Innopay - István Katona, CEO

1. Why do you think membership in the American Chamber of Commerce is important for businesses operating in Hungary?

I believe AmCham provides a unique platform where international and Hungarian businesses can come together, share perspectives and jointly contribute to improving Hungary’s competitiveness and business environment. Through its strong business community and constructive dialogue with government and other stakeholders, AmCham can turn the experience and knowledge of its members into meaningful initiatives and recommendations, while creating valuable opportunities to connect, learn from each other and build partnerships.

In an increasingly complex and rapidly changing economic environment, I believe this combination of advocacy, collaboration and community makes AmCham membership particularly valuable.

2. What motivates you to be an AmCham Board Member?

I have had the privilege of building my professional life in Hungary. This is where I built my career, where I am raising my family, and where I continue to be inspired by the people, businesses and communities around me. I believe in “learn, earn, return”, and at this stage of my career I feel a responsibility to give back to the community that has given me so much.

Having served as an AmCham Board Member and Second Vice President, I would like to bring back the experience and new perspective I have gained since then, particularly in competitiveness, digitalization and innovation, and in supporting Hungarian companies and startups in their growth and international ambitions. As a father, I also think about what kind of country and opportunities we leave to the next generation, and what example we set for them.

3. Why do you feel you are qualified? What skills do you bring to the position?

I bring more than 30 years of leadership experience across multinational corporations and Hungarian businesses. I have led and built organizations, managed transformation and developed people, and I remain actively involved in coaching and mentoring.

Today, as CEO of a Hungarian fintech company, I experience first-hand the opportunities and challenges of smaller, innovative and fast-growing companies. Combined with my multinational background, this gives me a broad perspective ranging from large international corporations to local SMEs and startups. Community engagement and giving back, including charitable and non-profit initiatives, have also always been important to me. My previous AmCham Board and Second Vice President experience, together with a strong professional network, would allow me to contribute effectively from day one.

4. How have you been active in AmCham over the course of the last two years?

Over the past two years, my professional focus has been on building and growing my company, and I deliberately chose not to seek a Board position. I believe Board membership should mean active contribution, and I did not want to make that commitment unless I could dedicate the time and energy it deserves.

I remained connected to AmCham through events and by supporting its activities whenever possible. I can now dedicate more time again and would like to become actively involved, including in the new AmCham Digital Committee, where my fintech, digitalization and innovation experience is particularly relevant. 

CANDIDATE BIO

István Katona is CEO of Innopay, a Hungarian fintech company specializing in instant payment systems. He has 30 years of leadership experience in multinational and Hungarian companies. Previously, he was Managing Director of Celanese Hungary, leading a multicultural organization of 550+ employees, and held senior positions at ContiTech, EY and BMW.

István served on the AmCham Hungary Board of Directors from 2020 to 2022 and as Second Vice President from 2022 to 2024. He has also held board positions in other business and non-profit organizations. He remains actively involved in coaching and mentoring and is committed to supporting people, businesses and communities. His experience combines multinational leadership with the perspective of building and growing an innovative Hungarian fintech company.

He is passionate about competitiveness, innovation and developing people, with a strong commitment to giving back and creating opportunities for future generations.