CATALYST

Developing
Future-Ready Leaders

Catalyst is a virtual leadership experience that is successful in preparing top global talent for greater levels of leadership in work and everyday life.

This 12-month leadership development journey supports career advancement, increased confidence and personal authenticity, refinement of leadership identity, and deep connections to peers across the globe.

Each participant is paired with an internal sponsor, offering guidance, advocacy, and deep commitment to their learning to propel their career forward and offer opportunities that they would not otherwise receive.

Objectives

Our ethos for development is to lead with connection and an emphasis on our shared humanity, creating a sustainable ecosystem of belonging, support and opportunity that continues well beyond the Catalyst journey.

With Catalyst, you will:

– 1 –

Develop a clear sense of your unique purpose and leadership identity.

– 2 –

Accelerate your competitive edge, growth and innovation.

– 3 –

Elevate your visibility within your team and organization.

– 4 –

Develop your career through peer mentoring and sponsorship.

– 5 –

Involve higher level executives as allies for your leadership development. 

– 6 –

Step into greater positions of leadership in a way that is powerful and authentic.

77% of the highest-achieving women have strong ties with an inner circle of other women.

— Forbes.com, Why Women Need To Network Differently Than Men To Get Ahead

Catalyst was something that made me own who I was. It made me feel comfortable in the room. Working with my sponsor was good because I was struggling and he provided me with the support that made me step out even more and take on stretch assignments and stretch my abilities so that I landed myself in the role that I have today. I went from the People Engagement Lead for Field & Channel to Training Development and Process Improvement Program Manager within the DEI space. The support I received from the cohort during a challenging time reminded me that I can make anything happen when I believe in myself.
— India
 Thomas

DEI Resource and Tools Manager
My facilitator (and our circle this year) was phenomenal. Totally top tier, and I felt as though we had a really cohesive and authentic group. The facilitator did a great job cultivating a safe, real, worthy environment and I looked forward to this session every month. Nearly all the goals I set out to accomplish were completed.
— Cierra
 Shoenthal
, Participant

Senior Client Success Manager at Second Nature
This program is so great and I’ve learned so much about leadership. It’s given me visibility at my company. I am not going to lie, I was a bit skeptical at first and not really sure what I was getting into but I am so happy I was not only selected but decided to be a part of the program. I joined BlueSnap almost 2 years ago, and since being here (and being a part of this program) I have received a promotion to my current title of Director of Risk Management
— Ilyssa
 Papa
, Participant

Director of Risk Management at BlueSnap
The topics really provide you with the opportunity to look at yourself and create your own leadership style. It also allowed me to connect with others throughout HP that I may otherwise never have connected with. To know they also experienced some of the same issues, and to allow us to have the space to talk through what we’re facing and how we’ve overcome, really helped my development as a leader.
— Jared
 Palmer
, Catalyst Participant

Manager
Before Catalyst, we didn’t have equity and inclusion as a formal focus. Catalyst allowed us to support and elevate this within the company, with the support of Great Hill Partners. We then launched an initiative to focus more on women in leadership. Giving women the skills to lean into their inner authority is a game changer for our organization and it ensures, as a company, that there is greater visibility for some of our key female talent.
— Lalita
 Nordquist

Chief People Officer at Prodege
I’ve discovered through the program that I’m a very strategic thinker but that I am not always the best at sharing that vision with others. I’ve worked with my Sponsor and my circle on how best to position my strategic ideas, how to share the story of the strategy, how to show that it will grow the business, the revenue, and change some parts of the organization that might not have been considered in the past. I’ve role played important conversations and gained the confidence to have those conversations through this experience.
— Leah
 Samia
, Participant

Vice President Worldwide Sales Operations at Ikon Science
During the course of the Catalyst program, I felt empowered and equipped to propose a new role. I used the tools that I’d learned in my Power Circles alongside the company’s vision to identify a missing piece in the Customer Experience team. This allowed me to propose an entirely new role for myself. Even just being nominated for Catalyst by my company gave me the initial confidence I needed to see that our company vision could benefit from the skills that I had to create a new innovative role. I’ve been able to look at the topics in my new role through a new lens and use the tools that I have learned in Catalyst to ensure success for myself and my company.
— Leah
 Snook
, Participant

Senior Customer Experience Operations Manager at TodayTix Group
I strongly recommend participation, it was a great experience! It offered me the right combination of ‘relevant concepts’ to apply in day to day, a safe space to share/identify career and personal objectives and what prevents progress on them, with the full support of my cohort proteges, coach, direct manager and sponsor. This ecosystem really strengthens leadership identity and personal authenticity.
— M.
 Angeles Martinez
, Catalyst Participant

