For many years, Peggy Kelsey has taped a modification of a Margaret Thatcher quote to her desk that read: Being a leader is like being a lady. If you have to tell people you are; you aren’t. “This resonated with me because I have tried very hard to lead in a genuine way, without regard to public recognition,” said Kelsey.
She keeps this in mind as she serves as the executive vice president, general counsel and corporate secretary of WEC Energy Group.
WEC Energy Group is one of the nation’s largest electric generation and distribution and natural gas delivery holding companies. Its subsidiaries provide energy services to more than 4.6 million customers in Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan and Minnesota with a focus on providing safe, reliable and affordable energy in an environmentally sustainable manner.
Over the past three years, WEC Energy Group has announced and reaffirmed some of the most aggressive environmental goals in the energy industry, under Kelsey’s leadership. The company is working to reduce carbon emissions from its electric generating fleet 60 percent by the end of 2025 and 80 percent by the end of 2040 – both from a 2005 baseline. The company is also targeting net-zero methane emissions from its natural gas distribution network and use coal only as a backup fuel.
“Investing in renewables and reducing greenhouse gas emissions are just part of WEC Energy Group’s efforts to create a brighter, more sustainable future,” said Kelsey, a second-year Titan 100. “Customers are at the heart of this business, and we work every day to help grow and support communities where we provide vital energy services.”
To lead her team toward these goals, Kelsey said she acts in the capacity of a mentor or trusted advisor. “The very nature of my job requires me to be in the advice-giving business,” she said. “By jumping into advice mode, I was short-circuiting the learning process and shared with my team and mentees that I would be working on staying curious just a little bit longer.”
Her curiosity has led to engaging more with the community to learn more about the community’s needs and the customer-base’s needs. Kelsey represents WEC on the board of directors of the United Way of Greater Milwaukee and Waukesha County. She was also chosen to chair the Greater Milwaukee Committee as a contributor to the GMC’s new strategic plan.
“Since stepping into this new role, I have found myself in different ‘rooms’ than ever before, having discussions about and being a part of decisions that could impact our community in meaningful ways,” said Kelsey.
Her commitment to impacting sustainable energy sources and the community as a whole, Kelsey has been named a second-year Titan 100.
