NYPA and Canals Employee Resource Groups Highlight Culture of Care and Support
The strength of our workforce lies in its diversity. Employees from various backgrounds come together to form a rich tapestry of experiences and perspectives. At the New York Power Authority (NYPA) and the New York State Canal Corporation (Canals), our culture of inclusion is nurtured and supported by our Employee Resource Groups (ERGs), which provide safe spaces and opportunities for support, professional growth and community building.
ERGs offer valuable mentorship and professional growth opportunities. “You always owe it to the next generation to mentor them and help them to make the world a better place,” says Joanne, a director of corporate records at NYPA. Interestingly, the first ERG ever was founded in New York by Joseph Wilson while he was CEO of Xerox, in response to a 1964 race riot in Rochester. Wilson, along with Black employees, formed the group to combat discrimination and create a fair corporate environment where civil rights issues could be openly discussed.
At NYPA and Canals, ERGs similarly serve as place where employees with shared interests or life experience can converge and find avenues for support. These include veteran status, multigenerational workers, members of the LGBTQ+ community and more. These groups provide employees the opportunity to build community, grow professionally and learn from one another to apply practical insights to their own lives.
Our Veterans ERG in particular is a group dedicated to supporting military veterans within our organization and the broader American veteran community. The Veterans ERG has led efforts to foster camaraderie and provide tangible support to those who have served. Their efforts include participation in Hudson Valley Honor Flights, where members accompany older veterans to Washington, D.C. to visit war memorials and organizing in activities, like the group that marched in yesterday’s 2025 New York City Veterans Day parade.
Another recent and heartwarming example of the Veterans ERG’s impact is the support they provided to fellow employee Brendan, a load forecast analyst for NYPA who was deployed to Syria on duty. To ease Brendan’s time overseas, the Veterans ERG sent care packages filled with canned food and non-perishable items to Brendan and his unit. These gestures of support were deeply appreciated by Brendan and his fellow soldiers, who often faced long hours and limited food options.
Upon his return to NYPA, Brendan had the opportunity to express his gratitude. At an employee meeting, Brendan presented the Veterans ERG with an American flag that had flown our organization’s honor at the Rumalyn Landing Zone in Syria.
“I know the effort that NYPA made to send that package over,” Brendan said. “When we were working long hours and there weren’t a lot of food options, having those canned goods really went a long way. This was my way of showing gratitude.”
Brendan’s experience underscores the sense of community and support that our ERGs provide. Whether through mentorship, professional growth opportunities or tangible acts of kindness, they play a crucial role in fostering a culture where everyone belongs and contributes.
As Brendan aptly put it, “I felt very proud. And it really made me appreciate the team. It’s a reminder that we have a good community going here.”
Our ERGs cover a wide range of topics, interests and life experiences, from the Eco Team’s sustainability initiatives to the Pride in Power Allyship group’s efforts in promoting LGBTQ+ visibility and inclusion, and more. Each ERG offers something unique and meaningful, encouraging all employees to attend meetings and events to listen, learn and be allies.
ABLE (Abilities Beyond Limits and Expectations) - The ABLE ERG promotes awareness, understanding, and acceptance of neurological differences and disabilities, and to advocate for policies and practices that support all employees
Eco Team - The Eco Team drives awareness of the benefits of sustainability through educational seminars, personal development, consumer choice and the EcoCinema film series.
Generations - Generations provides engagement opportunities to help build relationships across different generations of employees.
Multicultural - Multicultural focuses on creating an inclusive, diverse environment that welcomes, respects, develops and leverages our individual differences as a competitive strength.
Pride in Power Allyship - Pride in Power Allyship (PIPA) is committed to maintaining a safe, supportive work environment and is open to all employees who identify as LGBTQ+ or their allies.
Veterans -Veterans provides employees who served in the Armed Forces, and their allies, with a network of peer support and targeted professional and personal development opportunities.
Women in Power - Women in Power (WIP) develops leadership skills that enable women employees to achieve their maximum potential in a diverse, inclusive and challenging work environment.
As our organization moves forward, the expansion of ERG offerings promises even more opportunities for employees to connect, learn and grow together. By participating in ERGs, NYPA and Canals employees can gain new insights, build meaningful relationships and contribute to a workplace culture that celebrates diversity.