Month: June 2023

Anna is responsible for managing Suncor’s community investment in the Fort McMurray Wood Buffalo area. By leveraging her connection to community and work experience with Suncor Energy Foundation, she joined the Board of the then newly established Wood Buffalo Community Foundation (WBCF). Her first task: develop a grant process – and quickly! This new process allowed WBCF to make its first donations within months of launching. Along the way, WBCF began working closely with Capacity Canada, a charity that helps other organizations with strategic plan development support and board member training.

WBCF launched in 2017, to provide long-term financial support for projects in health, the environment, sport, arts, culture and other emerging community needs. Like many charities that can’t afford full-time staff, WBCF had an operational board, meaning the board members themselves carried out most of the organization’s work. One challenge they faced, in those early days, was how to issue grants.

“When the board first approached me, I was intrigued,” recalls Anna, who is responsible for managing Suncor’s community investment in the Fort McMurray Wood Buffalo area. “Drawing from my experience in community investment and seeing how the Suncor Energy Foundation (SEF) makes donations, I was confident I could do it.”

Right on time, Anna developed a grant process and began building a committee to review the applications, allowing WBCF to make its first donations within months of launching.

As the foundation matured, the board realized they needed to recruit members with professional skills like Anna’s, and diverse perspectives that represented the community. They were able to onboard new members with human resources and legal experience to guide the foundation as it hired staff and navigated accepting different kinds of donations, including real-estate.

Along the way, WBCF began working closely with Capacity Canada, a charity that helps other organizations by offering strategic plan development support and board member training.

Anna signed up for Capacity Canada’s training and has used what she learned to help WBCF move from an operational board to a governing board.

“There were four of us from WBCF that took Capacity Canada’s Modern Board course,” shares Anna. “The timing was perfect as we learned the necessary steps to transition our board from day-to-day operations to one that is focused on strategic direction and financial oversight.”

Capacity Canada, a SEF partner since 2011, offers the Modern Board course twice a year. The course aims to equip participants with a fundamental understanding of effective board membership and addresses specific concerns that board members may encounter. Participants who successfully complete the course also receive a micro-credential in partnership with Conestoga College’s continuing education program.

“The course was comprehensive and appropriately challenging,” reflects Anna. “They provided ample time for reflection and facilitated online group discussions, which I found immensely helpful in absorbing the material and immediately applying it to my board role.”

ROSEMEAD, Calif., June 28, 2023 /3BL/ – Twelve aspiring lineworkers will be awarded up to $25,000 each to pursue a chance to become a Southern California Edison lineworker. This is part of the 2023 Edison International Lineworker Scholarship Program, funded by Edison International shareholders and IBEW Local 47, designed to bring in lineworkers to help power the clean energy future. 

California has sizeable electrification needs to meet ambitious clean energy goals, and the electric industry will need highly skilled lineworkers to reach them. According to labor statistics, the demand for lineworkers is expected to rise by 8.5% by 2026. Edison’s Lineworker Scholarship Program is designed to fill that need with skilled lineworkers, right here in Southern California. 

“SCE needs well-trained and energetic lineworkers more than ever as we work to assure a grid that is reliable, resilient and ready to meet our customers’ demands in a clean energy future,” said Heather Rivard, SCE’s senior vice president of Transmission Distribution. “The Lineworker Scholarship Program is already helping us meet those needs, and I look forward to meeting the new scholarship winners, including a former U.S. Marine and our second female recipient!” 

The recipients of the 2023 Edison International Lineworker Scholarship are:

NameCityAngela Bruleé                               Los Angeles        Ivan CastanedaNorwalkJesse ChhingLong BeachLazarus FuentesBloomingtonJustin JohnstonPico RiveraNisifolo LolesioSan JacintoDaniel MaldonadoForest FallsFreddy McCutcheonLakewoodIsrael MendezSouth GateJermone MitchellLancasterUbaldo Reyes TapiaMaywoodBrandon RossMoreno Valley

 

Launched in 2021, the Edison International Lineworker Scholarship Program initially focused on attracting Black participants. This year, the program expanded its focus to include candidates who self-identify as Asian Pacific Islander, Native American or female. The Lineworker Scholarship provides tuition, tools and support services, such as housing, transportation and childcare, needed to complete required training at Los Angeles Trade-Technical College and to obtain a Class A driver’s license. 

