M. Beth Straka

M. Beth Straka was named senior vice president — corporate communications and investor relations for WEC Energy Group in June 2015. She also was named vice president of the We Energies and Wisconsin Public Service foundations at that time, and president of the foundations in February 2022.

In her communications and investment role, Straka oversees the development, execution, management and coordination of communication strategies, activities and programs for key audiences, both internal and external, to help the company achieve its business objectives. She also is responsible for communicating an integrated operational and financial strategy to the investment community to maximize shareholder value, with considerable focus on environmental, social and governance (ESG) outreach and communication. In addition to serving on the Climate Risk Committee and having primary responsibility for ESG outreach with key stakeholders, she advocated for and coordinated the creation of the company’s first-ever climate report, establishing WEC Energy Group’s pathway to a cleaner energy future.

In her role as head of WEC Energy Group’s foundations and charitable giving programs, Straka provides stewardship of more than $100 million in assets and allocation of more than $20 million in annual charitable giving in communities served by WEC Energy Group’s operating companies. In 2020, she advocated for and established a funding program for COVID-19 relief, focused on organizations supporting health care workers, homeless shelters and food banks, earmarking $2 million, including $500,000 in matching funding. That same year, the company was recognized as the largest corporate contributor in Wisconsin by the Milwaukee Business Journal.

Previously, Straka served for more than a decade as vice president of equity research in the power and utilities group at Barclays and at Lehman Brothers Inc. She has more than 30 years of corporate and utility experience, having previously managed investor relations and corporate communications in the industry. She began her career in public accounting and is a certified public accountant.

Straka holds a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting from Pennsylvania State University and a Master of Business Administration degree from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Straka serves on the steering committee of Global Listed Infrastructure Organization (GLIO), the finance committee of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee board of trustees, and the finance committee of the Make-a-Wish Wisconsin board.