Advancing women in workplace: Barilla wins 2021 Catalyst Award
26 January 2021
New York, January 26 – 2021 marks another significant milestone in the Diversity and Inclusion journey of the Barilla Group. The Italian family-owned food company will receive the premiere 2021 Catalyst Award on March 17-18, 2021, for initiatives that have accelerated progress for women and increased inclusion for all within its organizations around the world. The Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) is the other awarded company.
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, for more than 30 years Catalyst has bestowed the Catalyst Awards to recognize exceptional initiatives that corporations have taken to accelerate and advance women into their leadership - because progress for women is progress for everyone.
“We are honored to be recognized by Catalyst for our global efforts at Barilla to advance gender equality in the workplace, enhanced by our achievement of Gender Pay Equality around the Barilla world”, said Claudio Colzani, CEO of the Barilla Group. “This award is a reflection of Barilla’s effort to boost a culture of diversity and inclusion in our employees, partners and the communities in which we eat, live and work. As we have more to do, we will continue with resilience on this path to create an even more inclusive company for all.”
Barilla is being honored for its turnaround to become a model of inclusion for their LGBTQ+ employees and all underrepresented groups working for the family-owned company. From 2013 to 2020, women’s representation increased in Barilla’s direct reports to the CEO from 8% to 28%. From 2014 to 2020, women’s representation also increased in the direct reports to the Global Leadership Team from 23% to 36%; direct reports to senior leaders from 40% to 47%; and all women in leadership positions globally increased from 33% to 38%.
Barilla achieved gender pay equality in 2020 globally for all employees, aligned with Barilla’s value “Equal pay for equal work”. It was also one of the first companies in Italy to achieve many inclusion milestones, such as formalizing flexible working around the world and becoming the first Italian company to support the United Nations Standards of Conduct for Business Against LGBTQ+ Discrimination in the Workplace.
“We applaud Barilla and RBC for their initiatives that have proactively cultivated inclusive cultures for women and everyone within their organizations,” said Lorraine Hariton, President and CEO, Catalyst. “Their singular commitment to increasing the representation of women in their leadership ranks - and holding themselves accountable to develop and empower talent in the face of challenges - demonstrates that progress won’t pause.”
The theme for the 2021 Catalyst Awards virtual event is “Progress Won’t Pause–Equity Can’t Wait.” It signals the continued and steadfast efforts of organizations committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion at this heralded global convening of corporate leaders.
More than 5,000 attendees are expected at the virtual event, including the Catalyst Board of Directors and Catalyst CEO Champions For Change. Executives from top global corporations, professional firms, governments, NGOs, and educational institutions will convene at the 2021 Catalyst Awards, chaired by Julie Sweet, CEO, Accenture.
The 2021 Catalyst Awards, Catalyst’s signature fundraiser, will feature programming throughout the month of March, including keynote presentations, various sessions and activities, extensive networking, a partner and exhibitor lounge, and a diverse resource library.
The virtual event will feature working sessions and a “Progress Won’t Pause Hall” highlighting Catalyst’s focus areas: Gender Partnerships, Advancing Women, Lead for Equity and Inclusion, Future of Work.
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