Allete has been named an Honor Roll company of Special Distinction in an annual report on gender diversity in the executive ranks and on the boards of directors of the largest publicly traded companies in Minnesota.
St. Catherine University conducts the research each year and the resulting report, called “The Minnesota Census of Women in Corporate Leadership,” is published by Twin Cities Business.
For 2023, ALLETE was among nine companies to qualify for Special Distinction status and one of only three companies to have reached gender parity on both their boards and among their executive officer teams. Five of 10 Allete board members are women, and three of six executive officers are women.
It is the fifth consecutive year Allete has been recognized as a company of Special Distinction.
Bethany Owen, Allete chair, president and CEO, said the company is honored by the recognition and noted that women have served in senior leadership positions and on Allete's board of directors for decades.
“Creating and strengthening an equitable and inclusive culture is one way we’re putting sustainability into action at Allete,” Owen said. “A more diverse workforce helps people, organizations, and communities thrive and ultimately contributes to our success. We know we have more work to do, but we also know we are stronger when we embrace diversity in all its forms and more voices are included in the decision-making process at all levels.”
For the 73 companies included in the 2023 census, the average percentage of women on boards of directors was 30% and the average percentage of women executive officers was about 23%. Honor Roll status is given to companies that exceed those averages in either or both categories. Special Distinction is awarded to companies with gender parity on their board, among their executive officers, or both.
Allete is an energy company headquartered in Duluth.
