Ernst & Young LLP Donates $1 Million to Catalyst’s Changing Workplaces, Changing Lives Campaign

(3BL Media) New York, NY - April 10, 2012 – Furthering its commitment to women’s leadership, Ernst & Young LLP donated $1 million in support of Catalyst’s Changing Workplaces, Changing Lives campaign, which offers corporations, foundations and philanthropists the opportunity to invest in Catalyst’s mission to expand opportunities for women and business.

Ernst & Young LLP’s donation will help fund the campaign’s corporate governance initiatives, specifically Catalyst’s Center for Corporate Governance Research. The Center explores how the underrepresentation of women on corporate boards affects governance effectiveness and how the right mix of directors can enable successful leadership in the boardroom, while mitigating risks of failure. In addition, the Center uncovers the complex ways in which diversity at the top of corporations impacts talent management, corporate social responsibility and financial performance.

By helping businesses to develop and retain talented women, Catalyst and its supporters seek to accelerate the momentum of women’s advancement in the business world.

“As Catalyst celebrates its 50th anniversary, Ernst & Young is proud to support Catalyst’s next bold initiative to sustain and grow its global impact on women in business,” said James S. Turley, Chairman and CEO of Ernst & Young and Chair of Catalyst's Board of Directors. “We encourage others to join us in answering the call to action to be a ‘catalyst’ for the next 50 years of advancing women in business.”

Turley announced the Changing Workplaces, Changing Lives major gifts campaign and initial donors during Catalyst’s 50th anniversary events, which took place March 28-29. An estimated 2,000 global business leaders including more than 100 CEOs attended the dinner, which he emceed.

“We are thrilled and delighted to have this opportunity to partner with Ernst & Young in such a meaningful way,” said Ilene H. Lang, President and CEO, Catalyst. “As we work together to accelerate the advancement of women globally, we are confident that Ernst & Young’s support and guidance will contribute in a major way to realizing mission impact.”

With Ernst & Young LLP’s endowment to the Center for Corporate Governance Research, Catalyst will continue to study the gender gap in corporate governance and discover new ways to close it.

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. During our 50th anniversary, Catalyst welcomes partners committed to creating true change for women and multicultural employees.

About Ernst & Young
Ernst & Young is a global leader in assurance, tax, transaction and advisory services. Worldwide, our 152,000 people are united by our shared values and an unwavering commitment to quality. We make a difference by helping our people, our clients and our wider communities achieve their potential.

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Ernst & Young refers to the global organization of member firms of Ernst & Young Global Limited, each of which is a separate legal entity. Ernst & Young Global Limited, a UK company limited by guarantee, does not provide services to clients.

This news release has been issued by Ernst & Young LLP, a member firm of Ernst & Young Global Limited that provides professional services to clients in the US.