Finance & Commerce: Q&A: Doran’s Behrendt says ‘yes’ to opportunity

When Doran Cos. President and CEO Anne Behrendt purchased a majority stake in the company last May, she set the company on a path that is both new and well worn.

The Bloomington-based general contractor and commercial real estate development company has changed since it was founded 13 years ago, moving into multifamily projects after getting a start in student housing. Company founder Kelly Doran was active before that in retail development. In 2018, the company also established an office in Denver.

Last week, the company was certified as the fourth-largest woman-owned business in Minnesota by the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council, the largest third-party certifier of businesses owned, controlled and operated by women in the United States. Behrendt, 41, started as Doran Cos.’ general counsel in 2011, before moving up the company’s leadership structure.

The certification will help Doran pursue “new partnerships with municipalities and with large-scale companies in the Twin Cities and Denver, who are committed to supporting women-owned businesses,” Behrendt said in a statement. But even without the certification, the 300-employee company which had more than $250 million in revenue in 2019 was already on a growth trajectory, she said.