Catalyst Breakout Program award winners

Inspiring inspiration

Catalyst is proud to recognize organizations’ innovative approaches to creating inclusive workplaces for all employees. We honored our first Catalyst Breakout Program award winners in 2025. See below for descriptions of each winning program.

2026

Humana

Humana’s Military-Connected Talent Pathway is a comprehensive program to attract, retain, and support military-connected associates. The Pathway focuses on the unique needs of transitioning service members and active-duty military spouses, who face a disproportionate rate of unemployment. As part of the program, military personnel can enter their military job code on the organization’s career site, and the system will match them to open positions that align with their skills and experience. Trained recruiters provide specialized support to ensure effective integration and support for candidates. Recruiters also serve as internal advocates for associates’ career journeys by educating teams on the value of military talent and removing barriers to success. Through Salute, Humana’s military-focused Network Resource Group, military-connected associates are introduced to Welcome Ambassadors with a similar military background who support with onboarding, navigating the organization, and integrating into company culture. Dedicated Mentoring Circles also provide opportunities for new hires to share experiences as they transition to civilian employment.

Since 2011, Humana has hired more than 6,000 military-connected associates (69% women), who as of 2025 represent 4% of Humana’s workforce.

Specialisterne

Specialisterne’s Neuroinclusive Workplace Support Coaching Program builds on its Neurodiversity Hiring Initiatives. The organization recognized the need to support neurodivergent employees in their careers once they’ve been hired. As a result, the Neuroinclusive Workplace Support Coaching Program was developed to provide tailored support for neurodivergent employees and their managers. The program extends the traditional coaching model to neurodivergent employees and challenges the misconception that workplace accommodations are limited to modifications in the environment. There are two approaches: coaching is provided to an individual employee and/or their manager in response to specific performance or behavioral issues, or companies can proactively provide coaching to all employees who self-identify as neurodivergent and think they would benefit from individual support. The flexible, one-on-one coaching sessions are tailored to meet the needs of each participant. The sessions may focus on executive functioning and organization, navigating sensory needs and accommodations, communication and interpersonal dynamics, and professional development and self-advocacy, for example.

Specialisterne has worked with over 50 companies, providing support to more than 720 employees. For example, in its partnership with KPMG, Specialisterne has conducted 448 hours of direct coaching with more than 60 employees; KPMG employees hired through Specialisterne’s Neurodiversity Hiring Initiatives have an 89% retention rate.

Learn more about Specialisterne's Workplace Support Coaching Program.

2025

Uber's uSteer

Uber’s uSteer is a globally scaled talent acquisition channel designed to create corporate career pathways for drivers and couriers on the Uber platform. Recruiters identify uSteer candidates across all global mega-regions within their applicant tracking system and connect them with corporate job openings. Once drivers or couriers apply, recruiters provide them with support such as giving them a full picture of what a career at Uber looks like and helping them prepare for interviews. Since the fourth quarter of 2022, the program has resulted in over 600 hires, 36% of whom are women and 44% of whom are from underrepresented populations.

Wells Fargo's Neurodiversity Program

The Wells Fargo Neurodiversity Program launched in April 2020 in Enterprise Technology. The program has successfully established meaningful full-time employment opportunities by providing an inclusive, considerate, and accommodating skills-based hiring model that is accessible by design. The program is structured with a deep understanding of the unique challenges and barriers that neurodiverse individuals may face in traditional hiring processes. It fosters an environment of safety and trust through delivery of interactive workshops and team-based problem-solving, which allows candidates to showcase their talent in a more comfortable environment and leads to a more comprehensive assessment by hiring managers. In addition, the program delivers education, professional support, and enablement programs to enrich the lives and work experience of employees, ensuring that neurodiverse talents are not just hired but are also nurtured for growth and success within the organization. Nine of 15 core business divisions across 12 unique job titles participate in the program, and as of the end of 2023 recruits had a 97% retention rate. In 2023 alone, 130 new employees were hired, 57% of whom were from marginalized races and ethnicities and 34% of whom were women.

The Menopause Foundation of Canada, Sun Life Menopause Works Here™ Partnership

The goal of this Menopause Foundation of Canada (MFC) campaign is to raise awareness about menopause, a critical part of women's health, and identify ways to better support menopausal women in the workplace. Companies are losing out on employees’ skills by not supporting them through all stages of their lives, including perimenopause, menopause, and post-menopause. Built upon results of landmark research on menopause in the Canadian workplace, the Menopause Works Here™ campaign champions menopause-inclusive workplaces in Canada and encourages employers to demonstrate their support for the well-being of employees experiencing menopause. Sun Life was the first organization to join the campaign and is a key partner of MFC, sponsoring research as well as the creation of the core free resource, the Menopause Inclusive Playbook, which provides employers with a practical, five-step guide to inspire them to take action. Organizations that join have access to a number of free resources, including the Playbook, and commit to take action in supporting women to thrive both professionally and personally.

Read more about the initiatives >