The 2024 Catalyst Awards: The Catalyst Effect in Action

On 12 March, over 2,000 people gathered in midtown Manhattan and online for the 2024 Catalyst Awards Conference and Dinner.

On 12 March, over 2,000 people—including CEOs, business executives, entrepreneurs, academics, and DEI professionals—gathered in midtown Manhattan and online for the 2024 Catalyst Awards Conference and Dinner, demonstrating that creating workplaces that work for women—and everyone—continues to be a top business priority.  

The 2024 Awards was an exciting opportunity to see this year’s theme—the Catalyst Effect—in action: a group of individuals drawn together by their commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion and respectful and rewarding work environments collectively using their influence to create a massive wave of change.  

This year’s Awards was also Catalyst’s first time to include a land acknowledgement recognizing Indigenous Peoples as the traditional stewards of this land, movingly delivered by Elisa Leary, Senior Vice President, People & Culture, Catalyst. 

Watch our sizzle reel to view highlights of the day, demonstrating what our community experienced together and the many critical topics we dove into. 

The morning’s events were headlined by the showstopping Caroline Wanga, President & CEO of Essence Ventures and Co-Founder of WangaWoman. Caroline talked about her experience finding her own authentic self and emphasized the importance of centering corporate DEI initiatives around humans and humanity.  

Anna Manuzzi, Senior Associate, Supporter Success EMEA, Catalyst shares her favorite Caroline Wanga teachings. 

The event closed with a lively interactive multi-generational panel focused on the impact Gen Z is having on the workplace and DEI overall. Victoria Kuketz, Director of Supporter Success, Canada, Catalyst shares the top three things she learned from these leaders. 

The day was filled with powerhouse speakers from Hillary Rodham Clinton, former US Secretary of State, US Senator, and First Lady to Reshma Saujani, CEO & Founder of Moms First and DEI practitioner Vernā Myers. All shared personal stories of struggle, discrimination, and progress.  

Joylene Ceballos, Director, US Supporter Success, Catalyst shares how these personal stories have impacted her and how we can all leverage them in our work to be more inclusive.  

Gender partnership and the importance of supporting one another, especially through sponsorship and mentorship, were also themes echoed throughout the conference. 

Derrick Brown-Ritchel, Director, US Supporter Success, Catalyst talks about the ripple effect that women leaders can have throughout an organization. 

You are the Catalyst Effect! As our community demonstrates, together we are creating a wave of systemic change for more diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplaces.  

See more reflections at catalyst.org/awards. 

Want more? Here are three things you can do right now.

Catch more insights on our Catalyst Awards page.
Join us on 11 March 2025 for next year’s Conference and Dinner.
Do you have a successful gender equity and DEI program? Apply for the Catalyst Award by 10 May 2024.

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