Dr. Gaby Hawat brings more than 30 years’ experience, notably in the fields of education and science, to his role as Principal at Catalyst Partners. He has extensive experience working with high-tech industries, federal, state, and local elected officials and agencies, and various organizations, universities and colleges. He has a proven track record for the acquisition and administration of local, state, and federal grants. He is currently the Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer of the University of Providence.

Before joining Catalyst Partners, Dr. Hawat was Senior Vice President for Operations and Global Initiatives at the Florida Institute of Technology (FIT). Before this, he spent nearly three decades at Valencia College in Orlando, serving as: Dean of Architecture, Engineering and Technology; Department Chair of Business, Computer Technology, Engineering and Public Services; and ultimately as Special Assistant to the President and Senior Executive for Strategic Initiatives and Economic Development, which included responsibility for developing new markets, strategic enterprises, partnerships, and global relationships.

Dr. Hawat currently serves as Chairman of the National Visiting Committee for the National CyberWatch Center (NCC). Funded by the National Science Foundation, NCC’s mission is to support cybersecurity education and workforce development solutions. He also serves on a number of science and leadership councils, as well as boards for education, high-tech industries, area chambers of commerce, and economic development entities.

Dr. Hawat holds a doctorate in higher education leadership from Nova Southeastern University. He earned his Master of Science in electrical engineering from the Florida Institute of Technology and is a graduate of Harvard University’s Management Development program. Dr. Hawat is the recipient of numerous awards, including: the National Collegiate Engineering Award; the National Collegiate Leadership Award; the National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development Excellence Award; and the Scholastic All-American Award.