Cartier’s Women’s Initiative Program Expands to Include Men in D.E.I. Category
Since 2006, Cartier has been a champion for female entrepreneurs making a positive impact on society and the environment through its Women’s Initiative Program. This program provides grant money, networking opportunities, loans, and professional advice to women-owned or female-led businesses from any sector, helping them overcome barriers such as underfunding and lack of access.
In a groundbreaking move last year, Cartier expanded the program to include men with the introduction of a new diversity, equity, and inclusion (D.E.I.) pilot award. This award recognizes entrepreneurs, regardless of gender, whose businesses foster opportunities for underrepresented groups.
The response to the D.E.I. category has been overwhelmingly positive, with a growing number of applicants each year. Cartier received 83 applications for the D.E.I. award this year, with 20 percent of them being men.
Cyrille Vigneron, the president and chief executive of Cartier, emphasized the importance of inclusivity in the program, stating, “Our objective is to create a sense of belonging in a more inclusive world.”
The D.E.I. category highlights businesses that seek to solve inclusion challenges, often inspired by personal experiences that drive entrepreneurs to create solutions for change. This year’s finalists include innovative companies like BlindLook, No Limbits, and Trestle Labs, each addressing unique challenges faced by underrepresented communities.
The winners of the D.E.I. category, along with other award recipients, will be announced at an award ceremony on May 22 in Shenzhen, China. This event will celebrate the achievements of these trailblazing entrepreneurs and showcase the impact of Cartier’s Women’s Initiative Program on a global scale.
