A dedicated supporter who has donated over $1 million since 2002, Enbridge is one of YES Prep’s first corporate donors and has consistently supported YES Prep for 20 years.
Enbridge annually invests in YES Prep’s mission-critical programs including our College Initiatives program, Leading Excellence leadership development program, back-to-school supply drives, Keep YES Prep Learning virtual distance learning program and, most recently, our annual Student Affinity Summits.
We asked Regan Kasman, Enbridge’s Senior Advisor, Corporate Citizenship, to share with us more about Enbridge and their unwavering commitment to our YES Prep students, staff and communities we serve.
Can you share some context of when and how Enbridge first became involved in YES Prep?
Our company became aware of YES Prep Public Schools in 2002. A member of the YES Prep board at the time invited the community relations team to come to tour the campus off I-10 and Hardy (YES Prep Southeast Secondary’s original location). The tour was compelling, and we made our first investment in support of the Math and Science Teacher Professional Development program.
How long have you been with Enbridge, and what is your role?
I have been with the company since November 2002. My title is Senior Advisor, Corporate Citizenship. The Corporate Citizenship team has responsibility for Fueling Futures which brings together Enbridge’s ongoing efforts in the areas of corporate citizenship, donations, sponsorships and employee volunteering and giving. I look after our partnerships and employees in Houston in addition to supporting three regions across the U.S. with their giving while supporting employees as they access Fueling Futures. I work on our diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I) portfolio across the US and lead our United Way effort enterprise-wide.
Why did supporting YES Prep’s student affinity summits resonate with Enbridge?
Enbridge’s success is built on a diverse, respectful and inclusive workplace. We encourage diversity in our workplace because we understand that different backgrounds, abilities and perspectives will help keep us innovative and dynamic.
DE&I is foundational for the company so the opportunity to support the student affinity summits aligns with our core values and was the perfect place to invest our funding this year.
Enbridge has not only supported YES Prep financially but has provided support in other ways. Can you speak about that support?
This year, Enbridge employees were proud to volunteer and serve as panelists at the student affinity summits. John James (Technical Manager Enterprise Resource Planning Transformation, Supply Chain Management) and Kim Jackson (Manager, Operations Programs, Gas Transmission) participated in the Brotherhood and Sisterhood Summit. Liz Perez (Business Development Specialist, Gas Transmission), Carolina Rivera (Specialist Category Management Professional Services) and Maria Marcano (Sr. Project Engineer) joined the Latinx Summit. These Enbridge staff members provided insightful professional and personal advice to students centering on their experiences as members of those affinity groups.
Enbridge has also participated in several back-to-school supply drives for students and provided leadership through previous Board of Directors members, and Andy Drake currently serves on the Advisory Council.
As a longtime friend and supporter of YES Prep, can you share any personal highlights or experiences that come to mind from Enbridge's partnership with YES Prep?
I find Senior Signing Day incredibly moving! I was in the common area at the campus at I-10 and Hardy when two or three 6-foot tables were set up so the students could announce where they were going to college. The last in-person Senior Signing Day I attended was at NRG when 1,300 plus students announced where they were going to college. The pride felt by their families and the promise felt by the younger students is incredible. I can’t think about Senior Signing Day without getting goosebumps!
Why does Enbridge believe so strongly in continuing to support YES Prep?
I have seen YES Prep grow over the past 20 years and have watched the impact on the students served, their families, their communities and Houston as a whole. We all benefit from investing in the education of children across our community.
YES Prep had one campus when we began our partnership, the fact that there are soon to be 25 YES Prep campuses serving over 17,000 college-bound students is incredible and a testament to the solid investment YES Prep yields.
Thank you, Regan Kasman, for giving us more insight into Enbridge’s support of YES Prep Public Schools.
YES Prep Corporate Partnership program offers several ways for companies to get involved: volunteering, career speaker, internships and in-kind donations. If you would like to learn more about these opportunities, click here.