Catalyst Canada Launches The Catalyst Canada Honours and Opens Nominations
for Champions of Women in Canadian Business

TORONTO , Feb. 9 /CNW/ - Catalyst Canada announces a call for nominations for The Catalyst Canada Honours ~ Celebrating Champions of Women in Business, which recognizes individuals who have made a critical and visible difference to women's advancement. Reflecting the crucial role played by senior executives in support of diversity, The Catalyst Canada Honours will pay tribute to the achievements of three champions - a CEO/Firm Leader, a Business Leader, and a Human Resources/Diversity Leader - who in their careers exemplify exceptional leadership around advancing women in their organizations, industries, and communities. With anticipation that these women and men serve as powerful role models, The Catalyst Canada Honours hopes to inspire men and women leaders to step up and become champions themselves.

The introduction of The Catalyst Canada Honours marks Catalyst's tenth anniversary in Canada . Both will be celebrated at a gala dinner chaired by Bill Downe, President and CEO, BMO Financial Group, on October 6, 2010 , in Toronto .

"BMO and Catalyst have a long-standing partnership that's built on a shared aspiration," said Mr. Downe . "The opportunity for us all to become personally involved and to benefit from advancing talented women to leadership is the reason behind The Catalyst Canada Honours."

"When Catalyst Canada opened its doors ten years ago, visible champions of women in business were rare," said Deborah Gillis , Vice President, North America , Catalyst. "Today the environment has shifted significantly. It's widely recognized that advancing women to senior executive and board positions is good for business, and champions are vital to this progress. In celebrating today's champions, we hope to inspire a robust pipeline of women and men leaders who will mentor, support, and promote the advancement of women in Canadian business."

Guidelines and Nominations

Catalyst Canada looks for leadership behaviours that have had a visible impact on the advancement of women both inside and outside the nominee's organization: motivation and understanding, mentorship and sponsorship; role modeling; work-life effectiveness; and influencing others. Nomination submissions are due March 23, 2010 .

ABOUT CATALYST

Founded in 1962, Catalyst is the leading nonprofit membership organization working globally with businesses and the professions to build inclusive workplaces and expand opportunities for women and business. With offices in the United States , Canada , and Europe , and more than 400 preeminent corporations as members, Catalyst is the trusted resource for research, information, and advice about women at work. Catalyst annually honors exemplary organizational initiatives that promote women's advancement with the Catalyst Award.

For further information: For inquiries about The Catalyst Canada Honours nomination process or to purchase tables for The Catalyst Canada Honours dinner, please contact Diana Nind at [email protected] or [phone] x 621. For media inquiries, please contact: Charmain Emerson, [email protected], [phone]; or Susan Nierenberg, [email protected], [phone]