CIBC, JDE Peet’s, KPMG, McCarthy Tétrault, and Sanofi have been named recipients of the 2025 Catalyst Award, recognizing their initiatives to increase representation and foster inclusion for women in the workplace. The global non-profit Catalyst announced the winners Thursday, citing their progress in driving gender equity within their industries.
The award, to be presented at the Catalyst Awards Conference & Dinner on March 11, 2025, highlights strategies implemented by the companies that led to measurable improvements in gender diversity at all levels of leadership.
“These Catalyst Award-winning initiatives prove what is possible when organizations prioritize gender equity and inclusion in their workplaces,” said Jennifer McCollum, President and CEO of Catalyst.
CIBC: Leading with Inclusion
CIBC’s initiative, “Leading with Inclusion,” focuses on integrating inclusion as a core business strategy. Between 2019 and 2023, women’s representation in senior management globally rose by seven percentage points, reaching nearly 40%. The initiative also increased representation of women of colour and other underrepresented groups in financial services.
“Inclusion is a cornerstone of our bank,” said Victor Dodig, CIBC’s President and CEO. “This award is a testament to our commitment to building an inclusive workplace and advancing opportunities across our industry.”
JDE Peet’s: TrueYOU
Global coffee and tea company JDE Peet’s launched “TrueYOU: Standing Together in Our Differences,” which improved women’s representation across leadership tiers. From 25% in 2019, women now make up 36.4% of the Executive Committee, 41.5% of the Global Leadership Team, and 38.5% of the Board of Directors.
“We’re creating a future that authentically serves, reflects, and embraces everyone,” said Rafa Oliveira, CEO of JDE Peet’s.
KPMG: KPMG Accelerate
KPMG LLP, a U.S.-based audit, tax, and advisory firm, increased women’s representation at nearly every level through its “KPMG Accelerate” program. Women now comprise 60% of the firm’s C-suite, up from 22.2% in 2014, and hold 33.3% of board seats.
“By recognizing and celebrating the contributions of our workforce, we create a culture that lifts everyone,” said Paul Knopp, KPMG LLP Chair and CEO.
McCarthy Tétrault: Inclusion Now
Canada’s McCarthy Tétrault implemented “Inclusion Now,” focusing on recruitment, retention, and advancement of diverse talent. The initiative boosted women’s representation within the firm to 62.6% in 2024, up from 51.3% in 2019.
“Equity, diversity, and inclusion will continue to be a key part of our identity,” said Dave Leonard, CEO of McCarthy Tétrault.
Sanofi: Diversity Edge
Global healthcare company Sanofi’s “Diversity Edge” initiative increased the percentage of women in senior leadership roles to 45%. Women now make up 42% of executives, an 8.6-point increase since the program’s inception.
“It’s an honour to receive the Catalyst Award,” said Paul Hudson, Sanofi CEO. “While there is still work to be done, I am confident we are headed in the right direction.”
The Catalyst Awards, first presented in 1987, have recognized 115 initiatives at 102 organizations worldwide. The 2025 ceremony will take place in person at the New York Hilton Midtown and online, providing a platform for companies to share their strategies for creating inclusive workplaces.
Catalyst, founded in 1962, works with multinational corporations to advance women into leadership roles, emphasizing that progress for women benefits everyone.
