Catalyst Names Norie Campbell, Michael Cherny, Alison Jeffrey, and Sandra Stuart 2019 Catalyst Canada Honours Champions

Four Champions to be Celebrated at 10^th Anniversary Catalyst Canada Honours Dinner Gala

TORONTO, June 25, 2019 /CNW/ - Catalyst announced today its 2019 Catalyst Canada Honours Champions, four exceptional corporate leaders who have made transformational contributions to their companies by advancing women and advocating for inclusive workplace cultures. These Champions will receive their awards at the 2019 Catalyst Canada Honours Dinner on Monday, November 4, at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel in Toronto. This year's celebration marks 10 years of the prestigious award and event.

The 2019 Catalyst Canada Honours Champions are:

Company/Firm Leader:

• Sandra Stuart, Group General Manager, President & CEO, HSBC Bank Canada

Business Leader

• Norie Campbell, Group Head, Customer & Colleague Experience, TD Bank Group
  
  
• Alison Jeffrey, Senior Adviser, Strategic Initiatives & Client Development Coaching, Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP

Emerging Leader:

• Michael Cherny, Chief of Staff, Audit Public Practice, Deloitte

"These remarkable business leaders have had a powerful impact on the careers of countless women across Canada and beyond. They are true role models who embody the gold standard for corporate leadership pursuing workplace gender equality," says Tanya van Biesen, Executive Director, Canada, Catalyst. "Their assertive, intentional actions have prioritized strategies that advance women and have enabled meaningful progress toward the goal of widespread workplace inclusion."

"We know diverse and inclusive companies are more successful. That's why attracting and retaining the best female talent, supporting and enabling their development, and advancing them into key leadership roles is a top priority for us at RBC," said Dave McKay, President and CEO, RBC and Dinner Chair, Catalyst Canada Honours. "The inspiring group of leaders being honoured by Catalyst all understand that inclusive organizations accelerate innovation and growth, and they're backing it up with a strong commitment to action. Congratulations to this year's inclusion champions."

Since 2010, the Catalyst Canada Honours has annually celebrated individuals who advance women and advocate for inclusive workplaces in Canadian business. Nominees are evaluated in a rigorous process. The 2019 Champions exemplify Catalyst research findings linking diverse, inclusive workplaces to innovation, team citizenship, productivity, and stronger business results.

About the 2019 Catalyst Canada Honours Champions:

• Sandra Stuart (Company/Firm Leader Champion) is a dynamic and successful business leader who has advocated for diversity and inclusion at HSBC Bank Canada since joining in 1982. She is a passionate proponent of gender-balanced workplaces, in part as a result of her experiences working in other countries. Under her leadership as Chair of the Diversity Council at HSBC Canada, gender equity at both the executive and Board levels was achieved in 2013 and has since been maintained. Thanks to her input, all leaders at HSBC in Canada have achieved, or have been challenged to achieve, gender balance within their own teams of direct reports. A committed mentor and sponsor of emerging talent, Sandra champions stretch assignments and promotions to international roles.
  
  
• Norie Campbell (Business Leader Champion) is a passionate and long-time supporter of inclusion and diversity, both core values at TD Bank. She embeds these priorities into her initiatives, policies, and business practices at every opportunity. Under her leadership, TD has created numerous programs that have attracted, retained, and promoted diverse leaders across the enterprise. Her commitment to these causes is grounded in her belief that TD's future success depends on the engagement of diverse colleagues, including women from all backgrounds and at all stages of their careers. Norie currently chairs TD Bank's global Inclusion and Diversity Leadership Council, and previously led TD's Women in Leadership Network, which grew under her direction to include nearly 15,000 online members in 30 chapters across North America.
  
  
• Alison Jeffrey (Business Leader Champion) is a respected senior leader at Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP. A consistent champion of inclusion, Alison has been both insightful and nimble in her creation and execution of initiatives designed to ensure the retention and promotion of women lawyers both within Blake and at client companies and firms. In 2013 she helped launch the innovative internal development program "Preparing for Rain," designed to provide networking and practical business development training for women lawyers. She has played a leadership role in both the creation and execution of the program, providing training and ongoing mentorship to its participants.
  
  
• Michael Cherny (Emerging Leader Champion) is a trailblazing advocate and driving force for a more caring and thoughtful corporate culture at Deloitte. He has led several initiatives aimed at showcasing both the work of marginalized groups and Deloitte's inclusive culture. His motto, "Your difference is the difference," is now widely used internally at Deloitte, setting a tone of inclusion and encouraging employees to celebrate one other. Michael is known for his respectful communication style, which has enabled him to effectively lead discussions with individuals across all levels of the firm, challenging assumptions without creating conflict.

The 2019 Catalyst Canada Honours Dinner will follow the 2019 Catalyst Canada Honours Conference, a dynamic opportunity for business leaders across the country to discuss best practices in inclusive leadership initiatives and learn strategies to advance sustainable change in corporate Canada.

For more information, visit: https://www.catalyst.org/solution/catalyst-canada-honours/

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. 

SOURCE Catalyst Canada

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