Twin Valley recognized for promoting the advancement of women in the workplace

The Clay Center Business Professional Women’s Club presented Twin Valley, the local fiber broadband provider, with their 2022-23 Business of the Year award. Accepting on behalf of Twin Valley was its Executive Director of Customer Service Donna Van Allen, along with Marketing Operations Manager Shaley Johnson.

To be considered, employers must meet one or more of the following criteria:

• Exhibit sensitivity to the needs of female employees.
• Provide outstanding opportunities for development, upward mobility and additional training for female employees.
• Provide support for dependent care with established liberal parental leave policies.
• Offer upgraded retirement plans for female employees.
• Enter into a business/school partnership for the purpose of providing resources, training, or expertise to make its academic program more responsive to student needs and employer expectations.
• Establish a job evaluation system that creates salary levels that provide equal pay for equal work and allow for salaries based on comparable worth.

“Women’s voices and leadership have long been valued since our founding more than 75 years ago,” said Van Allen. “Joe and Mildred Foster each had their own strengths but managed the business as equals from the very beginning. Today, women have a role in every part of our business, with more than 40% of our leadership roles filled by women.”

The award presentation was held during the BPW monthly meeting on Tuesday, April 11. Pictured, left to right: Shaley Johnson (Twin Valley Marketing Operations Manager), Natalie Murato (member-nominator & Director of Grow Clay County), Donna Long (BPW Issues Management Chairwoman), Donna Van Allen (Twin Valley Executive Director of Customer Service).

For Twin Valley, the commitment to women in business goes beyond employees and extends into the communities it serves. Affordable broadband gives women remote work and education opportunities that advance careers. Free internet service for low-income households can be the difference for the single parent creating a better life for their family. Twin Valley has long supported community events, giving more than $50,000 annually to local causes.

“We were so excited to honor Twin Valley in this way,” said BPW President Leanna Grater. “When evaluating nominated businesses, our committee had no issue selecting Twin Valley for this award. They’ve long supported the BPW, sponsoring our Annual Car Show at Piotique and so many other initiatives our group has had.”

Local winners’ applications will compete at the BPW Kansas State Convention, held annually in the summer.