Gender Representation

Find out how many women and people of color sat on US boards in 2016.

The Rockefeller Foundation has granted Catalyst $100,000 to expand our Catalyst Women On Board™ initiative throughout the United States. This generous support will help Catalyst shine a light on the lagging representation of women on boards and throughout executive ranks—which is widely recognized as a global economic imperative—as well as showcase a solution.

Simply put, gender diversity more accurately reflects the world we're dealing in. When you embrace it, you gain insight into your clients' thinking, you develop better relationships, and you build a better company.

Find out how many women and men held seats on US boards in 2015.

Toronto (June 7, 2016)—Canada continues to lag behind other developed nations when it comes to women on boards, and there is a growing urgency to turn the tide. With slow […]

Toronto (le 7 juin 2016)— Le Canada continue d’accuser un retard par rapport à d’autres pays développés en matière de représentation des femmes au sein des conseils d’administration, et il […]

This report was commissioned by the Government of Ontario to examine “comply or explain” securities law rule amendments.

Catalyst, the global expert on accelerating progress for women through workplace inclusion, today announces the inaugural class of its U.S. Women On BoardTM initiative to address the lagging representation of women on boards and the increasing demand for diversity in corporate boardrooms. This U.S.-based, two-year program pairs CEO/board chairs who serve as mentors and sponsors with CEO-endorsed board candidates.

Catalyst, the global expert on accelerating progress for women through workplace inclusion, has received a proclamation from the New York City Council for its efforts to promote the advancement and equality of women in the workplace, including support of legislation requiring the Department of Small Business Services (SBS) to produce a voluntary survey to be distributed to all prospective city contractors that would collect racial, ethnic and gender information about their executives and board members.

Sandra Stuart reflects on her time with the Women On Board® mentorship program.

Nearly a century after women gained the right to vote in the United States, their economic equality and full participation in society remains elusive. There is a significant gender-based pay gap, a glass ceiling, and a lack of basic policies to support women in the workforce. This must change.

Catalyst Canada Executive Director Alex Johnston participated in a roundtable hosted by the Ontario Securities Commission (OSC) to discuss the first review of TSX-listed issuers since the implementation of new disclosure requirements regarding the representation of women on boards and in senior management.

This month, Sarah Raiss tells why networking is so important to becoming known by those who can help you get onto a board.

According to recent Catalyst data, women hold only 23 (4.6%) of CEO positions at S&P 500 companies and 19.2% of board seats at US stock index companies. In 2013 and 2012, one-tenth of Fortune 500 companies had zero women on their boards. Meanwhile, the gender wage gap has barely budged in a decade.

In January we heard from Sarah Raiss about how she helped her Women On Board®mentee, Sandra Stuart, craft a more effective board resume. This month, Sandra shares more of what she’s learned from Sarah and Women On Board® about making sure your new-and-improved profile gets seen.

Recent data from Catalyst shows that women of color make up only 16.5% of the S&P 500 labor force. And as job level increases, the number of women of color decreases drastically—especially at the executive and C-suite levels. As a call to action, Catalyst will host the Women of Color Summit, gathering global experts to provide fresh thinking and spark change for women of color.