ATLANTA, Oct. 16,
2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Board of Directors of
Southern Company today announced the election of Shantella
(Shan) E. Cooper as an independent
director, effective Oct. 16, 2023.
Board committee assignments have not yet been determined.
"Southern Company is a solutions-focused business, something
Shan has specialized in throughout her diverse, 30-year career,"
said Southern Company executive chairman Thomas A. Fanning.
"Shan recognizes how much people matter," added Southern Company
president & CEO Chris Womack.
"Engrained within Southern Company is the belief that customers
must remain at the very center of all that we do. Our system's
customers, communities and employees will benefit greatly from her
wealth of experience implementing and executing successful business
strategies featuring sound people strategies."
Cooper is the founder and CEO of Journey Forward Strategies,
LLC, a consulting firm with a focus in leadership development and
organization effectiveness. Working with Fortune 500 corporations,
private companies and not-for-profits, Cooper delivers sustainable
solutions in the areas of executive coaching; leadership and
culture development; and business transformation.
Cooper is the former executive director for the Atlanta
Committee for Progress. Founded in 2003, the group featured
business, education and civic leaders and served as the Mayor of
Atlanta's external advisory board
on key issues important to economic growth and inclusion.
Additionally, Cooper is the former chief transformation officer of
WestRock and was responsible for developing infrastructure
capabilities and system processes facilitating growth. She also led
the recycling and waste services division supplying materials to a
diverse customer base and international markets via 22 recycling
plants across the U.S. In addition, Shan led the enterprise
logistics, global procurement and information technology
organizations.
Prior to joining WestRock, Cooper served as the vice president
and general manager of Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company and
simultaneously served as the vice president of business ethics for
the aeronautics division. Prior to her role as a general manager,
Cooper served in numerous leadership roles in human resources and
served as the first corporate vice president of diversity and equal
opportunity.
Cooper serves on the board of directors of SouthState
Corporation, Intercontinental Exchange, Inc. and Veritiv
Corporation and previously served on the board of directors of
Atlantic Capital Bancshares, Inc. In addition, Cooper served on the
board of directors of Georgia Power, a Southern Company subsidiary,
from 2017 to Oct. 2023. She serves on
the Board of Directors for Grady Health System and the Board
of Trustees for Emory University.
Cooper also is on the Board of the Georgia Tech Research Institute,
Georgia Historical Society, Georgia Music Accord and is a member of
the Atlanta Rotary Club and a Life Member of the Board of
Councilors for The Carter Center.
About Southern Company
Southern Company (NYSE: SO) is
a leading energy provider serving 9 million residential and
commercial customers across the Southeast and beyond through its
family of companies. Providing clean, safe, reliable and affordable
energy with excellent service is our mission. The company has
electric operating companies in three states, natural gas
distribution companies in four states, a competitive generation
company, a leading distributed energy infrastructure company with
national capabilities, a fiber optics network and
telecommunications services. Through an industry-leading commitment
to innovation, resilience and sustainability, we are taking action
to meet our customers' and communities' needs while advancing our
commitment to net zero emissions by 2050. Our uncompromising values
ensure we put the needs of those we serve at the center of
everything we do and are the key to our sustained success. We are
transforming energy into economic, environmental and social
progress for tomorrow. Our corporate culture and hiring practices
have earned the company national awards and recognition from
numerous organizations, including Forbes, The Military Times,
DiversityInc, Black Enterprise, J.D. Power, Fortune, Human Rights
Campaign and more.
View original content to download
multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/shantella-e-cooper-to-join-southern-company-board-of-directors-301958001.html
SOURCE Southern Company