Carlson announced today that it has received the Champion for Equality Award from the Women’s Foundation of Minnesota. 

The Women’s Foundation of Minnesota, the oldest statewide women’s foundation in the country, is a community foundation that invests in social change to achieve equality for all women and girls in the state.

Carlson was the unanimous choice for this year’s award, based on its significant number of women in upper management; its actions to ensure that all Minnesota women and girls have the chance to lead; and its dedication to building women’s leadership in the workplace, most notably the Company’s recent appointment of Trudy Rautio as president and CEO, and its announcement that Marilyn Carlson Nelson is being succeeded by her daughter, Diana Nelson, as Chairman of the Board of Directors.

“We know there is still much work to be done to achieve full equality for women in our workplaces,” said Marilyn Carlson Nelson.  “But it’s nice to stop for a moment to celebrate how far we’ve come.”

In addition to its commitment to promote and champion women professionally, Carlson also supports women and girls through corporate giving and philanthropy.  The company has been a leader and early supporter of efforts to recognize and prevent sex trafficking around the globe, including being a lead local sponsor of the Women’s Foundation campaign, “Minnesota Girls Are Not for Sale,” which is working to end the trafficking and prostitution of girls.

“Carlson is leading the way through its philanthropy, ensuring that girls in our state have meaningful opportunities to contribute.  We hope that other corporations will follow Carlson’s example,” said Lee Roper-Batker, Women’s Foundation president and CEO.

About Carlson
Carlson is a global hospitality and travel company headquartered in Minneapolis, Minn. Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group includes more than 1,300 hotels in operation and development, including, Radisson Blu, Radisson®, Park Plaza®; Park Inn by Radisson, Country Inns & Suites By Carlson^SM and Hotel Missoni; more than 900 T.G.I. Friday’s® restaurants; and a majority stake in Carlson Wagonlit Travel®, the global leader in business travel management. Carlson operates in more than 150 countries and territories and its brands employ more than 175,000 people. http://www.carlson.com

Contact: Heather Faulkner, hfaulkner@carlson.com  + 1 (763) 212-1224