Category Support Manager, Customer Support and Services Delivery
, Barcelona
Catalyst is here to lead HP to its next level of greatness. The best proteges I’ve worked with say, ‘I don’t like this. This doesn’t work for me. Why does it work this way? How do I have this conversation? How do I navigate this situation?’ A Sponsor is someone that has been there before and will understand what you need in that moment to be more successful, more courageous, more authentic.
— Tara
 J. Agen
, Catalyst Sponsor

Global Head, HP Marketing Strategic Planning, Operations and MarTech
The program has been tremendously rewarding, everything from the homework, to the power circle, to the sponsor just clicks and brings forth a new level of discovery. It is a journey of reflection and bringing awareness to the self – who I am, what brings me joy, where I want to go and how I might get there. Catalyst creates a purposeful approach and structure for this to happen.
— Wee
 Teck Woon
, Catalyst Participant

Master Program Manager / Architect, Product Solutions
, Singapore
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Sponsors

Participants are matched with Sponsors within their organization; these are leaders with the influence and power to go beyond traditional mentoring support such as coaching, directing, and skills development. Sponsors are committed to the advancement of their Sponsees through advocacy and action – offering opportunities and connections the Sponsee may not otherwise have access to themselves. 

Power Circles

Participants join a circle of 6 peers (of varied levels and regions) who are dedicated to each other’s thriving and growth. Circles are facilitated by an Emerging Human coach who works with each Participant, and with the Circle as a whole, supporting them to show up powerfully and authentically in work and life. Participants also practice coaching and mentoring skills as they support other Circle members to rise.

Development Plan

Participants identify their career aspirations, current skills, and where they want to grow and develop. With the support of their Sponsor and Power Circle, each Participant will develop a plan to evolve their career in a way that best reflects their unique gifts and desires. 

Practices & Tools

Each month Participants receive content (videos, written materials, thought-provoking questions), tools, research and resources to support the monthly themes. They also receive follow up conversation guides and practices to engage with a rotating buddy from their Circle, and take their learning deeper throughout the month. Meetings with Sponsors and Direct Managers are structured through in-depth monthly guides. This is a deep dive into self-discovery that creates real change through experience and practice over time.

Networking

Participants will regularly be connected to the larger Catalyst cohort throughout the experience. As our graduates advance in their careers, the connections they make continue to have ripple effects for many years into the future – and many go on to become Catalyst Sponsors! Participants will also learn how to leverage networking skills learned throughout the Catalyst journey.

Manager Support

Managers of the Participants have endorsed and approved of their top talent’s participation in this program. They are aware of the commitment needed for Catalyst and we honor their support of each Participant. Participants are guided to maximize their relationship with their manager and update them at key points during the program.

Virtual All-Cohort Events

All Participants are invited to several virtual events intended to make connections among the larger Catalyst cohort. Guest speakers, presentations and practices led by Emerging Human facilitators, connection-oriented learning, celebrating wins, and facing current challenges head-on will all be part of these experiences.

Virtual Immersions

Two-day deep dives target advanced learning into leadership topics such as Courageous Conversations, Radiant Leadership, and Presence with Influence. These immersions bring regions together for a more intimate experience to create even more relationships as we grow through the Catalyst experience.

Themes

Transformational themes are explored through the current landscape of each Participant’s work and life environment. Topics such as Leadership Identity, Playing Big, and Owning Your Voice (to name a few) come alive through the real experiences of the Participants. Witnessing how other Participants relate to and experience the themes provides a variety of perspective and wisdom that is invaluable.

Our Measured Results

97%
report increased confidence
as a leader
96%
said this experience fueled their personal and professional growth
97%
positive impact on career development and planning

98%

report the ability to express themselves more authentically

97%
said their Power Circle was a strong leadership resource
87%
would recommend this experience to a colleague looking to grow their career
91%
report Catalyst has been worthwhile time investment

Guides and Materials

  • Monthly Theme Content
  • Power Circle Prep Guides
  • Sponsor + Manager Meeting Guides
  • 1-1 Circle Partner Check-in
  • Reflections and Practices

Commitment

This 12-month experience allows for minimal short-term schedule impact, deeper transformation over time, and increased connection and bonds with Circle members and the Sponsor.

