Tell us your AVANGRID story: Would you describe your role and how long you have been at the company? What did you do before AVANGRID?

I am currently the Vice President of Process and Technology. This is the area that defines how the Networks group performs standard operations. We support networks operations including several projects and key business activities. I have been with AVANGRID since November, but have been with Iberdrola since 2006 when I started as an intern in Brazil. I have only ever worked for the companies of the Iberdrola Group.

How would you describe your heritage?

This is a complicated question for me. In Brazil, we have people from many different places. My family on my father’s side came from Syria. While I never met my grandfather, I did certainly have an Arabic influence growing up. On my mother’s side I have Portuguese heritage. While much of Brazilian heritage is European or even North American, we have significant Middle Eastern and Japanese populations. This is particularly true in the state of São Paulo, where I am from.

What does this month’s celebration of Hispanic heritage mean to you?

This is an interesting question for me – in Brazil we don’t have a specific month celebrating particular heritages. But I think it is very important to recognize and celebrate the many cultures and contributions that Hispanic people have made. It’s an opportunity to reflect and help other people learn more about Hispanic and Latin American individuals.

What is a Hispanic or family tradition that you hope to pass down to the next generation?

I came from a small city in the state of São Paulo that is well known for its coffee. Coffee was the first major commerce in the region and is a very important part of socializing. Sometimes we might take a day or a weekend to visit family or friends, and preparing the coffee is an important part of those gatherings. Brazilian coffee is very different from American coffee – it’s stronger, like espresso. But, when we gather together to talk about life or other things, we always have coffee in hand. It is a very nice social tradition and I hope to pass it down. It’s not just about the drink of course, it’s about the family, friends, and building close personal relationships. I believe it’s a great tradition.

What advice would you have for younger Hispanic or Latinx professionals who are just starting their careers?

I think my advice is not just for young Hispanic professionals, but for most people: keep adapting to and learning from different cultures. When I came to AVANGRID, I was impressed by how many different people and cultures are represented here and our ability to work together. I think it’s important to take these opportunities to learn and grow as people and learn the importance of diversity. My recommendation is to embrace diversity, be friendly, and promote open communication. It is a good behavior to learn and model.

What else would you like to share with us?

I believe that the Latin American perspective is hard to summarize – it’s a large region with many different cultures. I appreciate that we have the opportunity to highlight the various different traditions to understand other cultures during this month. That will be a huge source of knowledge for all of us.