With more than 25 years of expertise, Katelijne De Backer has worked at the intersection of business and culture, and is a recognized leader in the art world. Katelijne was instrumental in the creation of one of the world's most influential contemporary art fairs, has worked hand-in-hand with artists, sponsors, and dozens of the world's premier international galleries. She consults, manages and mentors in the arts.

Katelijne left her native Belgium for London in 1987, where she joined MTV Europe and developed and produced the highly regarded weekly alternative music shows 120 Minutes and Alternative Nation.

She moved to New York City in 1997 where she became the Director of The Armory Show in 2000. Under her direction and in collaboration with the owners, Matthew Marks, Paul Morris, Colin de Land and Pat Hearn, the fair grew from a small alternative art show into an international contemporary art fair. The Armory Show is, to this day, still one of the most important events in the international art world.

Following her tenure at The Armory Show, she has managed several contemporary art fairs and was the Managing Director of Lehmann Maupin gallery. Katelijne is a board member of the Children’s Museum of the Arts as well as of the contemporary American dance company, Monica Bill Barnes & Company. She serves on the Art Advisory Committee of the King Baudouin Foundation United States.

She has taught classes and visited as a guest speaker at Sotheby's Institute of Art, Christie's Education, and Purchase College, State University of New York.

In 2019 Katelijne founded KaDeBe Consulting to offer her creative and organizational expertise to a broader market.