2022 Lineworker Scholarship recipient Nicole Taylor said, “Three words that describe my journey since receiving the scholarship are resilience, strength and teamwork. There is a sense of camaraderie between the scholarship recipients, and the support we’ve received from the 2021 cohort has helped me along my journey.” 

Recipients are eligible for an entry-level groundman/groundwoman position at SCE once they complete the Powerline Mechanic Certificate program, obtain a Class A driver’s license and complete SCE pre-employment requirements. All jobs will be located within SCE’s 50,000-square-mile service area, and the company may require graduates to relocate for their positions. 

To learn more about the Lineworker Scholarship winners, visit the 2023 Lineworker Scholarship Spotlight page. 

The next application period will start next spring. Applicants are encouraged to visit Edison International Lineworker Scholarship to stay up to date on next year’s eligibility requirements. 

About Edison International 
Edison International (NYSE: EIX) is one of the nation’s largest electric utility holding companies, providing clean and reliable energy and energy services through its independent companies. Headquartered in Rosemead, California, Edison International is the parent company of Southern California Edison Company, a utility that delivers electricity to 15 million people across Southern, Central and Coastal California. Edison International is also the parent company of Edison Energy LLC, a global energy advisory firm engaged in the business of providing integrated decarbonization and energy solutions to commercial, industrial and institutional customers.

Media – Contact: Diane Castro, (626) 302-2255

Since the age of seven, I’ve been playing video games and watching anime. My introduction at such a young age is thanks to my brother who showed me this virtual world. I wanted to be just like him, and so I watched him play video games and eventually it became an activity we shared together. Since then, I’ve never let go of this passion that unites us. One of my most cherished memories is from a childhood Christmas when I received my first home console, the Nintendo 64 Pikachu version. I still remember the joy I felt and the hours I spent playing in front of the TV. I didn’t know it at the time, but this gift would influence the trajectory of my life.

I have used nearly every gaming console to date. My interest in new games on the market has never wavered, allowing me to continuously develop knowledge on the different types of existing games such as RPGs (Role Playing Games), FPS (First Person Shooters), MMOs (Massively Multiplayer Games) or even sports simulation games like FIFA.

Developing International Friendships Through Gaming

Throughout my life, video games have served as a refuge, helping me escape from reality and pushing me to believe in myself. Many don’t have the opportunity to meet people from other parts of the world unless they can afford international travel. However, through gaming, I have been able to make friends, learn about other cultures and overcome my shyness from the comfort of my home.

Due to the global online network I faced when gaming, I decided to learn English as it was widely spoken by many of the friends I made online. So, I spent a lot of my free time watching movies and anime with English subtitles.

Through gaming I’ve learned a lot about myself and how to feel and process a range of emotions. Whether it is the hunger to win, the disappointment from losing; or the constant questioning of decisions and the team cohesion on how to accomplish a goal. Video games have allowed me to become aware of my strengths and weaknesses, and to be understanding towards others.

Turning A Passion Into A Career

I knew there was a market for online gamers and anime-lovers, which is what led me to create my Instagram account in September 2017.

My goal with this account is to influence and inspire my community through my content. I want to help my followers pursue their dreams without fearing people’s judgment, because in today’s society it’s easy to criticize. I hope future generations will never second guess themselves in a field they love and continue to follow their dreams. Be who you are, don’t try to be like someone else. Be authentic. And most importantly, fight for what you love to do.

The Challenges of Being a Woman in Gaming

As a woman in the video game industry, I strive to pave the way so other women feel comfortable pursuing their passions without fear or doubt. The challenge I face is earning the respect of the industry, as women are often underrepresented and face prejudice, sexism and other forms of discrimination. I struggle daily to prove that we deserve our place in this field.

