2011 Catalyst Annual Report

THE CATALYST CANADA HONOURS 2011The Catalyst Canada Honours celebratesindividual champions of women in businessby recognizing a Company/Firm Leader, aBusiness Leader, and a Human Resources/Diversity Leader whose careers demonstrateexceptional leadership in advancingwomen in their organizations, industries,and communities. The three categories ofchampions reflect the unique and criticalroles played by different types of leadersin advocating diversity. These remarkableindividuals serve as powerful role models forCanadian corporate leaders: the championsrecognize that what’s good for women isgood for business, and they are personallyand visibly committed to the advancement ofwomen.The dinner, held on October 18, 2011, atThe Fairmont Royal York in Toronto, was acelebration of three outstanding champions ofwomen in business. Dinner Chair Bill Downe,President and CEO, BMO Financial Group,welcomed more than 600 business leaders,including 60 CEOs, to the sold-out event, andreminded attendees that “making changehappen means taking action.” He presentedThe Catalyst Canada Honours to the 2011Champions: Monique F. Leroux, Chair of theBoard, President and CEO, Desjardins Group;Jennifer Tory, Regional President, GreaterToronto Region, RBC; and Michael Bach,Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion,KPMG LLP. During her keynote remarks, Deborah Gillis,Catalyst’s Senior Vice President, Membership& Global Operations, suggested thatattendees ask themselves, “looking back atyour career, what do you want to say you’vedone?” She proposed that one way to createa valuable legacy is to change the workplaceby sponsoring women to success, therebyincreasing market share and improving thebottom line. Ms. Gillis highlighted CatalystCensus results showing the lack of womenin Canadian executive suites and boards ofdirectors, and showed that sponsorship iscritical to improving this situation. “And nowit’s your turn be a sponsor, to be a champion…The night’s many speakers included, from left to right: James S. Turley, Chair of Catalyst’s Board of Directors and Chairman &CEO of Ernst & Young; Ilene H. Lang, President & CEO, Catalyst; Michael Bach; Jennifer Tory; Rick Waugh, Chair of CatalystCanada Advisory Board and President & CEO of Scotiabank; Monique F. Leroux; Catalyst Deborah Annual Gillis; Report and Bill 2011 Downe, | 34 President andCEO of BMO Financial Group and The Catalyst Canada Honours 2011 Chair