The Sias Group
Founder and CEO | Milwaukee
Thelma Sias is the founder and president of The Sias Group, a Milwaukee-based firm that provides political and leadership consulting expertise. Prior to retiring in 2017, Sias was vice president of local affairs for We Energies. She’s also held numerous leadership roles in the community, serving on the boards of the African American Women’s Project, United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee, Sojourner Family Peace Center and Cardinal Stritch University. A sought-after professional speaker, Sias uses her speaking opportunities to develop the careers and skills of diverse professionals. A native of Mississippi, she grew up on her family farm and watched her parents’ involvement in the civil rights movement, which she has cited as a motivator for her work.
Education: Bachelor’s, Clark Atlanta University
Highlights of the past 12 months: “Navigating communications strategy for diverse audiences; facilitating opinion leadership and intergenerational conversation exchanges; providing mentorship and leadership design for our future.”
One decision to do over: “I’ve made the decision to not give up on the possibility of change and progress. What I’ve learned is though it is my desire in my lifetime to see critical change and significant inclusion and passing the baton for future generations…I’ve learned everyone doesn’t agree with my strategy.”
What would you like to change about Wisconsin: “If I were given the wand to command change, it wouldn’t just be for Wisconsin but for the world. To rid itself of all of the isms, racism, and sexism; to remove all of the isms to give everyone dignity and respect.”
Cocktail of choice: “Champagne.”
2022 Wisconsin 275 Profile
The Sias Group
Founder and CEO | Milwaukee
A retired high-profile executive and community leader, Thelma Sias spent three decades with We Energies, where she ultimately led its community engagement efforts. In 1986, Sias joined Wisconsin Gas Co., which was later acquired by Wisconsin Electric and parent company Wisconsin Energy Corp. By 2003, she had risen the ranks to become vice president of local affairs, where she worked with community leaders and local government officials to further the company’s business initiatives and lead multimillion-dollar projects. She also served on the We Energies Foundation board.
A native of Mississippi, Sias grew up on her family farm and watched her parents’ involvement in the civil rights movement, which she has cited as a motivator for her work. Early in her career, Sias was the supervisor of the Ethnic Heritage Recruitment Center at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, serving the needs of African American and Native American students. In 1982, she moved to Milwaukee to work for an alderman before joining Wisconsin Electric.
Later in her career, she founded and continues to serve as chief executive officer of consulting firm The Sias Group LLC.
Sias serves on many boards, including the Wisconsin Economic Development Corp., United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County, the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Milwaukee, the Sojourner Family Peace Center and the African American Women’s Project. Sias is also a member of The Links, a social and service organization of prominent Black women in the U.S.
She has won numerous accolades. Savoy magazine named her on its 2016 list of Top Influential Women in Corporate America. In 2017, the Greater Milwaukee Foundation recognized Sias with the Doug Jansson Leadership Award, the Milwaukee Fellowship Open gave her a Civic Leaders Award, and she was added to The History Makers’ Collection at the Library of Congress. Milwaukee Urban League established the Thelma A. Sias Fellows of Distinction Award in her honor.
Education: Bachelor’s, Clark Atlanta University
