Overview

Catalyst has been a leading voice on women’s advancement and inclusion since the 1960s. As the recognized expert on gender equity at work, Catalyst helps organizations drive systemic change for women in the workplace. Their mission is to accelerate progress for women and workplace inclusion, empowering organizations to solve business challenges by attracting talent, fostering innovation, and driving performance through inclusive cultures and diverse perspectives. Catalyst.org serves as a key platform for organizations seeking resources to promote diversity, equality, and inclusivity. The site provides access to valuable resources such as events, webinars, insights, and training materials, all aimed at creating workplaces that work for women—and for everyone.

As a non-profit organization, Catalyst relies on the seamless functionality of their website to engage businesses and drive impact. The majority of their resources are gated, available only to organizations that sponsor Catalyst, providing them with exclusive access to the platform's offerings.

The Challenge: Accelerated Project Timeline

Catalyst’s digital transformation required a fast-paced, seamless transition from an outdated WordPress platform to a modern composable microservices architecture using Contentstack. With an ambitious timeline in place, the execution of the project needed to be efficient and flexible. Under XCentium’s expert project leadership, the visual design and development teams worked in parallel to deliver the new solution.

While the normal development flow typically follows the design phase this schedule required a more agile approach. While an outside agency led the visual design, XCentium consulted on both technical feasibility and implementation, identifying opportunities to build ahead of final designs. This allowed development to progress efficiently without compromising quality.  

To deliver within the tight timeline, the team prioritized implementing functional requirements first. This approach allowed the development team to focus on critical elements of the architecture while maintaining flexibility to adjust design elements as needed. Communication across parallel workstreams using our proven processes kept the project on target. Teams kept alignment on any requested changes so that when new requirements arose, they could be addressed as needed.

The Solution: Integrating a Seamless User Experience for Authentication

A significant aspect of the project was improving user authentication. Catalyst needed a solution that would allow sponsors to access gated content on the site without creating unnecessary friction. Based on user feedback from previous case studies, it became clear that password-based access created a barrier for users trying to retrieve DEI materials.

In response, XCentium provided a two-fold solution. First, we implemented Single Sign-On (SSO) using Azure B2C to enable users to authenticate with their existing providers, aiming for a seamless and secure login experience. Second, we built the foundation for a seamless, passwordless login experience. Users will be able enter their email, receive a code, and paste it into the site to log in.

Outcome: CMS Build and Strategic Consulting 

The new Catalyst.org was designed with a strong strategic foundation, ensuring that the platform serves as an optimal content site. The previous website was built on WordPress, which limited scalability and search functionalities. The new solution implemented a modern composable microservices architecture, offering greater flexibility and scalability. The new solution integrates partial search capabilities that enhance discoverability while maintaining a streamlined and user-friendly interface.

Beyond the CMS build, XCentium provided key consulting services to ensure best practices were followed across the board. Our team guided Catalyst in structuring authentication workflows with a focus on security and user experience. Additionally, our strategic design consulting ensured that content modules—such as speaker bios—were crafted with a user-first approach, reinforcing a cohesive and informed digital experience. 

Enhanced Search Functionality

Given that providing DEI resources to users is the cornerstone of Catalyst’s business model, it was essential to provide users with a seamless way to quickly and accurately assess what they’re paying for. The previous system failed to deliver this experience, leaving clients struggling to efficiently find the valuable resources available on Catalyst.org.

XCentium integrated Azure AI Search, significantly improving the content discovery experience for users. The integration enabled site-wide search, faceting, filtering, and sorting, which made it easier for users to quickly locate the most relevant content. The implementation of autocomplete suggestions and fuzzy search also helped account for typos and improved the speed and accuracy of results.

The reimagining of Catalyst’s information architecture combined with the AI-ready search platform significantly improved access to the site’s rich content library. Users can seamlessly navigate through a wealth of resources, enhancing overall engagement and satisfaction. 

Finding events is also easier with enhanced filtering options, including top events and other customizable criteria, allowing users to quickly access the most relevant opportunities to connect. By improving the way content is categorized and surfaced, users can now benefit from personalized access to information, ensuring a more impactful experience from the start.

Seamless Authentication with SSO

As a major step forward in improving user access, the SSO implementation enabled Catalyst to streamline its authentication process.

Using Azure B2C, we provided a seamless authentication experience where sponsors could access the site using their existing login credentials. This solution significantly reduced barriers to login, allowing users to focus on the valuable resources available on Catalyst.org, without the frustration of multiple logins or account creation.

Conclusion

XCentium’s digital transformation for Catalyst.org successfully modernized their website, helping them to better serve their mission of promoting workplace diversity and inclusion. By implementing a composable microservices architecture, integrating Azure AI Search for enhanced content discovery, and streamlining authentication with SSO and passwordless login, the site is now more functional, user-friendly, and equipped to meet the evolving needs of Catalyst's audience.

By choosing XCentium, Catalyst benefited not only from an experienced development team but also from strategic partners who provided tailored consulting based on their unique needs. We do not take a one-size-fits-all approach; instead, we collaborate closely with each client to find creative, flexible solutions that align with their goals, timelines, and users. Our commitment to quality content, thoughtful UX, and innovative digital solutions reinforces why organizations turn to XCentium as a trusted partner in transformation. We are proud to have supported Catalyst in this critical project and look forward to seeing the continued impact of their work.