7 inspiring quotes from DEI champions
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Have you ever had a manager, mentor, or sponsor who pushes you to be your best self or inspires you to build a better workplace for yourself and your colleagues? Catalyst Honours Champions are exceptional business leaders who lead with empathy, equity, and inclusion. Every year, candidates are nominated for the prestigious Catalyst Honours award in Canada—often by colleagues whose lives have been directly impacted by the nominee’s work. At the 2023 Catalyst Honours Conference & Dinner in Toronto, seven Champions received this award in a room filled with their biggest supporters—colleagues, bosses, direct reports, and peers among Canada’s leading industries. The event gathered nearly 1,000 people in person and online for a daytime Conference and Dinner ceremony. At their acceptance speeches, each Champion shared personal stories, moments of inspiration, and the “why” behind their commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, even amidst pushback. These quotes embody the essence of transformative leadership.
“We can hold ourselves accountable and those around us—and don’t be afraid to do that. We can be specific in setting the stage for future generations… Specificity is what we can all contribute to make change happen.” -- Jeahnette Cavaliere, Canada Country Manager, Wells Fargo and Firm Leader Champion
“All of you that are here tonight … are leaders in your own right. When you speak, people will listen. When you act, they will watch and more than likely follow your lead. And when you are silent and fail to act, people will also take notice and unfortunately assume that that is what is acceptable.” -- Caroline Gayle, Managing Director, Technology Financial Services, Accenture and Business Leader Champion
“The Champions that have been celebrated over the last 13 years...continue to be models of what is possible. And they ignited in me a purpose-driven desire to improve workplaces that work for all.” -- Mona Malone, Chief Human Resources Officer and Head, People, Culture & Brand, BMO Financial Group and DEI Leader Champion
“Early in my career, staying silent about the most vulnerable parts of my identity was the safe choice… My differences have, for the most part, always been invisible… This privilege is what afforded me the ability to stay silent and it’s that same privilege that compels me to do this work.” -- Taralyn Parr, Director of Diversity and Inclusion, McCarthy Tétrault LLP and DEI Leader Champion
“I believe in my core that we are each a catalyst for good.” -- Janine Tamboli, Director, Diversity and Inclusion, Maple Leaf Foods and DEI Leader Champion
“I could have been fired for being trans, and I was scared I was about to lose a 12-year career. Now, five years later, here I am not only being accepted by women as a woman...but also being shown as a role model. I can’t tell you how humbling that truly is.”-- Bobby Gale, Director, Analytical and Data Platforms, Loblaw Companies Ltd. and Next Generation Leader Champion
“We [must] create continuous spaces of safe learning to keep the conversation going… When people make mistakes, we call each other in, not call them out… Love needs to be at the forefront.”-- Tyjondah Kerr, Director, Program Development and Delivery – Community, Sustainability & Social Responsibility [Remarks delivered over video]