  • Pre-Circle preparation (.5–1 hr)
  • Facilitated monthly virtual video Circle meetings with 6 peers (2.5 hrs)
  • 1-1 connection and reflection in between meetings (.5 hrs)
  • Monthly meetings with Sponsor (1 hr)
  • Periodic meetings with Direct Manager (1 hr x 3)
  • All-cohort events (1.5 hrs x 2)
  • Virtual immersion workshops (a few hours throughout the journey)
I realized my whole experience in Catalyst wasn’t just about being a better business woman or getting to the next promotion. It was about broadening my approach to life; to work– yes, but in my parenting, friendships, and with myself too. The things we talk about in Catalyst like imposter syndrome and authenticity and what my Native Genius is and where I can help others, all those things weren’t connected until Catalyst. And then when that connection was made– it felt so powerful! I’m very grateful for that because that lesson was a big unlock for me.
— Amanda
 Hanlon
, Participant

Director Showroom Operations at Custom Ink
The program was a tremendous journey that helped me solidify my career desires and take an active role in shaping my career journey. I bonded with strong professionals that helped me grow and will remain part of my tribe for many years to come. I continue to find value in my sponsor relationship and am so grateful she invested in my development and introduced me to new people in various organizations. This program was (and still is) an amazing investment in my development – it was worth every minute!
— Amber
 Austin
, Catalyst Participant

Customer Care Center Operations Manager
, North America – Houston
The Catalyst Program was grounding for me personally and very powerful. It helped me create an intentional space for my professional and personal growth, which I otherwise found was often eclipsed by the daily hustle. The power circles were engaging, inspiring and very thought-provoking. I walked away with a deeper self awareness of my leadership identity and an articulate & purposeful voice that I discovered along the way. It liberated me to craft my story through self reflection and offered a unique opportunity to connect with an extraordinary group of women, whose resilience and insights were very motivating. I found new opportunities for growth in my career and look forward to staying in touch and leveraging this network as I continue to build on my diverse professional portfolio.
— Aparna
 Vasudevan
, Participant

Director, Apparel Expansion at Custom Ink
The Catalyst program has been a brilliant forum to reflect and learn in a secure environment within my Power Circle. The monthly sessions are always incredibly inspiring as we listen to each other’s experiences both within the workplace and outside. I have formed some life-long connections and learnt some invaluable strategies to help me in my future career at HP.
— Jody
 Stockford
, Catalyst Participant

Print & Supplies Channel Sales Manager
, UK
The theme and tools that had the biggest impact on me in the program was the Art of Asking. As I think is the case with so many women, we are so used to being the one that does it all and makes it all happen, that it’s hard for us to ask. It’s very hard and scary for us to ask for help, for promotions, for a pay raise. Asking for things is a process. It’s not easy and it takes practice in a safe space with people that you trust. I didn’t learn this skill overnight but having the Power Circles, and opportunities to practice with my sponsor and manager made a huge impact on how I approached situations where I was asking for something.
— Leah
 Samia
, Participant

Vice President Worldwide Sales Operations at Ikon Science
I’ve found myself recently in a lot of conversations with C-suite executives where I need to make a case for data driven changes, and that’s just not something I’ve had to do before. Catalyst gave me some very specific tools in the Theme called Owning Your Voice that empowered me to use these opportunities to communicate more directly and effectively with my colleagues. I have completely banished the use of the word “just” as in “I’m just checking.” I saw how I was softening and diluting my message by adding extra words like that.
— Leah
 Snook
, Participant

Senior Customer Experience Operations Manager, TodayTix Group
The program was eye-opening for me because I realized some things that I needed to change. I have seen many changes in my personal and professional life, now I have a better relationship with all my family members, and my career plan is working. I was even promoted and relocated to my home country as a result. It is great that inside HP you can find all the support to have a better life balance.
— Mauricio
 Castillo Solis
, Catalyst Participant

Customer Success Manager
, Mexico City
This journey leads you to a better understanding of who you are, your strengths, feelings, and objectives. The group of people that you are assigned to is very nice and helps a lot during this process. You connect and empathize a lot with them…You never feel alone. Before the completion of the program I got a Director promotion.
— Paula
 Comes Ahedo
, Catalyst Participant

LF Strategy, Customer Experience and Design & PMO Director
, Barcelona
We have a true obligation to really nurture and support our top talent and to internalize the role that diversity can play in making HP a stronger company. Catalyst is very empowering in that way. My protege became an extension of my team, presenting at our staff meetings and making rich connections with an entire regional leadership team that he otherwise would not have been exposed to.
— Sandy
 Waller
, Catalyst Sponsor

Global Head, HP Marketing Strategic Planning, Operations and MarTech
I found the courage to be myself in the company of our thoughtful coach and power circle of wise and sincere colleagues who courageously shared their life’s stories, high and low moments, as everyone looked within, considered risk, took action, in the hope of discovering their personal best, at work and in life. It’s been a huge privilege and joy to be a part of.
— Shennon
 Ho
, Catalyst Participant

Head of Marketing
, SEA & Korea, Singapore
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