is that it combines several of my skills and passions. I get to collaborate across the business, drawing on the skills and knowledge from my equity research background while leaning more into my creativity, whether that's partnering with our research team on content or working with our sales team on conferences and client events. But what excites me most is being people-facing and getting to build content and events that feel memorable and engaging for both clients and employees.

What was your first job?
I worked at a frozen yogurt shop and probably ate way too many of the toppings during my shifts.

When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
I wanted to be a wedding planner (before I realized that it's more work than just looking at flowers and cakes all day)! I was obsessed with wedding shows and loved the beauty, creativity, and excitement of bringing someone's dream celebration to life. Looking back, it's cool to realize that even though I don't plan weddings, I still get to create beautiful, memorable events for my firm!

What activities bring you the most joy?
Morning coffee walks (pistachio lattes are my current obsession), spending time in nature, a great workout class (I consider myself a ClassPass connoisseur) and spending time with friends and family.

What is your personal motto?
The best investment you can make is in yourself.

What causes are you passionate about?
I am incredibly passionate about mentorship and the importance of sharing your knowledge and experiences with others. I'm fortunate to help run my firm's college women's mentorship program, where I get to connect with young women, support their goals, and pay forward the guidance that so many mentors once gave me. I'm also passionate about financial literacy, especially for women, and making finance feel more inclusive and accessible.

Do you volunteer? If so, where?
I volunteer as an event coordinator at my church and at food banks in my area.

What is an interesting fact about you?
I was a coxswain for a men's rowing team that placed at the Head of the Charles and USRowing Youth National Championships.

What is your favorite part of game day?
My favorite part of game day is connecting with the Faithful! Seeing the excitement on their faces and feeling the energy they bring to the stadium is incredible. I feed off that energy and love sharing in those unforgettable moments with them!

If you could make up a cheerleading superpower, what would it be?
360-degree vision so I could see every single person cheering in the stadium at once!

Do you have any skills or talents that most people don't know about?

Investing and crafting (especially rhinestoning!).

How do you want people to remember you?
I want to be remembered as someone who was a light — someone who brought positivity and energy, made people feel seen and cared for, and cheering on everyone around them.

What is a personal goal you are working towards this year?
As a former dance fitness instructor, I loved creating a space where people could grow stronger, build confidence, and have fun. As I prepare for my first season on Gold Rush, I've been diving into dancer-specific strength and conditioning, and one of my goals is to use what I'm learning to create my own fitness class. I would love to bring dancers and non-dancers together to train, build community, and feel strong and empowered in their bodies.

Who is your biggest role model and why?
My mom is my biggest role model and my best friend. After dedicating years to raising three children, she returned to school, earned two master's degrees, and built an incredibly successful and fulfilling career, all while remaining the most present, supportive, and loving person to everyone around her. Watching her reinvent herself later in life showed me the importance of betting on yourself, embracing new opportunities, and trusting that you'll end up where you're meant to be. More than anything, her kindness, generosity, and ability to make everyone feel loved are qualities that I strive to emulate every day.

What is your favorite thing about Gold Rush?
I love SO many things about Gold Rush, but my favorite is how multidimensional everyone is. The women and men on this team come from such diverse backgrounds and have incredible careers, passions, and talents outside of dance. They're also some of the most humble, hardworking, and supportive people I've ever met. Being surrounded by people who excel both on and off the field inspires me so much, and I feel incredibly lucky to learn from them every day.

What song gets you pumped up on game day?
Anything Pitbull!

If you were a football player, what position would you play?
I would be a safety, because I'm good at seeing the whole picture, anticipating what's coming, and stepping in to fix problems before they become bigger ones.

What is your favorite pregame ritual?
My favorite pregame ritual is taking a few quiet minutes to close my eyes, focus on my breathing, and visualize the performance start to finish. This helps me feel prepared, grounded, and confident. I also say a few words of gratitude and affirmations out loud, reminding myself how lucky I am to be there and that I've done the work to be ready. Shifting my focus from pressure to gratitude lets me be fully present and perform with joy!

What are you most looking forward to this season?
I could not be more excited for our home game in Mexico City! With two grandparents from Mexico and family who still live there, it would be incredibly meaningful to perform in a place that holds such a special connection to my family and heritage. I'm looking forward to being immersed in the culture, experiencing the incredible energy of the Faithful in Mexico City (who I've heard are some of the most passionate 49ers fans!), and hopefully, celebrate a win together!

Is there anything else you'd like to share with the Faithful? What do you want us to know about you? 
Becoming a member of Gold Rush was the biggest and boldest dream I've ever had, and I still feel like the luckiest girl in the world to live it every day. For a long time, I thought my 10-year break from dance and my petite stature meant it would never be possible, but I learned that the only thing truly standing in my way was my own doubt. I hope the Faithful know that big dreams are worth chasing and can absolutely come true. The goals that seem impossible today may be the very ones that change your life in the best way tomorrow, and I'll be cheering you on every step of the way!❤️