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Nominate a Champion

2025 nominations are closed.

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Catalyst Honours annually recognizes Champions who value and accelerate workplace inclusion for women across their intersecting identities. Champions are exceptional role models: they inspire other corporate leaders by intentionally and strategically creating inclusive workplaces where individuals—regardless of race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, or ability—can thrive.

Catalyst Honours recognizes individuals across these four categories:

Company/Firm Leader

is a CEO, president (in Canadian incorporated companies or subsidiaries in which there is no CEO), or managing partner. To be eligible, nominees must have a minimum of two women on their executive team, at least one of whom is living across a marginalized identity of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, and/or ability.

Business Leader

is an individual who plans, directs, and formulates policies; sets strategies; and provides the overall direction of a business unit, division, practice, or team.

Human Resources (HR) / Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) Leader

is an individual who is within the HR or D&I function at their organization. They could be at any level within their organization and have a direct mandate to focus on HR/D&I initiatives impacting employees across the organization or business unit.

Next Generation Leader

is an individual who is on the path to becoming a leader at their organization. This category can include those leading and engaged with ERGs.

Eligibility

Catalyst Honours Champions must:

  1. Be based in Canada and employed by a for-profit entity, including: a company, subsidiary, limited liability partnership, commercial crown corporation, or commercial co-operative.
  2. Have a role that fits within one of the four Champion categories at the time of nomination and the time of the public announcement of Champions in June.
  3. Have been in their current role, or a similar role, for a minimum of three years.
  4. Not be employed by an organization that is a finalist for the Catalyst Award in the same calendar year.
  5. Not be a previous Catalyst employee.
  6. Agree to the following if selected as a Champion:
  • Allow their name to be announced publicly.
  • Review a written profile prepared by Catalyst and participate in a video created to highlight their work.
  • Be available to attend and participate in the Catalyst Honours event in fall 2025.

Criteria for selection

The nominee has:

  1. Positively impacted the development and inclusion of women across their intersecting identities, with measurable results. This includes developing, spearheading, and/or sponsoring programs or initiatives that have had a marked impact on the experiences of equity and inclusion by women across the organization.
  2. Innovated and challenged the status quo of workplace inclusion, driving leading-edge efforts for their industry.
  3. Influenced others to support diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts at their organization and beyond.
  4. Demonstrated inclusive leadership behaviours, accountability, ownership, allyship, curiosity, humility, and courage, as defined by Catalyst research.

Nomination questions

Please answer the following questions to complete the nomination. If you have any questions, reach out to [email protected]

1. Tell us about the nominee. What inspires them to do the work they do?
2. Describe three programs, initiatives, or efforts the nominee has driven or participated in to create a workplace that is inclusive to women across all their intersecting identities. When answering this question, please share:

  • Details: Include program elements and the nominee’s role. For example, if they were involved in creating a sponsorship program, discuss their involvement in its ideation, development, execution, and whether they acted as an executive sponsor providing guidance and support.
  • Impact: Explain how these initiatives have led to significant positive changes within the organization, benefiting women and other marginalized individuals. Include qualitative and quantitative data where applicable.
  • Sustainability of Impact: Describe how the nominee’s efforts have been embedded in the organization to ensure lasting progress beyond their tenure.

3. Influencing others. Share how the nominee has successfully influenced other leaders and individuals to become champions of diversity and inclusion (D&I). Focus on specific instances and include:

  • Influence on Peers and Leaders: Describe how the nominee has inspired and motivated peers, senior leaders, and industry leaders to actively support and promote D&I initiatives. Provide specific examples of interactions, initiatives, or programs where their influence was evident.
  • Methods of Influence: Detail the strategies and approaches the nominee used to influence others. This could include mentorship, advocacy, training sessions, presentations, or policy changes. Highlight any innovative or particularly effective methods.
  • Impact and Reach: Explain the broader impact of their influence. Include qualitative and quantitative data where applicable, such as changes in D&I policies, increased engagement in D&I initiatives, or testimonials from those who were influenced. Illustrate how their influence has contributed to a more inclusive culture within the organization and beyond.

4. Navigating Barriers and Pushback. How has the nominee overcome barriers or addressed pushback to D&I efforts? Share some examples (big or small) that showcase their approach and the outcomes.

5. Inclusive Leadership. Describe the actions the nominee has taken to ensure their team or project is diverse, equitable, and inclusive. Address the following points:

  • For Team or Project Managers: Outline specific actions the nominee has taken to build and maintain a diverse, equitable, and inclusive team. Include representation data for the team, and if possible, provide three years of data showing the rate of change as well as the raw numbers. Discuss recruitment, retention, promotion practices, and any initiatives or programs aimed at enhancing diversity and inclusion within the team, and the impact that has been felt by the team.
  • For Non-People Managers: Provide an example of how the nominee has modeled inclusive behaviours within their sphere of influence. Describe specific actions they have taken to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in their daily interactions with team members and/or clients.

6. Provide two reference letters from individuals who are familiar with the nominee’s work. This can include direct reports, managers, and peers, as well as individuals outside the organization.
7. Provide any additional relevant information you were not able to include above.

8. Please attach any other supporting information you would like to include.

Process

  • Completed nomination forms must be submitted through an online form . Please ensure each question is answered.
  • Please submit only one nomination per organization.
  • Two reference letters must be provided and submitted through the online form. There is the option to attach a PDF to share any supplemental information.
  • Follow-up questions with the nominator or primary contact may be required to clarify aspects of the nomination.
  • Meetings and/or email correspondence with the nominee (after their selection as a Champion) will take place to build their public profile and discuss event details and participation.
  • The selected Champions will be featured in sessions and given an award at the Catalyst Honours Conference & Dinner, taking place in fall 2025.

All nominators will be contacted and informed if their nominee was selected prior to the public announcement in summer 2025.

Key dates

  • Nomination submission deadline: Thursday, February 13, 2025
  • Champions announced: June 2025
  • 2025 Catalyst Honours Conference & Dinner: October/November 2025