Community Commitment
September 16, 2024
Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month at Xcel Energy
Our Xcelente employee group weighs in on the importance of community and heritage
As we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, Xcel Energy takes pride in recognizing the invaluable contributions of our Hispanic employees. Our business resource group (BRG), Xcelente, plays a crucial role in fostering a culture of respect, understanding and collaboration, promoting the rich heritage and diverse perspectives of our Hispanic workforce and ensuring that every voice is heard and valued.
“Our Xcelente business resource group works tirelessly to build a more inclusive, respectful, and diverse Xcel Energy,” said Adrian Rodriguez, president, Xcel Energy – New Mexico and Texas. “The team also serves as a tremendous resource for our Hispanic and non-Hispanic employees to promote career development, continued education, training and cultural awareness, and my work with them as an executive sponsor has been among the highlights of my time at Xcel Energy so far.”
Hispanic Heritage Month is an annual celebration that honors the history, culture and contributions of Hispanic and Latino Americans. While it began as Hispanic Heritage Week in 1968, it has since expanded to a month-long celebration, taking place from September 15 to October 15. In the decades since Hispanic Heritage Month began, it has served as a critical moment to commemorate the ways Hispanic and Latino communities have influenced and contributed to American society.
“At Xcel Energy, we are committed to creating a workforce that is ready to support our cleaner energy future. We will only do this by building an engaged employee base, that is truly representative of the communities we serve,” said Patricia Correa, SVP and chief human resources officer. “This is why I am a proud supporter of all our business resource groups and the strategic role they play in helping us shape the workforce of the future. I look forward to spending these next four weeks celebrating the rich contributions of our Hispanic employees to our communities and to Xcel Energy.”
In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, we asked several employees what this celebration means to them and how their participation in the Xcelente BRG impacts their experience at Xcel Energy.
From left to right: Melissa Mercado, Bob Zaragoza, Marissa Cardenas and Ashley Perala
Melissa Mercado, Billing Support Analyst
What does Hispanic Heritage Month mean to you?
Hispanic Heritage Month is a time to celebrate and honor the history, contributions and achievements of our communities, both locally and world-wide!
How has the Xcelente BRG contributed to a more inclusive and supportive environment at Xcel Energy?
The BRG has connected me with a group of individuals in the company who have the same desire to learn, bring awareness to and celebrate our rich culture. It’s also a great way to actively see representation while at work.
What inspired you to join Xcelente, and how has being a part of this group impacted you?
After learning there was a BRG group that was centered around the Hispanic culture, I wanted to join as a way to network and connect with other professionals of similar background. Being a part of this group has illuminated the hard work and diversity within Xcel Energy. The events are also incredibly fun and everyone I’ve met is easygoing and lighthearted.
What was one of the most memorable moments or experiences that you’ve had while being a member of Xcelente?
The most memorable moment I’ve had as a member of Xcelente was getting to lead a salsa-making class. In addition to meeting a great group of attendees, I was challenged on my communication and public speaking skills. Both are important to me and my development as a professional.
Bob Zaragoza, Sr. Product Portfolio Manager
What does Hispanic Heritage Month mean to you?
Hispanic Heritage Month is an opportunity to spotlight and recognize our culture and contributions. It’s a time to unite, generate awareness and demonstrate our diversity within and outside our communities.
How has the Xcelente BRG contributed to a more inclusive and supportive environment at Xcel Energy?
Xcelente has broadened engagement and introduced new talent and allies. Our members, allies, ambassadors and leaders come from diverse backgrounds, offering programming and leadership opportunities to grow and develop skills.
What inspired you to join Xcelente, and how has being part of this group impacted you?
My inspiration to join Xcelente stemmed from my long-standing involvement in Hispanic cultural activities and social issues. Xcel Energy and the Xcelente BRG provided a corporate platform to continue this work through mentoring Latino students for over eight years, donating to the community via the United Way, leading a pro-bono project for a MN Hispanic non-profit, and engaging in Latino Chamber events and affiliated associations outside of work. This involvement has allowed me to grow personally and professionally, and to contribute even more to a community that has given me so much.
What was one of the most memorable moments or experiences that you’ve had while being a member of Xcelente?
Watching Xcelente reemerge with new leaders and ideas has been inspiring. I am pleased with our incremental steps to change the culture and create new opportunities within our BRG and at Xcel Energy.
Marissa Cardenas, Residential Supervisor, Customer Contact Center
What does Hispanic Heritage Month mean to you?
HHM means that people of my same culture and background get to be noticed, recognized, and celebrated for the many contributions to our society and to our communities.
How has the Xcelente BRG contributed to a more inclusive and supportive environment at Xcel Energy?
