Avangrid’s DEI and HR Leadership Teams Launch New Effort Following Elevation of Direct Reporting to CEO

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08/20/2024 - 02:00 PM

Launch “Listen, Understand and Enable” conversations with leaders to continue fostering an Avangrid with everyone, that benefits everyone

Avangrid’s commitment to building a diverse and inclusive workplace has led to significant advancements over the past years and set the standard for the energy sector

Avangrid surpassing national averages with nearly 39% of women in executive positions, and increasing diversity in executive positions by 75% from 2021 numbers

ORANGE, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- After recently elevating its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) team to report directly to the CEO, Avangrid, Inc. (NYSE: AGR) is launching a new initiative to advance its DEI efforts across the organization. Newly appointed Senior Vice President of DEI, Talent and Innovation, Ignacio Estella, will hold “Listen, Understand and Enable” conversations with leaders across Avangrid. This initiative stems from a recent meeting between Avangrid CEO Pedro Azagra, Estella, and other senior leaders from People and Organizations where they discussed ways that Avangrid can continue to build a culture of inclusion, safety and professional development.

Pictured (left to right): Kay Johnson, John O’Neil, Raquel Mercado, Pedro Azagra, Tina Ullmann, and Ignacio Estella (Photo: Business Wire)

“At Avangrid, we are fortunate to have leaders who are not only exceptionally skilled but also deeply committed to continuous improvement,” said Pedro Azagra, Avangrid CEO. “Our recent leadership meeting at our headquarters reinforced my belief that we have the right team in place to continue delivering excellence and to navigate any challenges ahead. As a proud member of the Iberdrola Group, we see DEI as fundamental to our success. I look forward to hearing the insights from our ‘Listen, Enable and Understand’ discussions on how we can continue improving Avangrid for all.”

“One of the most important responsibilities I have in my role is to listen,” said Estella. “By speaking with leaders from across Avangrid, we will gather feedback from every corner of our businesses. These insights will ensure that we are leading by outcomes to enable an Avangrid with everyone, that benefits everyone.”

“These sessions are critical to better understand the strengths, barriers and opportunities for growth, and to move forward into our future with a more diverse, equitable and inclusive organization,” said Liberna Charles, senior vice president of Talent Management and DEI.

Avangrid’s continuing commitment to DEI efforts has led to significant advancements over the past years and set the standard for the energy sector. Energy is one of the least gender diverse sectors in the global economy. According to an S&P Global Commodity Insights analysis of publicly traded companies in the U.S. and Canada, women make up 21.7% of all executive positions. Avangrid, however, is well-ahead of this figure, and has already surpassed its 2025 target of having 35% of women in executive positions. Today, Avangrid has an executive leadership team made-up of 38.5% women, representing a nearly 80% increase from the numbers reported three years ago. In addition, by the end of 2023, people of color represented almost 30% of Avangrid’s executive positions. This represents a 75% increase from the company’s reported numbers three years ago.

About Avangrid: Avangrid, Inc. (NYSE: AGR) aspires to be the leading sustainable energy company in the United States. Headquartered in Orange, CT with approximately $46 billion in assets and operations in 24 U.S. states, Avangrid has two primary lines of business: networks and renewables. Through its networks business, Avangrid owns and operates eight electric and natural gas utilities, serving more than 3.3 million customers in New York and New England. Through its renewables business, Avangrid owns and operates a portfolio of renewable energy generation facilities across the United States. Avangrid employs approximately 8,000 people and has been recognized by JUST Capital as one of the JUST 100 companies – a ranking of America’s best corporate citizens – in 2024 for the fourth consecutive year. In 2024, Avangrid ranked first among utilities and 12 overall. The company supports the U.N.’s Sustainable Development Goals and was named among the World’s Most Ethical Companies in 2024 for the sixth consecutive year by the Ethisphere Institute. Avangrid is a member of the group of companies controlled by Iberdrola, S.A. For more information, visit www.avangrid.com.