June at Avangrid: Pride, Innovation… and more!
What an amazing June we had at Avangrid. This month was full of moments that brought people together to learn, reflect, and connect.
- We kicked off with our Masterclass, creating space for growth and new ideas.
- We honored Juneteenth, taking time to reflect on history and the work that continues.
- We celebrated Pride Month across our communities, including showing up at Pride parades in New York City and Portland, Maine. (See photos below, as well as some Pride Month employee spotlights!)
- We continued the conversation on well-being during Men’s Mental Health Month, with two seminars focused on mental health and support.
- We came together for our 9th Innovation Forum to push thinking forward.
- And we hosted our second AutismUp site tour this year, connecting inclusion to real work and real impact.
Different moments. One shared focus.
Creating a company where people can show up, contribute, and do their best work.
Grateful for everyone who made this month what it was.
Pride Parades in NYC and Portland, Maine
2026 Innovation Forum
Pride Month Employee spotlights
Krystal Alba on Showing Up Fully and Building Belonging Through Authenticity
Krystal Alba, our Lead Analyst of Programs and Projects in NYSEG, reflects on how Pride connects deeply to her sense of identity, community, and purpose. She also provides insight into how to create space for people to show up fully—without needing to edit who they are—can strengthen both individuals and teams.
What does Pride Month mean to you on a personal level?
Pride, to me, is about authenticity, community, and not having to edit yourself to fit into a space. It’s about showing up fully whether that’s in your personal life, your career, or somewhere in between and knowing that you belong. Pride is also about visibility and advocacy, but just as importantly, it’s about connection. It’s the relationships, the support systems, and the moments where people feel seen that really make a difference. Through my involvement with Pride@Avangrid and other ERGs, Pride means turning those values into action; creating opportunities for people to engage, share their experiences, and build a culture where inclusion is something we live, not just something we celebrate once a year.
How does being able to be yourself at work impact your well-being, confidence, or the way you do your job day to day?
Being able to be myself at work allows me to show up with confidence, clarity, and focus.
When you’re not holding back parts of your identity, you’re able to fully engage. Whether that’s contributing ideas, building relationships, or leading initiatives. It removes barriers that can otherwise impact both well-being and performance.
It also changes how you interact with others. Authenticity creates trust, and trust drives stronger collaboration and better outcomes. For me, that translates into being more confident in my voice, more effective in my work, and more intentional about creating spaces where others feel that same sense of belonging.
It’s also why I’m intentional about creating the same environment for others. Whether through ERG work, mentorship, or day-to-day collaboration, because that sense of belonging shouldn’t be the exception.
If your present self could send a message to your past self, what would it be?
If I could send a message to my past self, it would be this: You don’t need to make yourself smaller to fit where you think you’re supposed to be. You don’t need to edit who you are to be accepted or successful. Everything that makes you different (the way you think, feel, and experience the world) is not something to overcome. It’s your strength.
The journey won’t always be easy. There will be moments that feel overwhelming, unfair, or uncertain. But you will make it through every one of them. And more than that, you’ll grow because of them. The resilience you build, the perspective you gain, and the strength you carry forward will become the foundation for everything you accomplish. You’ll learn that once you fully accept who you are, and stop holding yourself back, there is nothing you’re not capable of.
And now, as a parent, I see so much of that in my children. I see it in my daughters, who are unapologetically themselves and already moving through the world in their own unique way. And I see it in my son, whose perspective, energy, and kindness make him stand out in the best possible ways. He experiences the world differently, but that difference is something to be valued, supported, and celebrated, not changed.
If I could extend that message to them, it would be simple: You are exactly who you are meant to be. Your differences are your power. Stay kind, stay bold, and never lose the parts of yourself that make you unique. Because no matter how difficult the path may feel at times, we don’t succeed by becoming someone else, we succeed by fully becoming ourselves.
Living Authentically: A Pride Spotlight on Ariella Phillips, Lead Analyst – BRS (Business Readiness & Support).
What does Pride Month mean to you on a personal level?
Representation is important to me, and Pride Month lends the perfect opportunity for me to support and advocate for a community I love. When we celebrate the LGBTQ+ community and show transparency for others who have found happiness, it will hopefully show the younger generation that everyone deserves love and to be their authentic self.
Can you share a personal experience, lesson, or moment from your journey that continues to guide you in your life or career today?
In 2024, I walked in the NYC Pride Parade with my coworkers at Avangrid. Seeing the thousands of people coming together to support such an amazing community was life changing. Without my company’s support and outreach, I would not have been able to participate in such an event.
What does it mean to you to see Avangrid recognizing and celebrating Pride Month – not just now, but throughout the year?
Working for Avangrid makes me so proud because I love working for a company where inclusivity and diversity are celebrated rather than suppressed.
What message would you share with someone in their career who is looking for a workplace where they don’t have to hide who they are?
Being unique is such a fabulous quality, and I would hate to see anyone squander it. Once you find love for yourself, then you will find love and friendship with many. This holds true in our personal and professional lives. Working for a company that supports their employees is so important and something to appreciate.
Matt Hutchinson: Showing Up as an Ally and Creating Space for Everyone to Belong
Matt Hutchinson, Manager of Clean Energy Policy at NYSEG & RG&E, talks about how his personal experiences shaped his commitment to supporting others and why allyship plays such an important role in advancing a culture of belonging. His perspective highlights how each of us has a role to play in creating a workplace where everyone can thrive.
What does Pride Month mean to you on a personal level?
My dad was a psychologist at a university in the 1990s, and during that time he was a therapist for many gay and lesbian university students. As a kid, I remember asking him about a magnet on his door indicating his office was a safe space for LGBT people. My dad always instilled in me the importance of caring and supporting people from all walks of life, and I work to advance those values during Pride Month and throughout the year.
What makes you proud to work at Avangrid?
Avangrid has several Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) that support people of all backgrounds, and there are frequent company gatherings to raise awareness about creating a more inclusive environment for all. On top of that, you can tell that our leaders care about supporting all types of people and ensuring that all have an opportunity to be successful at our company.
What message would you share with someone in their career who is looking for a workplace where they don’t have to hide who they are?
Pay attention to the messages from company leaders, especially when they are supporting others in their workplace and community. Also talk to multiple front-line employees at the company to ensure the company “walks the walk” in supporting employees’ need to be their authentic self at the workplace.
If your present self could send a message to your past self, what would it be?
I still have a supporting role to play in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion even though I am a white straight man. Allies are an important voice to ensure people feel seen and supported. Continuing to show up as an ally is an important first step in supporting others.
