The Wisconsin LGBT Chamber of Commerce announced the winners of its 2023 Business Awards including Corporate Partner of the Year Kohler Co.
“The Wisconsin LGBT Chamber of Commerce is so proud to recognize these amazing businesses and individuals for the work they are doing to build a more welcoming and inclusive business community in Wisconsin,” said Jason Rae, president & CEO of the Wisconsin LGBT Chamber of Commerce. “The recipients of this year’s Business Awards embody the values and vision of our Chamber and we are incredibly proud to recognize their accomplishments and the positive impact they are making. We are so excited to honor these champions of inclusion.”
Kohler Co. has been committed to significantly advancing LGBTQIA+ individuals in the workplace and fostering a culture of inclusion, according to a release from the chamber. For example, the Kohler PROUD Business Resource Group has worked to create and implement programming that helps employees understand the challenges faced by LGBTQIA+ individuals. They have also worked to engage customers from the LGBTQIA+ and ally communities through targeted events and advertising, while including LGBTQIA+ owned businesses in their corporate supply chain. Kohler has also provided donations to several non-profit organizations including PFLAG, Sheboygan LGBTQ Alliance, and Courage House MKE.
Others award recipients are:
- LGBTQ Business of the Year: The Foster Lane
- Allied Business of the Year: Ollie’s
- Nonprofit Organization of the Year: Rainbow Alliance Advocacy
- Business Resource Group of the Year: Molson Coors’ L.A.G.E.R. (LGBTQ+ and Allies Group Employee Resources)
- John Ross Pruess Business Leader of the Year: Doug Wetzel of Ashton North LLC
- Advocate of the Year: Vince Tripi
The awards were presented during the Chamber’s Business Awards & Showcase event Oct. 25.
