Catalyst announces four new members of Board of Directors
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Catalyst is pleased to announce the appointment of four accomplished business leaders to our Board of Directors. Each brings valuable experience and a strong commitment to advancing workplace inclusion worldwide.
Brendan Bechtel – Chairman and CEO, Bechtel Corporation
Brendan Bechtel became CEO of Bechtel in 2016 and chairman in 2017, after serving as president and COO. Previously, Brendan led Bechtel’s global energy business and the Liquefied Natural Gas business line, and held various leadership roles on major projects across North America, Australia, and Africa. As the fifth generation of the Bechtel family to lead the company, he began working at Bechtel during high school summers. He holds a bachelor’s degree in geography from Middlebury College and an MBA and an MSE in construction engineering and management from Stanford University. Brendan serves on the boards of the Business Roundtable and the Fremont Group, and is a trustee of the National Geographic Society and the Center for Strategic and International Studies.
“Expanding pathways for women to enter engineering and construction and advance their careers is how we build stronger teams to unlock our industry’s full potential. I’m honored to join Catalyst’s Board of Directors and help accelerate progress for women through workplace inclusion.” - Brendan Bechtel
Peyton Howell – Chief Executive Officer, Parexel
Peyton Howell has over 30 years of experience in pharma services and the healthcare industry. Before becoming CEO, Peyton served as Chief Operating and Growth Officer and previously was Chief Commercial and Strategy Officer. Prior to Parexel, she held senior leadership roles at AmerisourceBergen (now Cencora) and was a founder and President of Lash Group. Peyton serves on the Boards of Tandem Diabetes Care and the Association of Clinical Research Organizations (ACRO). She holds a Master of Healthcare Administration from The Ohio State University and a BA in Health Communications from the University of Illinois.
“I'm honored to join the Board of Directors for Catalyst, a leader and champion in accelerating progress for women in the workplace. As partners in the development of new medicines, Parexel has experienced first-hand how inclusion fosters innovation and drives better decision-making, which ultimately accelerates the delivery of life-changing treatments to patients. I look forward to collaborating with this distinguished Board and organization to further inspire and develop the next generation of leaders.” - Peyton Howell
Michele Kang – CEO, Kynisca
Michele Kang is a business leader, investor, and philanthropist known for her transformative work in women’s sports and health information technology. As CEO of Kynisca, she leads the first global multi-team organization focused on professionalizing women’s football and is the majority owner of the Washington Spirit, OL Lyonnes, and London City Lionesses. In 2025, Michele and U.S. Soccer launched the Kang Women’s Institute through her groundbreaking commitment to advance research, health, and performance standards for women and girls in the sport. Previously, she founded Cognosante, revolutionizing U.S. healthcare technology for federal agencies and state programs. Michele serves on several boards, including The Society of the Four Arts and the University of Chicago. Her trailblazing efforts have earned her numerous honors, including ESPN’s Sports Philanthropist of the Year and the 2025 Billie Jean King Leadership Award. She holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from The University of Chicago and a master’s degree in public and private management from Yale School of Management.
“Catalyst is a powerful force in advancing women’s leadership and I’m honored to join this Board at such an important moment. Throughout my career, I’ve seen how inclusive cultures open the door to stronger ideas, better decisions, and meaningful progress. I look forward to partnering with Catalyst and my fellow Board members to accelerate progress for women around the world and to help create workplaces and societies where women can lead, thrive, and shape the future.” - Michele Kang
Timothy (Tim) J. Walsh – Chair and CEO, KPMG LLP
Tim Walsh is Chair and CEO of KPMG LLP, leading over 36,000 partners and professionals across the U.S. and serving on KPMG’s Global Board. With more than 33 years at KPMG, Tim has held several key leadership roles, most recently serving as national managing partner, Audit operations; he also previously served as an SEC Reviewing Partner. He is active in the nonprofit sector, serving on several boards, and has received honors such as the NACD’s 100 most influential leaders in the boardroom, Accounting Today’s Top 100 Most Influential People and Forbes’ Best-in-State CPAs. He holds a BS in Accounting from the University of Scranton and an MBA from Columbia Business School; is a licensed CPA in New York and Rhode Island; and is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.
“Catalyst has long been at the forefront of driving inclusion for women in the workplace, and I am honored to join its Board of Directors. Building inclusive workplaces where women can thrive at every level is how professional services firms like ours create stronger teams, deliver better outcomes for clients and drive sustainable growth across the industry.” - Tim Walsh
These appointments reflect Catalyst’s ongoing commitment to partnering with leaders who share our mission of building workplaces that work for women and for everyone.