Xcelente has allowed me to not have to explain the way that I exist in the world. As an indigenous Mexican woman of color, my experiences and hardships are unique and it’s wonderful that I can express that in a non-judgmental space where many of my peers have been through similar experiences.
What inspired you to join Xcelente, and how has being a part of this group impacted you?
I loved the energy and camaraderie that Xcelente events provided. This group has impacted me in ways that I never imagined. It has allowed me to proudly share and champion my culture with others in the workspace.
What was one of the most memorable moments or experiences that you’ve had while being a member of Xcelente?
Hosting cooking classes has been incredible -- being able to share something that I feel is so central to Latino culture. Food brings people together. As the saying goes: “Barriga llena, corazon contenta,” which means: “stomach full, heart full.”
Ashley Perala, Social Investments Representative
What does Hispanic Heritage Month mean to you?
To me, Hispanic Heritage Month offers a lot to celebrate; the people, the multiple cultures represented, stories, passion, trials, triumphs -- the list can go on. There is so much that Hispanic Heritage Month represents.
How has the Xcelente BRG contributed to a more inclusive and supportive environment at Xcel Energy?
Xcelente has worked really hard over the years to reenergize our BRG and focus on how we can contribute to a more inclusive and supportive environment at Xcel Energy. Our current leadership of Xcelente represents not only the diversity that makes up the Latine and Hispanic culture, but also is made up of those who do not identify as Hispanic or Latine and feel strongly about supporting our efforts, learning and participating. We are all able to bring our different backgrounds to the table and think creatively on how we can continue be an asset to employees and the company.
What was one of the most memorable moments you’ve had while being a member of Xcelente?
One of my favorite experiences of being part of Xcelente are the different community organizations we have been able to support and network with across all of our states. There are a lot of amazing organizations that work to support and uplift the Latine and Hispanic community and I feel grateful that we have been able to volunteer and support these organizations in different ways to make a meaningful impact.
From left to right: Sofia Troutman, Randy Cantu and Angel Sanchez Mojarro
Sofia Troutman, Program Manager for Partners in Energy
What does Hispanic Heritage Month mean to you?
It is an opportunity to reflect on the contributions of the Hispanic/Latine communities in the United States and the world. It also challenges me to think about how I, in a position of relative privilege help others in my community who are less fortunate. Finally, it is a reminder to celebrate and share our wonderful culture through our history, music, food, language and family centered values.
What inspired you to join Xcelente, and how has been a part of this group impacted you?
I wanted to connect with others in the company and have opportunities to utilize my bicultural roots to share my culture and connect other colleagues with similar values. I have enjoyed volunteering, celebrating our heritage and learning from other members and from the community.
What was one of the most memorable moments or experiences that you’ve had while being a member of Xcelente?
I enjoyed volunteering with the Latino Economic Development Center and attending some of the social events. A highlight was attending the Comunidades Latinas Unidas en Servicio (CLUES) gala where we were able to hear from inspiring community members doing work to help people struggling with mental health challenges.
Randy Cantu, Sr. Director Contact Center Operations
What does Hispanic Heritage Month mean to you?
Hispanic Heritage Month is a dedicated period for me to recognize and appreciate the vibrant culture, history and significant contributions of the Hispanic/Latino community.
How has the Xcelente BRG contributed to a more inclusive and supportive environment at Xcel Energy?
Xcelente has reorganized, bringing in new talent and ideas to foster inclusivity and give everyone a voice. Our new structure has improved meeting productivity and efficiency through agendas, shared work folders, and communication channels. We are also enhancing our relationships and partnering with other BRGs to broaden our external outreach.
What inspired you to join Xcelente, and how has being part of this group impacted you?
I enjoy participating in a community that honors and educates others about the Hispanic culture. The connections and relationships developed have been motivating and have provided me with a sense of belonging.
Angel Sanchez Mojarro, Reliability engineer at Cherokee Generating Station
What does Hispanic Heritage Month mean to you?
Hispanic Heritage Month is a way to celebrate culture and heritage. I have strong roots from Mexico as both my parents emigrated from Mexico City to Denver. My Mexican culture is part of my identity.
How has the Xcelente BRG contributed to a more inclusive and supportive environment at Xcel Energy?
Xcelente is a great way to connect with members of all backgrounds. The events and comradery create a very inviting environment where I feel proud to express and share my culture.
What inspired you to join Xcelente, and how has being a part of this group impacted you?
I was inspired to join Xcelente as I was a Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE) member during my college career. Xcelente does student outreach which is a passion of mine which has evolved to me being the SHPE Student Director.
What was one of the most memorable moments or experiences that you’ve had while being a member of Xcelente?
My most memorable experience was leading an SHPE tour with CU Denver. It was great to connect with engineering students and share how their skills translate into power generation!