Royal Bank of Canada chief executive Gord Nixon and chief human resources officer Zabeen Hirji will be making an appearance at the Waldorf Astoria in New York in March to accept a Catalyst Award the bank won this week.

The annual Catalyst Award is granted for "exceptional initiatives" from companies that support the advancement of women in business.

Catalyst (a nonprofit that works with businesses to expand opportunities for women) said the proportion of women in executive roles at Royal Bank (from vice-president up) has risen from 35 per cent in 2005 to 39 per cent in 2009.

Women in the high-potential talent pool increased from 31 percent to 43 percent, with 21 percent being visible minority women, Catalyst said.

Aside from RBC the other 2010 winners are Campbell Soup Company, Deloitte, and Telstra.