Fueling Change: How LS Power’s EmPOWERing Women is Making a Difference

EMPOWER WOMEN

In 2023, an employee advocacy group was formed at LS Power – aptly named EmPOWERing Women. Beyond its stated mission, one goal of the group is to provide support and mentorship opportunities for women across the company.

While these groups are not new to corporate America, the formation of this one was meaningful because it grew organically under the care of two female professionals – Jennifer Richardson and Mady Gutierrez – who work in the Missouri office and sought to connect and empower each other in an organization and an energy sector that is, quite often, male dominated.

Since launch, EmPOWERing Women has grown in popularity – now counting 65 members with regular programming any established employee advocacy group would be envious of – and has inspired other successful programs throughout the company.

GIVING INTENTIONALLY 

One such inspiration is influencing how charitable donations are allocated. LS Power has a rich tradition of supporting community outreach programs that create impact across its geographic locations. The firm’s charitable giving programs focus on categories important for its sustainability efforts, including community and health support, education, food insecurity, environmental, and economic empowerment. In 2024, that focus expanded to include an intentional giving strategy geared towards women.

“Inspired by the EmPOWERing Women’s Group at LS Power, I had the opportunity to direct our charitable giving towards organizations that directly benefit and support women in the Capital Region,” said Emily Aquina, office manager for LS Power Grid New York. Aquina also serves as the administrator of LS Power Grid’s Eastern Donation Committee, whose aim is to direct charitable contributions, in-kind donations, and volunteer activities to benefit communities where the company operates.

LS Power Grid New York is a relatively new entity in the LS Power portfolio. In 2021, LS Power’s Central East Energy Connect transmission project placed its first transmission element into service, giving birth to the company’s first transmission utility in upstate New York, specifically in the Capital Region surrounding Albany. Since the transmission facility became operational, LS Power Grid New York has helped to improve power grid reliability and enable renewable generation to flow downstate, while also striving to be a good corporate citizen.

“The Capital region is critical to the health of the New York transmission system, and we are excited to bring our safe, reliable operations to the greater Albany area,” said Brian Brau, associate vice president for LS Power Grid, whose role includes business oversight of LS Power Grid New York, among other utilities. “We’re honored to direct our community engagement activities to support and benefit communities where our employees live and work.”

INSPIRING OTHERS

To date in 2024, LS Power Grid has donated to the following organizations in the Capital Region that directly benefit women.

CAN CODE COMMUNITIES

On behalf of LS Power Grid New York, a $5000 donation was made to Can Code Communities, a female-founded organization providing education, scholarships and help with connecting students to employers. Their focus is on communities in New York State and beyond that do not normally have access to education and opportunities surrounding the tech industry.

Girls Inc.

LS Power Grid New York also donated $5000 to the Girls Inc. organization. Their mission is to inspire all girls to be strong, smart and bold, by providing award-winning, research-based programs to girls in Albany, Schenectady, Saratoga, and Rensselaer counties in New York. They serve 150 girls per day with after-school programs in Albany and Schenectady.

Women’s Employment and Resource Center

In addition, LS Power Grid New York donated $5000 to the Women’s Employment and Resource Center (WERC). WERC works to advance women’s success in the workplace by building their economic and personal independence. Since 1988, WERC has provided quality workforce development services to more than 10,000 women from the Capital Region who have lost their source of support due to divorce, separation, or their spouse’s job loss, disability or death.