Consumers Energy Promotes Science, Technology Fields by Sponsoring Women of Color STEM Conference in Detroit

Professionals, Students to Attend 20th Conference Through Saturday

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Oct 15, 2015, 06:00 ET

DETROIT, Oct. 15, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Officials from Consumers Energy will be welcoming professionals and students in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and math this week to Detroit, as the company sponsors the annual Women of Color STEM Conference.

"For nearly 130 years, Consumers Energy has provided safe, affordable and reliable energy to Michigan families and businesses. As we grow our future workforce, we remain committed to hiring talented employees who have a passion for STEM and represent diverse backgrounds," said Patti Poppe, Consumers Energy's senior vice president of distribution operations, engineering and transmission.

"Consumers Energy is a major STEM supporter. The Women of Color STEM Conference is honored to partner with such a dedicated company that takes STEM education seriously and makes commendable efforts in advancing the interest of minority students and professionals in the field," said Monica E. Emerson, Women of Color STEM Conference national chair.

The national conference will mark its 20^th anniversary today through Saturday at the Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center. The conference provides a forum for women in STEM fields to network, share ideas and inspire the next generation.

Consumers Energy promotes STEM education to build the state's workforce for the future. Its Generation Genius Project promotes robotics to inspire future engineers, scientists and workers in technology-related fields. Learn more at www.ConsumersEnergy.com/genius.

Consumers Energy also is creating an inclusive workplace that features Employee Resource Groups. These include its Women's Advisory Panel, Women's Engineering Network, Minority Advisory Panel, Hispanic Outreach Team, Veterans Advisory Panel and more.

Several company leaders will take part in the conference. Consumers Energy and the Detroit Area Pre-College Engineering Program are sponsoring students to attend.

Angela Thompkins, Consumers Energy's human resources manager of diversity and inclusion, said that while more girls are taking higher-level STEM courses in high school, their numbers start to drop upon entering college. The largest unrepresented group is minority women.

"With the demand for STEM talent high and supply low, we are committed to recruiting and retaining diverse STEM talent to ensure we have the knowledge and experience necessary to meet the dynamic needs of our customers now and in the future," Thompkins said.

Consumers Energy, Michigan's largest utility, is the principal subsidiary of CMS Energy (NYSE: CMS), providing natural gas and electricity to 6.6 million of the state's 10 million residents in all 68 Lower Peninsula counties.

For more information about Consumers Energy, go to www.ConsumersEnergy.com.

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SOURCE Consumers Energy