Catalyst, a global organization dedicated to expanding opportunities for women and business, has announced that TK Kurien, CEO - IT Business and Executive Director, Wipro Limited, will serve as chair of the Catalyst India Advisory Board. Celebrating its 50th anniversary globally this year, Catalyst is building on its presence in India, where vital economic growth and a significant influx of educated women are transforming markets and workforces and opening doors to new opportunities for working women.
Wipro, a leading global information technology company headquartered in India, and Pitney Bowes Inc., a global provider of customer communications technology, are Founding Supporters of Catalyst in India and have made important contributions to support Catalyst's effort to accelerate the advancement of working women in corporate India.
Led by Mr. Kurien, the Catalyst India Advisory Board (CIAB) assembles respected business leaders at India-headquartered corporations and India subsidiaries of global multinationals aligned with Catalyst's vision and goals, who will offer strategic counsel to further Catalyst's mission in India's dynamic marketplace.
"Business leaders in India seek to leverage female talent and leadership in their workforces and to do it in ways that respect local norms and cultures," said Ilene H. Lang, President and CEO of Catalyst. "We're honored to have the generous support and commitment of Wipro and Pitney Bowes, which will greatly accelerate our impact in India and help scale our operations to meet India's global challenges and opportunities."
"Wipro is proud to be a founding supporter of Catalyst India, and I am delighted to chair its India board of advisors," said TK Kurien, CEO - IT Business and Executive Director, Wipro Limited. "With its research expertise and global-local perspective, we believe Catalyst is uniquely positioned to support the work companies in India are already doing to develop women, tap their leadership potential, and create inclusive workspaces. Catalyst's mission strongly aligns with our values, and we are committed to supporting this effort."
Murray D. Martin, Chairman, President and CEO of Pitney Bowes, noted, "For more than 60 years, diversity and inclusion have been recognized as business imperatives for us at Pitney Bowes. We have been working with Catalyst for over 20 years because its vision and advocacy for women and business mirrors our own passionate belief in leveraging the best talent to serve our markets. We are proud to join with respected market leader Wipro in supporting the expansion of Catalyst into India, one of the world's fastest-growing centers of economic activity." Today, two women are responsible for over 90 percent of Pitney Bowes's revenue and earnings, and women comprise 25 percent of the company's Board of Directors, and 40 percent of its global workforce.
Marking its 50th anniversary in 2012, on April 30th in Bangalore, Catalyst and invited business leaders will celebrate at a special event, Celebrating Communities That Count. As part of the celebration, Ms. Lang will moderate a discussion with Mr. Kurien on "The Future of Leadership." This celebration is one of several that Catalyst is holding in regions where it has a presence during its 50th anniversary year.
ABOUT CATALYST:
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. Catalyst annually honors exemplary organizational initiatives that promote women's advancement with the Catalyst Award.
CONTACT DETAILS
Susan Nierenberg,Vice President, Global Marketing & Corporate Communications, Catalyst, 646-388-7744 (New York), snierenberg@catalyst.org
Shilpa Mathapati, Gutenberg Communications, +91 9167696945 (Mumbai), shilpa@gutenbergpr.com
Priscilla May D'Souza, Gutenberg Communications, +91 9663021035 (Bangalore), Priscilla@gutenbergpr.com