York College Executive Leadership Breakfast Speaker Monica Alston Encourages Visionary Thinking

There’s more to the National Grid company than work crews closing roads for gas and electrical repairs. Monica (Harper) Alston, vice president of Safety, Health & Environmental (SHE), Risk and Compliance at National Grid talked about her compelling global leadership journey on Tuesday at York College’s annual Executive Leadership Breakfast (ELB), the third ELB sponsored by National Grid.

Table and chairs in the executive dining filled with students, faculty, and staff for an inspiring event meant to empower future leaders and innovative career goals. Mrs. Alston's New York business team performed a skit that gave insight on job positions and duties within National Grid that aren't normally associated with one of the world's largest investor-owned utilities. Positions such as licensed health workers, operational risks managers, and public safety and environmental sustainability managers.

Mrs. Alston said she was compelled to join National Grid because “… we want to lead. I like leading. You can lead from the front, and you can lead from behind, so it's not about a title. I like leading. I like pushing. I like stretching, and that resonated with me. I wanted to lead in the energy transition.” Before opening the floor to Q&A, Mrs. Alston offered three philosophies as she reflected on her career: 1) Stay In the Game 2) Stay Positive 3) Stay Well.

Before the breakfast concluded, Juan Santiago, a manager at National Grid and a York College Foundation board member, presented interim York President Claudia Schrader with a giant-size check for $10,000 to support the One York Emergency Relief Fund, which assists York College students experiencing financial hardships and seeking help.