The glass ceiling remains an undeniable reality in workplaces worldwide, with invisible biases continuing to hinder women's career advancement. Catalyst, a global nonprofit organization that has championed workplace gender equality for over half a century, is driving data-informed corporate strategies to create truly inclusive work environments for all.
Since the 1960s, Catalyst has stood at the forefront of advancing women and workplace inclusion. Its mission is to create workplaces that work for women—and everyone. The organization accelerates organizational performance and women's advancement through:
- Research-based insights: Investigating root causes of workplace gender disparities to provide scientific decision-making frameworks.
- High-impact conferences: Convening industry leaders and experts to discuss best practices and innovative solutions.
- Proven solutions: Delivering actionable tools and strategies for effective organizational change.
- Unparalleled support: Offering customized consulting and guidance to ensure successful transformation.
As a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization, Catalyst's global influence continues to expand.
The following metrics demonstrate Catalyst's significant achievements in the past year:
- Knowledge creation: Published 138 new research reports, practical tools, and in-depth blog posts contributing valuable insights to the field.
- Community building: Engaged over 15,000 participants through virtual and in-person roundtables and flagship events.
- Future insights: More than 80,000 individuals utilized research and tools exploring future work models.
- Global research: Surveyed 25,000 employees across 14 countries to assess how shifting work models impact different groups.
- Empowerment initiatives: The MARC (Men Advocating Real Change) program engaged 50,000 learners and advocates from 200 global companies.
- Leadership commitment: 80+ "Catalyst CEO Champions For Change" representing 11 million employees and $3 trillion in revenue.
Drawing on six decades of research and practice, Catalyst has identified three key levers to enhance organizational performance and workplace progress:
Challenge: Women—particularly at mid-career stages and from underrepresented groups—face persistent promotion barriers including unconscious bias, limited development opportunities, and unsupportive work environments.
Solution: Removing these barriers strengthens leadership pipelines and talent retention while building future-ready teams.
Key initiatives:
- Tailored leadership development programs
- Comprehensive mentoring systems
- Sponsorship programs connecting high-potential women with senior advocates
- Flexible work arrangements supporting work-life integration
Challenge: Gender equality requires shared responsibility, yet male engagement often remains limited.
Solution: Establishing mutual accountability through education and allyship development.
Key initiatives:
- The MARC program for male allyship development
- Organization-wide gender equality training
- Leadership dialogues convening men and women executives
Challenge: Many organizations struggle with psychological safety and equitable support systems.
Solution: Intersectional approaches to inclusion that address unique employee experiences.
Key initiatives:
- Comprehensive inclusion assessments
- Psychological safety training
- Holistic well-being programs
- Employee resource group support
With presence across 42 industries and 14 countries through offices in Europe, Canada, and the United States, Catalyst delivers regionally tailored solutions for workplace inclusion.
- Europe: Since 2006, Catalyst Europe has provided customized solutions from Zurich.
- Canada: The Toronto office has championed workplace equity since 2000.
- United States: Founded in 1962, the original office continues pioneering research and solutions.
Catalyst's work demonstrates that workplace gender equality is achievable through evidence-based strategies. By eliminating barriers, fostering collaboration, and building inclusive cultures, organizations can unlock women's full potential while creating better workplaces for all.
Moving forward, Catalyst will continue leveraging its expertise and global network to lead the future of workplace equality—collecting data, identifying best practices, and providing customized solutions to help organizations achieve lasting gender parity.
