/ Sodexo receives prestigious 2012 Catalyst Award in North America for Diversity and Inclusion

Sodexo, world leader in Quality of Life Services, is pleased to announce it has received the prestigious 2012 Catalyst Award in North America, honoring exceptional business initiatives that advance women in the workplace.

Sodexo will be recognized at Catalyst’s 50th anniversary celebration, in March 2012.

The Catalyst Award is attributed based on a rigorous year-long evaluation process. Award-winners are assessed against a robust set of criteria, including senior leadership support, employee engagement, innovation, business rationale, communication, accountability, and measurable results.

“The pioneering initiatives we honor with the Catalyst Award affect businesses and employees’ lives, but their influence also extends beyond corporate walls to families, communities, and economies worldwide. Clearly, what’s good for women is good for men, business, and society,” said Ilene H. Lang, President and Chief Executive Officer of Catalyst.

“I am proud that Sodexo has become a benchmark company for diversity and inclusion in its sector. Catalyst’s recognition of Sodexo’s diversity and inclusion strategy to advance all employees, particularly women and people of color, is an important milestone for the Group in North America. Sodexo is committed to increasing women’s representation within the organization, notably through the Sodexo Women’s International Forum for talent, or SWIFt. SWIFt was created
in 2009 to accelerate implementation of the company’s global gender strategy, expand representation of women in leadership positions and increase the engagement of all women throughout the company. Sodexo is progressing towards its objective of 25% female representation among the company’s top 300 global positions by 2015,” said Michel Landel, Chief Executive Officer of Sodexo.

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.
> www.catalyst.org

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 Press release