Celebrating Pride Month: Shea Kirwin
During Pride Month in June, Avangrid is celebrating our LGBTQ+ colleagues and allies! Each week, we’ll highlight a Pride community member at Avangrid.
This week, let’s meet our Business Resource Group (BRG) Pride’s Co-Chair, Shea Kirwin, an energy engineer in Avangrid’s conservation and load management department.
Tell us about your role at Avangrid. What do you do?
“I work on energy efficiency projects for commercial and industrial customers. I’m currently working on a large comprehensive project for a local manufacturer that is estimated to save over 855,000 kWh and 10,000 CCF annually. The carbon reduction and reduced load on the grid will help not only the business itself but also everyone around them, and I am so glad to be a part of the process.”
What is the highlight of your career so far at Avangrid? Any special projects, achievements, etc.
The highlight of my career at Avangrid has been the opportunity to present my work at national conferences. I work in commercial and industrial energy efficiency, which I would say is a niche profession, but I am very passionate about the work I do. Every kWh and CCF saved goes to creating a cleaner, greener future, so I relished the opportunity to share my work on a national level.
How has being a Pride BRG member impacted you, personally or professionally?
Being the co-chair of the Pride BRG has brought me community and personal fulfillment that I never dreamed of finding in the workplace. At our weekly leadership meeting, I get to connect with amazing people in the company who I otherwise would not have the honor to work with because our job functions did not intersect. I can lean on them, and they will be there to help whenever I need them, personally or professionally. Finding that community is not always easy, so I’m very grateful to the BRG for bringing me to this group.
What is one way allies can better support the LGBTQ+ community?
Stand up when you see an injustice not only against the blatant, grand homophobia but the microaggressions as well. You cannot be a silent ally.
Shea’s dedication to excellence and her unwavering commitment to breaking down barriers resonate with all of us at Avangrid. Her journey as a lesbian woman in the engineering field reflects the challenges faced by many queer individuals. Her refusal to settle for mediocrity, despite societal pressures, inspires me. Shea recognizes that her success isn’t just about her individual achievements; it represents progress for the entire LGBTQ+ community.
Moreover, Shea’s admiration for hardworking women around her demonstrates her appreciation for a collective effort in breaking barriers while remaining true to one’s self. These women, rising to the top in male-dominated fields, exemplify resilience, compassion, and professional excellence.
Shea’s focus on sustainability and decarbonization aligns with my own passion for environmental protection. Her work reminds us that every effort matters in creating a cleaner, more inclusive future.
Shea Kirwin’s determination, community spirit, and commitment to positive change inspire us to strive for excellence and uplift others.
