Panel Profile: Stitch Fix CTO Cathy Polinsky

We get face-to-face with one of the IT Pro Panellists

Welcome to the IT Pro Panel Profile, where we talk to the CIOs, experts and IT leaders that make up the IT Pro Panel, and discover their top tech, pet peeves and IT inspirations.

One look at companies like Asos, Nike or Net A Porter should tell you everything you need to know about the rise of fashion tech. The latest combatant to enter the fray is Stitch Fix, a service that blends personal stylists and data science to bring its users perfectly-styled garments at an affordable price.

This is where CTO Cathy Polinsky comes in. With software development stints at Amazon, Oracle, Yahoo and Salesforce under her belt, she’s driving the service’s technical capabilities and leading its product, security, IT and engineering team.

Having made a splash in the US, Stitch Fix is aiming to cement itself as a fixture in the UK fashion market - and Polinksy is in charge of keeping its IT on trend.

Cathy Polinsky

CTO - Stitch Fix

Describe your role in 20 words or fewer.

Scaling disruptive online personal styling service for women, men and kids. I lead engineering, product, IT and security at Stitch Fix.

What was your first computer?

The Apple IIc computer. Perfect for learning Logo and Basic as well as playing Oregon Trail and Carmen Sandiego.

What do you like most about working in IT?

I love the constant change of pace. I’m happiest when I get to learn new things and solve interesting problems; fortunately, I get to do that every day in this industry and at Stitch Fix.

If you could magically get rid of one piece of technology forever, what would it be, and why?

Spam and robocalls. It’s not the technology so much as the abuse against it that makes it so bothersome.

What future tech innovations are you most excited about?

Self-driving cars. I’m both excited and terrified by the idea of self-driving cars. I dreamed of having a jet pack as a kid and this feels like the next best thing.

Who’s your biggest inspiration in the world of tech?

Ada Lovelace, the first computer programmer.

If you're a senior IT decision-maker and you'd like to apply to be part of the IT Pro Panel, please email panel@itpro.co.uk.

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