Greater Milwaukee Committee, Milwaukee Women, Inc.: Mary Ellen Stanek Award for Diversity in Corporate Governance announces two winners in 2019

MILWAUKEE – The Greater Milwaukee Committee in conjunction with Milwaukee Women inc, awarded the sixth annual Mary Ellen Stanek Award for Diversity in Corporate Governance to Gina Peter, Executive Vice President – Division Manager of Wells Fargo and Associated Bank on February 11 at the GMC Monthly Membership Meeting. The Mary Ellen Stanek Award is given to an individual or entity demonstrating a commitment to promoting diversity in their corporate structure resulting in increased gender diversity in leadership and on corporate boards in the Milwaukee Region. Past winners include the awards namesake Mary Ellen Stanek, Managing Director of Baird; Gale Klappa, Executive Chairman of WEC Energy Group; Susan Schmitt of Rockwell Automation; and John Daniels, Jr., Chairman Emeritus of Quarles & Brady.

Gina Alberts Peter was recognized for her long history of diverse and inclusive leadership both within and outside of the workplace, acting as a mentor to many. She co-chairs the Diversity and Inclusion Council within Wells Fargo, a part of the Women in Leadership Committee. Internally, her team has hired 25 team members in the past two years, with 64% of them being of coming from underrepresented communities. Her leadership is recognized far and wide as she is often called upon for expertise in Board best practices by both private and public companies.

Associated Bank is a nationally recognized leader in diversity and inclusion practices including their commitment to CEO Action for Diversity & Inclusion, on which they were a founding signatory. In 2017, 61% of all management-level hires contributed to the company’s gender or racial diversity Additionally, 81% of Associated Bank employees feel the organization values diversity and inclusion. In 2018, Associated Bank launched a MKE Workforce Strategy pilot to further attract, retain, and develop minority professionals within the Milwaukee workforce. The objective of this initiative is to mirror the diversity of the communities they serve. 

MWi and the GMC Future Workforce Committee review nominees for the Mary Ellen Stanek Award on an annual basis, and the award is announced and granted to the recipient(s) at a GMC membership meeting.