Celebrating Pride Month: Valoria Reed
During Pride Month in June, Avangrid is celebrating our LGBTQ+ colleagues and allies! Each week we’ll be highlighting a member of the Pride community at Avangrid.
This week, let’s meet Valoria Reed Policy, Markets and Regulatory Affairs, at Avangrid.
Tell us about your role at Avangrid. What do you do?
I am the Project Coordinator for the Community Sponsorship and Donation Program focusing on our employee advocated non-profit initiative. My responsibilities include receiving the paperwork from the field to ensure its completion, sending it through the approval process, and sending out the payment once approved. This program helps us to build goodwill and give back to the communities where we have our wind and solar farms.
What is a highlight of your career so far at Avangrid? Any special projects, achievements, etc.
Knowing that we are giving back to many communities and charities across the country is pretty rewarding.
How do you plan to celebrate Pride Month this year?
In contemplation of what exactly it means to me while I explore the various celebrations around the city of Portland, Oregon. Such as the Starlight Parade and the Delta Park Pow Wow. There’s also the Rose City Pride Band’s Wind Symphony GAY-LA. Our Pride parade is on July 20th.
How has being a member of the Pride BRG impacted you, either personally or professionally?
I’ve really just started with the BRG, and the support I’ve received so far has been rather encouraging. It has brought me a sense of community and belonging. I was asked to join by a friend and now I’m currently the Local Leader for Portland, OR and I look forward to growing within the organization and doing more to help support them in the future.
Name a role model you admire in the LGBTQ+ community. How do they inspire you?
Musician Laura Jane Grace, Laverne Cox and anyone who lives their life as their authentic self.
What is one way allies can better support the LGBTQ+ community?
Educate yourself and listen to people when they speak. Dr. Susan Stryker has a great book called Transgender History with a lot of great information in it.
