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Sept. 11, 2024
Happy Hispanic Heritage Month! Washington Gas is proud to honor the Hispanic community's rich cultural contributions and lasting professional impact. Our strength is rooted in the diversity of our teams.
Please get to know three outstanding colleagues who bring unique experiences and perspectives to our team. Their hard work, talent, and heritage reflect the rich cultural diversity that has helped us provide affordable, reliable, and safe energy to the communities we have served for more than 175 years.
Paulo Martinez, Senior GIS Specialist
As a GIS specialist at Washington Gas, I’ve focused the last five years on making a difference. One of my proudest moments was when my team developed applications that saved the company money and made getting quick, reliable reports for safety and jurisdiction easier. It feels good to know that my work helps provide affordable, reliable, and safe energy to the DMV area.
Hispanic Heritage Month is very meaningful to me—when I think about it, the word that comes to mind is “Latinidad.” I love supporting Hispanic activities, whether it’s at my kids’ school or here at work. One tradition close to my heart is our family gathering on New Year’s Eve. We all come together to reflect on what we’ve accomplished and set goals for the coming year. It’s a time that reinforces the importance of family and our shared dreams.
When it comes to supporting Hispanic causes, I believe education, advocacy, and financial support are key. I also see a lot of potential in the next generation, and they’re ready to step away from traditional career paths and bring fresh ideas to the table. My advice to young professionals? Never stop and keep pushing forward, no matter what.
Vanessa Vizcarra, Program Development and Management Specialist
My best advice to young professionals just starting out is to go to every networking event you can. Strike up conversations with people you don’t know—it can open doors you might not have expected. Here at Washington Gas, our Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) host events throughout the year, and it’s a great opportunity to meet coworkers you might not interact with on a regular basis.
When it comes to being a non-Hispanic ally and supporting Hispanic causes, I’d say get involved in the community. Volunteering is a powerful way to offer support and make connections. It also ties in with my advice on networking—community engagement is a chance to build relationships while making a positive impact.
One of my favorite family traditions is getting together during the holidays to cook. Whether we were making cookies or preparing elaborate family dinners, those moments brought us all together. I have many fond memories of our fun in the kitchen, working side by side and sharing our love through food.
Jessica Heras, Executive Administrator
To be honest, I didn’t celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month until I joined Washington Gas’ Latino Empowerment and Diversity (LEAD) resource group. Being part of this dynamic group opened my eyes to the importance of celebrating and sharing our heritage with other cultures and our allies. We started an annual Hispanic Festival, showcasing our music, food, and culture for everyone to experience. That day sparked something in me—a drive to share how my culture shaped me into someone hard-working, dedicated, and passionate about current affairs.
One word I’d use to describe Hispanic Heritage Month is enlightening. It’s all about education and awareness that shines a light on the impact many important Latino figures have made and continue to make. It’s an experience that encourages us to appreciate diversity and all that it brings.
During my time at Washington Gas, the most positive change I’ve seen is the push for greater diversity and inclusion. With the support of our VPs and dedicated employees, our Employee Resource Groups have grown and thrived. I’m proud that our leadership sees the value in fostering diversity and inclusion.
My advice to young professionals? Get involved! Participate in volunteer events, join groups and committees—anything that gives you visibility with upper management and executives. It’s a great way to grow.
