Tailwind Group has been named one of Minnesota’s Top Workplaces for 2026 by the Star Tribune, marking the third consecutive year the company has earned this honor.
The award is based entirely on employee feedback collected through a confidential third-party survey administered by Energage, a leading employee engagement technology firm. The survey assesses key aspects of workplace culture, including employee engagement, organizational health, leadership, alignment, and overall satisfaction.
“This recognition is especially meaningful because it comes directly from our team members,” said Brandon Smith, President and CEO of Tailwind Group. “Our people are the foundation of everything we do, and earning this honor for the third consecutive year reflects the culture we’ve worked hard to build together. As we continue to grow, we remain committed to creating an environment where team members feel valued, supported, and empowered to succeed.”
Tailwind Group continues to expand its national student housing portfolio while maintaining a strong focus on employee experience and organizational culture. The company believes that investing in its people is essential to delivering exceptional experiences for residents, investors, and the communities it serves.
Produced by the same team behind the Star Tribune’s long-standing Top 100 Workplaces report, the Minnesota Top Workplaces program recognizes organizations that prioritize a people-first culture. Rankings are based solely on employee survey responses and assess factors such as workplace engagement, organizational effectiveness, and employee satisfaction. To qualify, organizations must have at least 50 employees in Minnesota. More than 10,500 companies were invited to participate in this year’s program.
Star Tribune CEO and Publisher Steve Grove said, “The companies in the Minnesota Star Tribune Top Workplaces deserve high praise for creating the very best work environments in the state of Minnesota. My congratulations to each of these exceptional companies.”
“Earning a Top Workplaces award is a badge of honor for companies, especially because it comes authentically from their employees,” said Eric Rubino, Energage CEO. “That’s something to be proud of. In today’s market, leaders must ensure they’re allowing employees to have a voice and be heard. That’s paramount. Top Workplaces do this, and it pays dividends.”
The complete list of Minnesota Top Workplaces is available through the Star Tribune’s annual Top Workplaces publication and online at StarTribune.com.
Today, Tailwind Group is recognized as one of the nation’s top student housing owners and managers, with a portfolio of approximately 40 communities offering more than 19,000 beds across 16 states and 23 universities.
ABOUT ENERGAGE
Making the world a better place to work together.™
Energage is a purpose-driven company that helps organizations turn employee feedback into useful business intelligence and credible employer recognition through Top Workplaces. Built on 20 years of culture research and the results from 30 million employees surveyed across more than 80,000 organizations, Energage delivers the most accurate competitive benchmark available. With access to a unique combination of patented analytic tools and expert guidance, Energage customers lead the competition with an engaged workforce and an opportunity to gain recognition for their people-first approach to culture. For more information or to nominate your organization, visit energage.com.
