The Diversity & Inclusion team has launched a sub-team called EMPOWER – Empowering and Motivating Professionals with Opportunities for Workplace Excellence and Relationships.
The mission of the peer-led group is to promote connection, development, and retention across Citizens Energy Group by adding opportunities for employees to network with peers and foster a culture of inclusion, collaboration, and growth.
With approximately 41 percent of employees eligible to retire in 2027 and an increased emphasis on strategic workforce planning, this group adds opportunity for employees to learn from others across the organization.
Olivia Hawbaker, Manager, Engineering, and Project Engineers Justin Burnett and Payton Staman worked together with IndyHub – an organization whose mission is to grow, engage, and empower a community of 20- and 30-somethings who are
meaningfully connected to Indy and its future – throughout 2021 to provide a series
of virtual lunch-and-learn events for Citizens employees. This series highlighted ways to get involved in civic leadership, work effectively across generations, and transition from pandemic closures to reengaging in the community.
After that series, Hawbaker, Burnett, and Staman wanted to start a regular gathering of early-career employees to continue providing opportunities for engagement, networking, and development.
Advised by J.P. Ghio, Vice President, Energy Operations; Mark Jacob, Vice President, Capital Programs and Engineering; and Tamiko Kendrick, Director, Diversity, Inclusion, and Talent Management, they developed a mission statement and values for the team and asked a handful of coworkers to support their efforts by attending a kickoff event in March. This feedback-gathering meeting generated nearly 50 ideas, including service opportunities and events focused on mentorship and growth within Citizens.
“With many new faces at Citizens and a lot of employees working remotely over the past two years, I am a strong proponent of the EMPOWER team,” Ghio said, “because it is designed to help employees connect and build meaningful relationships.”
The team is now hosting events every four to six weeks that align with the three pillars below. All employees are invited to participate in the team’s events, which include panel discussions with Citizens leaders, additional facilitated conversations with IndyHub, and volunteer opportunities.
“Our goal for the events is to create an environment of collaboration and discussion,” said Hawbaker. “We want to create a unique space for peer engagement and influence that allows us to connect across the organization.”
If you are interested in attending an upcoming event hosted by EMPOWER, send an email to Hawbaker, Burnett, or Staman. You also can learn more on the EMPOWER iTrust site.
EMPOWER Team Pillars
Networking and Collaboration: Interact with peers and leaders across the organization to connect people and increase our understanding of the organization.
Professional Development and Training: Find additional ways to grow in our careers through mentoring, leadership development, and learning new skills or ideas by leveraging Organizational Training tools.
Community Service and Outreach: Create opportunities to engage with peers while investing in our community.
In July, the EMPOWER team hosted a panel discussion about mentoring with Tamiko Kendrick, Mark Jacob, and J.P. Ghio. About 35 Citizens employees attended the event.
