Recognition comes as The ELC celebrates 40 years of developing leaders and strengthening the leadership pipeline
WASHINGTON, Oct. 14, 2026/PRNewswire/ -- The Executive Leadership Council (ELC) today announced that Exelon will receive the 2026 ELC Corporate Award at The ELC Recognition Gala on Friday, October 30, 2026, at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center in National Harbor, Maryland.
The Corporate Award recognizes companies demonstrating a sustained commitment to developing talent, strengthening leadership pipelines and creating meaningful impact in the communities they serve.
Exelon's commitment to developing people extends from its executive ranks to classrooms and communities across its service territories. It is central to the company's strategy and its focus on putting customers first, keeping bills as low as possible and delivering a safe, reliable and future-ready grid.
"Exelon understands that a strong leadership pipeline begins long before someone receives an executive title. It begins with access, preparation, mentorship and the opportunity to grow," said The Executive Leadership Council President and CEO Michael C. Hyter. "As The ELC celebrates 40 years of developing leaders who perform at the highest levels of business, Exelon's sustained investment in people and communities reflects the kind of long-term commitment that keeps that pipeline strong. We are proud to recognize Exelon with the 2026 ELC Corporate Award."
Leadership Built Through People
Exelon's approach to leadership is rooted in the responsibility that comes with serving nearly 11 million customers through six regulated utilities and employing more than 20,000 people. Its business strategy places an empowered workforce alongside customer focus, safety, reliability and financial strength, reflecting the company's belief that its ability to serve customers depends on people who are prepared to lead through a rapidly changing energy landscape.
That philosophy extends into the communities Exelon serves. In 2025, employees contributed 168,674 hours of volunteer service, while Exelon and the Exelon Foundation provided more than $45 million to nonprofit organizations and communities. Employees contributed another $4.8 million to charitable organizations, which through the Exelon Foundation Matching Gifts Program translates to $8.8 million.
"Leadership at Exelon starts with a responsibility to serve, whether that means showing up for our customers, investing in our employees or helping a young person see a future for themselves in an industry they may never have considered," said Exelon President and CEO Calvin Butler. "We are honored to receive The Executive Leadership Council's Corporate Award during its 40th anniversary year. This recognition belongs to the people across Exelon whose work every day strengthens our company, develops talent and creates opportunity in the communities we are privileged to serve."
Building the Next Generation
Since 2019, Exelon has invested almost $114 million in workforce development programs across its utilities and corporate offices. In 2025 alone, more than 19,000 people participated in over 100 programs, ranging from job training and community partnerships to programs introducing middle and high school students to energy and STEM careers. Since 2019, more than 2,700 people have been hired internally or externally through Exelon's job training and related programs.
The Exelon Foundation STEM Academies are one part of that pipeline. The free, week-long programs provide students with hands-on STEM experiences, exposure to Exelon worksites and employees, mentorship and leadership development. The academies served 400 students in 2025 and have reached more than 1,700 young people to date.
For some students, that pathway now reaches from the classroom into the company itself. Exelon's Chris Crane Memorial Scholarship provides college scholarships to select students who participated in its STEM Academies. In 2025, three scholars graduated from college and joined Exelon companies as full-time employees, while another five accepted positions beginning in 2026.
The progression reflects a philosophy shared by Exelon and The ELC: identifying talent early, investing in its development and creating meaningful opportunities for people to advance.
The ELC Marks 40 Years of Developing Leaders
Exelon will receive the Corporate Award during a milestone year for The Executive Leadership Council. Founded in 1986, The ELC is celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2026, marking four decades of developing leaders who perform at the highest levels of business and strengthening the leadership pipeline that sustains that excellence.
The 2026 ELC Recognition Gala will take place Friday, October 30, at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center in National Harbor, Maryland. Hosted by Emmy Award-winning television journalist and Entertainment Tonight co-host Kevin Frazier, the black-tie celebration will feature a special musical performance by 10-time GRAMMY Award winner Chaka Khan. The Gala is the signature fundraising event of The ELC's 2026 Gala Week, October 28-31, which will bring together more than 3,000 members, students, senior executives and business leaders as The ELC celebrates its 40th anniversary.
Gala Week is designed to span the leadership journey. The Honors Symposium connects ELC Scholars with senior executives and hiring managers as they prepare to enter the workplace. The Mid-Level Managers' Symposium develops high-performing professionals preparing for greater leadership responsibility. Corporate Board Navigator helps ELC members prepare for corporate board service.
ABOUT THE ELC
The Executive Leadership Council is an independent nonprofit founded in 1986 that opens channels of opportunity for the development of global executives to positively impact business and our communities. Learn more at elcinfo.com.
ABOUT EXELON
Exelon (Nasdaq: EXC) is a Fortune 200 company and one of the nation's largest utility companies, serving almost 11 million customers through six fully regulated transmission and distribution utilities -- Atlantic City Electric, BGE, ComEd, Delmarva Power, PECO, and Pepco. Exelon's more than 20,000 employees dedicate their time and expertise to supporting our communities through reliable, affordable and efficient energy delivery, workforce development, economic development and volunteerism. Follow @Exelon onX and LinkedIn.
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SOURCE The Executive Leadership Council
