Catalyst CEO Search Underway to Continue 55-Year Legacy of Accelerating Positive Change for Women in Business (Media Release)

New York City, N.Y. (February 5, 2018)—Catalyst, a global nonprofit focused on empowering and accelerating women in business, announced today that its Board of Directors has initiated a search for a new President and CEO. The announcement comes as Catalyst’s current President and CEO, Deborah Gillis, prepares to step down at the end of March 2018.

Catalyst ignites leaders to drive change in their own companies and join together in a powerful movement to build workplaces that work for women. It helps organizations knock down roadblocks—empowering both women and men to work together to create real change through pioneering thought leadership, insights and tools that help women advance and succeed.

“It’s been the privilege of my life to serve as Catalyst’s fourth President and CEO. After a dozen years with Catalyst, the time now feels right for me to move home to Canada to be closer to my family and continue my mission-driven work there,” said Gillis. “It’s difficult to leave, but I do so with full confidence that Catalyst’s mission is more urgent and more achievable than ever. Progress has been stalled for far too long, but there’s real opportunity to make a quantum leap ahead for women at work. Catalyst has an absolutely critical role to play in this workplace transformation, and I believe now is the perfect moment for a new leader to seize this momentum and take Catalyst forward into the future.”

Headquartered in New York and operating globally, Catalyst works with more than 800 companies to drive positive change for millions of women in workplaces around the world. The organization is led by a distinguished Board of Directors that includes CEOs and senior executives from 37 world-leading companies and is chaired by Cathy Engelbert, CEO, Deloitte US. Catalyst’s Board has appointed a search committee to lead the succession process, and Ms. Gillis will remain in her role over the next two months to help ensure a smooth transition.

“We’ve seen so much progress and positive change to advance women and diverse groups in the workplace. Deborah’s legacy as a catalyst for this change will continue to open doors for generations to come,” said Engelbert. “During this transition period while Deborah’s successor is identified, Catalyst will remain focused on our strategy to lead change.”

The search for Catalyst’s fifth president and CEO is already underway; interested candidates may contact [email protected].

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About Catalyst

Catalyst is a global nonprofit working with some of the world’s most powerful CEOs and leading companies to help build workplaces that work for women. Founded in 1962, Catalyst drives change with pioneering research, practical tools, and proven solutions to accelerate and advance women into leadership—because progress for women is progress for everyone.