Dell today announced a $1 million donation to Catalyst, a leading nonprofit membership organization expanding opportunities for women and business, to help create the Catalyst Center for Career Pathway Research. The multiyear commitment contributes to Catalyst’s Changing Workplaces, Changing Lives campaign, which aims to boost Catalyst’s work in workplace inclusion.
The funds will help establish an endowment to support new, larger research panels and data sets in regions around the world — tracking an array of previously unstudied trends and demographics about women’s careers. The research will provide a foundation for fact-based information to both document and measure change. It will also provide funding to attract and develop the best research talent with endowed fellowship positions. The center will convene thought leaders, researchers and practitioners in this area to develop practical strategies for eliminating gender disparities.
By helping businesses develop and retain talented women, Catalyst and its supporters believe they can accelerate the momentum of women’s advancement in the business world. Dell’s support will aid Catalyst in its initiative to drive sustainable global impact.
Dell has a long-standing relationship with Catalyst and has worked with the group since 2004 to leverage Catalyst’s expertise, benchmark best practices and fulfill a shared mission to build inclusive working environments for women. The company and Catalyst began discussing the Center for Career Pathway Research last year. Dell’s donation was pledged in early 2012 and will be paid over five years (2012-2016).
Dell supports and promotes the idea that empowering women in business will lead to greater prosperity for all. The company’s contribution to the advancement of women is an ongoing commitment, with many of programs spanning several years to date. Dell’s women’s initiatives include:
• Women in Search of Excellence (Wise): A Dell Employee Resource Group that represents a community of team members whose interest aligns with women’s issues, rooted in advancing the role of women in the Dell workforce.
• Women Powering Business: A company initiative that strives to help women entrepreneurs and technology leaders expand their networks while offering capabilities to help them use technology to do more.
• Dell Women’s Entrepreneur Network (DWEN): As part of the Women Powering Business program, DWEN brings together women business owners from around the world to share best practices, build business opportunities through collaboration and access new resources. Now in its third year, the network provides hundreds of business owners with actionable advice and tools. The cornerstone of the program is an annual
• Dell-sponsored event that spotlights female entrepreneurial success and creates an atmosphere where women can connect with one another, share best practices, build business opportunities, and recognize women’s influence in business and technology.
“Catalyst’s overall mission helps Dell live out our promise of giving women the opportunities they need to succeed professionally and personally, and stimulate their advancement in the working world,” said Lisa Mink, executive director, Global Diversity & Inclusion at Dell. “Our commitment and donation will allow Catalyst to continue to thrive and will help give women in businesses across the world the power to do and achieve more.”
Founded in 1962, Catalyst is the leading nonprofit membership organization expanding opportunities for women and business. With offices in the United States, Canada, Europe and India, and more than 500 preeminent corporations as members, Catalyst is the trusted resource for research, information and advice about women at work.
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