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Governance

Southern Company aspires to establish corporate governance standards and practices that drive long-term value for our stakeholders. Core to effective governance is consistent dialogue with our stakeholders, including regulators, investors and suppliers. We are committed to the highest ethical standards and proactive transparency at the Board level and throughout the entire organization.

Southern Company’s independent directors provide substantive oversight on strategy and risk issues across the Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) spectrum. The full Board discusses key ESG topics as part of its regular agenda, including fleet transition and human capital management. Committees take a deeper dive into ESG risks and opportunities and report out to the full Board on key issues. The ESG topics for which each individual committee is responsible are shown in the graphic below.

Thoughtful Board Oversight of Key ESG Risks and Opportunities

The full Board regularly discusses key ESG topics as part of its regular agenda, including fleet transition and human capital management.
Committees take a deeper dive into ESG risks and opportunities and report out to the full Board.

 
 

“Southern Company has been a leading U.S. utility for over a century. The Board of Directors is engaged in overseeing business strategies to help ensure the company’s foundation remains strong well into the future. Our diverse Board has a wide array of experience and competencies that help ensure we, along with management, are effectively managing risks and opportunities in an evolving energy landscape. Southern Company is focused on transitioning to low- and zero-carbon resources while respecting and listening to our stakeholders. None of this can be accomplished without the tremendously talented workforce employed by Southern Company. The Southern Company Board of Directors is fully committed to the success of employees, customers, stockholders and communities.” 

David J. Grain
Lead Independent Director
Southern Company

Meet some of Southern Company’s Board of Members

Janaki Akella

Dr. Janaki Akella

Former digital transformation leader, Google LLC

Board committees: Business Security and Resiliency, Compensation and Talent Development

Dr. Akella speaks to disruption and how technology will impact the future of energy.

William G. “Bill” Smith, Jr.

Chairman of the board, president and CEO of Capital City Bank Group, Inc.

Board committee: Audit (chair)

Learn about the importance of the audit committee and other financial controls.

Bill Smith

Visit our Risk Oversight page for an interview with the Board’s Nominating, Governance and Corporate Responsibility Chair, Tony Earley

Topics

We seek to establish corporate governance standards and practices that create long-term value for our stockholders and positive influences on the governance of the Company. Core to effective governance is regular investor and stakeholder engagement and a commitment to transparency.