Title: Director and Board Member
Company: Xcel Energy & Dow Inc.
Location: Englewood, Colorado, United States
Daniel W. Yohannes, director and board member at Xcel Energy & Dow Inc., has been recognized by Marquis Who’s Who Top Executives for dedication, achievements, and leadership in government and nonprofit organizations.
With five decades of experience to his credit, Mr. Yohannes has built a distinguished career in government and nonprofit organizations. Since retiring in 2017, he has excelled as a director and board member at both Xcel Energy and Dow Inc., where he remains engaged in corporate governance, nonprofit work, speaking engagements, and consulting. In these roles, he leverages his global expertise and banking background to oversee company governance, helping guide two major corporations. Dow Inc. is one of the world’s largest chemical companies, and Xcel Energy is a Minneapolis-based regional utility serving approximately 12 states.
Mr. Yohannes’ prior experience includes a political appointment by President Barack Obama from 2009 to 2017, where he served as United States ambassador to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development under the U.S. Department of State in 2014 and as chief executive officer of the Millennium Challenge Corporation from 2009 to 2014. Before his government roles, he held several key positions in the banking industry, including vice chairman of U.S. Bank, formerly Colorado National Bank, from 1999 to 2003, chief executive officer from 1996 to 1999, and president from 1992 to 1996. His early career began at Bank of America, where he rose from trainee to executive vice president over his 15-year tenure from 1977 to 1992. He also dedicates his time to various organizations, including the Xcel Energy board, the board of directors at Dow Chemical, and as a trustee for the National Museum of African American History and Culture at the Smithsonian Institution since 1997. He served as co-chairman of the host committee for the G8 Summit in Denver in 1997 and has been a board director at National Jewish Health since 1995. Additionally,
In light of his impressive undertakings, Mr. Yohannes was named one of the Top 100 Most Influential People in Washington DC, by the Washington Post in 2015, awarded the highest distinguished honor by the United States Department of State, and repeatedly ranked among the Top 50 Most Influential Africans in the World. Laying a strong educational foundation for his achievements, he earned a bachelor of arts in economics from Claremont McKenna College in 1976 and a master of business administration from Pepperdine University in 1980. Reflecting on his path, he takes great pride in the work he led at the Millennium Challenge Corporation, which fueled his commitment to assisting those in need not only in the United States but also globally, with a special focus on fostering economic opportunities across Africa. He has also made substantial contributions to the African American Museum and the Smithsonian, both through personal resources and successful fundraising efforts for their construction. He attributes his success to unwavering determination and a relentless work ethic, embodying his belief that the sky is the only limit. His journey began at age 16 when he immigrated alone from Ethiopia, supporting himself and establishing a path of self-employment.
For the past 10 to 15 years, Mr. Yohannes has dedicated himself to giving back to the country and society that provided him with so much. His philanthropic pursuits include establishing a sector within the Denver Art Museum, which he and his associates fund to promote Black art, African American art, and African art by acquiring important works through fundraising efforts. He is also actively engaged in the health sector, expanding his initiatives to impact underserved communities. His work at the Millennium Challenge Corporation left a lasting mark, reinforcing his commitment to addressing global needs, especially in Africa, by creating economic opportunities that improve lives. He will further his advocacy by speaking at the University of Hamburg alongside the former president of Germany to promote African studies.
For more information, please visit:
Washington Magazine – “WL Lists: 2023 Power 100”
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