Catalyst CEO Champions For Change Initiative Launches on International Women’s Day (Media Release)

More than 40 high-profile CEOs and top leaders commit to continuing to accelerate diversity, inclusion and gender equality

NEW YORK, N.Y. (March 8, 2017) – A transformational diversity and inclusion initiative launched today called Catalyst CEO Champions For Change. The effort, developed by Catalyst – a global thought leader and partner in accelerating the progress of women at work for more than 50 years – recognizes CEOs and senior leaders who support and drive diversity and inclusion within their organizations.

As a part of Catalyst CEO Champions For Change, more than 40 high-profile CEOs and top industry leaders—many from the Catalyst Board of Directors—have pledged to continue to drive change for gender equality in the workplace. Founding members include CEOs and top leaders from: 3M, ABB Ltd., Accenture, Aramark, Avon Products, Inc., BMO U.S., Campbell Soup Company, CH2M Hill Companies Ltd., Colgate-Palmolive Company, Cylon Capital, Debevoise & Plimpton LLP, Dell Inc., Deloitte, DuPont, EY, Genpact, IBM Corporation, Kellogg Company, KeyCorp, KPMG International, McDonald’s Corporation, Mondelēz International, Nationwide, Norton Rose Fulbright US LLP, PepsiCo, Inc., Pfizer Inc., Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP, Pitney Bowes Inc., PricewaterhouseCoopers, Rockwell Automation, Royal DSM, Sealed Air Corporation, Sidley Austin LLP, Sodexo, Target Corporation, The Boston Consulting Group, The Coca-Cola Company, The Hartford Financial Services Group, The Procter & Gamble Company, Unilever, UPS, Voya Financial, Walmart Stores, Inc., and Xerox Corporation.

“We are incredibly proud to stand with these CEOs, leaders and companies. They are already outstanding champions of gender equality and inclusion. Now they are stepping up and inspiring all of us to do even more, together,” said Deborah Gillis, President and CEO, Catalyst. “In a divided world, inclusion at work matters more than ever. These 40+ companies represent more than 9 million employees and more than $1.5 trillion dollars in revenue globally. The positive ripple effect will be tremendous in helping to build workplaces where everyone has a fair chance to succeed.”

Although progress has been made, there is still much work to be done. Only 25% of S&P 500 executives and only about 20% of S&P 500 board directors are women. The Catalyst CEO Champions For Change are not only making bold organizational and personal commitments to continue to accelerate inclusion, but they will also transparently report on their companies’ collective progress. Read the full Catalyst CEO Champions For Change pledge and find out more about joining the initiative at www.catalyst.org/Champions.

Catalyst CEO Champions for Change will be celebrated this evening at the 2017 Catalyst Awards Conference and Dinner in New York City. For 30 years, the prestigious Catalyst Award has recognized exceptional efforts that help advance women in business. This year, initiatives from 3M, BMO Financial Group and Rockwell Automation are being honored.

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About Catalyst

Founded in 1962, Catalyst is the leading nonprofit organization accelerating progress for women through workplace inclusion. With operations in the United States, Canada, Europe, India, Australia, and Japan, and more than 800 supporting organizations, Catalyst is the trusted resource for research, information, and advice about women at work.