The truth is, I have been harassed on social media and received hurtful comments for simply being a woman in this world. For a while, I took it to heart and allowed it to impact my health. However, I was able to get back up because of the support from my loved ones and the community of friends I built online.

How Tech Has Pushed My Passions

For me, technology is everywhere. I use it every day to communicate with my collaborators, subscribers and friends. I value being able to easily access information and having the entire world at my fingertips.

However, it’s important to note that technology has drastically advanced since receiving my Nintendo 64 nearly 25 years ago. The ongoing innovation behind technology has produced better graphics, increased interaction and created more immersive games, to name a few. This constant evolution opens the door to endless possibilities for gamers and anime fans alike.

My Legion 5 Pro allows me to successfully maintain and develop my channel broadcast when gaming on Twitch for hours. Without this technology, I wouldn’t be able to create and edit my content or share information with my subscribers. By working with Lenovo as one of its innovators, I can increase my efficiency and produce content that I didn’t have access to before – furthering my skills as a content creator.

To explore the world of a female video gamer, or just want to keep up with my #LenovoInnovators journey, follow me on Instagram @Playurdreams.

At Comcast, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I) are core to who we are. From the people who power our teams, to the products we create, the stories we tell, and the groups we partner with – we work every day to foster a more inclusive workplace and ensure that all our teammates feel supported, embraced, and heard.

As part of this, we make it a point to come together annually across the organization for DE&I Day, a time to pause and reflect as an organization, celebrate our commitment to action, and be intentional about where we want to go.

On April 26, tens of thousands of teammates tuned in to our broadcast, either virtually or in-person at one of over 175 watch parties hosted at locations across the globe.

Our program not only included updates from executive leadership but also featured unique stories of teammates who are leading inclusively and helping to drive our efforts forward. We also engaged in a shared learning focused on helping us better understand social identities and dimensions of diversity.

As I reflect on the incredible day, three powerful messages have really resonated with me:

1. When we’re encouraged to be who we are, we do our best work.

A truly diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace is one where everyone is welcomed and included as their authentic self. Our inclusive culture centers around empowering all teammates to feel valued and celebrated for their contributions and inspiring them to feel comfortable bringing their whole self to work.

We all bring a set of identities into the workplace, and learning how to understand our differences is key to bringing out the best in everyone. Taking time to understand the many social identities we all bring to the table and connecting through these differing backgrounds and perspectives allows us to collaborate, innovate, and ultimately, help foster a more inclusive workplace.

Here’s what authenticity in the workplace means for some of our teammates.

2. Our inclusive culture inspires teammates to give back to their communities.

While our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion starts at home, we’re deeply invested in the communities we serve and the small businesses that shape them.

From the incredible local businesses that we support through Comcast RISE, to the neighborhoods we help through our WiFi-enabled Lift Zones, and the investments we make to advance digital equity through Project UP, our team members embody our mission to help build a future of unlimited possibilities.

Through Team UP, our always-on volunteerism and employee engagement program, our teammates are giving back and making a meaningful difference in record numbers. This DE&I Day, we asked employees to Team UP by participating in Letters to UP Lift, a companywide volunteer letter writing project aimed to inspire high school students to be their authentic self.

3. Continuous learning is key to ongoing progress.

While we’ve come a long way on our DE&I journey, our work is not done. And it’s so important to take the lessons learned and apply them to our everyday lives. This summer, teammates will participate in a learning challenge that will build on the concepts shared this DE&I Day.

Continuous learning, both as an individual and as an organization, is all about being open-minded, asking questions, and caring for each other. It’s a simple concept of listening, valuing feedback and insights, and acting on them – there is always more to learn.

We are one team, and with a shared growth mindset and commitment to continuous learning – we can do amazing things together!

I’m looking forward to seeing the lasting impact of this year’s DE&I Day throughout our organization and how inspiring authenticity in the workplace will shape Comcast for years to come.

Loren Hudson is Senior Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer for Comcast Cable.