Essential Utilities Recognized as Champion of Board Diversity by The Forum of Executive Women

Essential Utilities (NYSE: WTRG) is honored as a Champion of Board Diversity by The Forum of Executive Women for the fifth year since 2016. Essential is one of 37 companies from the Greater Philadelphia area recognized for paving the way for gender equity.

The Forum annually analyzes the leadership of the top 100 public companies in the region and recognizes companies with at least 30 percent of their respective boards comprised of women as Champions of Board Diversity.

“Our intentional focus on board diversity ladders up to our broader diversity efforts, and our strong belief that our teams and suppliers must reflect the diverse communities we serve,” said Christopher Franklin, chairman and CEO of Essential Utilities. “We’re proud of the strides Essential’s made that are reflected by this Champion of Board Diversity honor. More importantly, we are committed to continuing to work towards greater equity and inclusion.”

In 2022, Essential received the Champion of Board Diversity recognition by The Forum of Executive Women along with a "3+" status from 50/50 Women on Boards, signifying at least three board seats held by women. Essential’s water segment, Aqua, was previously honored as a Champion of Board Diversity in 2016, 2019 and 2021. Aqua was also named a 2020 “W” Company from Women on Boards for having 20 percent or more of its board seats held by women.

The Forum of Executive Women, founded in 1977, is a membership organization that unites 600 senior female leaders from various sectors to empower women's influence in the workplace throughout the region.

In September, Essential announced in its 2022 Environmental, Social and Governance Report that the company met key supplier and employee diversity goals and made key progress on its environmental commitments.

About Essential

Essential Utilities, Inc. (NYSE: WTRG) delivers safe, clean, reliable services that improve quality of life for individuals, families, and entire communities. With a focus on water, wastewater and natural gas, Essential is committed to sustainable growth, operational excellence, a superior customer experience, and premier employer status. We are advocates for the communities we serve and are dedicated stewards of natural lands, protecting more than 7,600 acres of forests and other habitats throughout our footprint.

Operating as the Aqua and Peoples brands, Essential serves approximately 5.5 million people across 9 states. Essential is one of the most significant publicly traded water, wastewater service and natural gas providers in the U.S. Learn more at www.essential.co.

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