Kathy Wisnewski, director of Customer and Community Management for Long Island at National Grid.

Kathy is responsible for managing the Long Island Community and Customer Management team. The team manages community stakeholder relationships and promotes efficiency programs to gas accounts for local government, federal and state, and colleges and universities. In addition, Kathy leads and promotes science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) learning and looks to create opportunities for youth in her local community.

Kathy joined National Grid in 1989 as a Conservation Energy Specialist. In her 30 years plus with National Grid, she has held management positions in various departments including Marketing, Sales and Major Accounts.

Kathy was recently was highlighted in the City & State’s Long Island Power 100, Long Island list which highlights the 100 most powerful figures of Island and in 2021. She was also recognized by Long Island Business News as one of the 50 Top Business Leaders on Long Island in 2017.

Kathy serves on the Board of Directors of Vision Long Island where she supports Smart Growth and brings her expertise of commercial business and a variety of National Grid programs. She is also on the Advisory Board for New Ground Inc., which provides education and assistance to families and veterans caught in the vicious cycle of homelessness.

Kathy also served on the board of Girls Inc. of Long Island for a total of nine years, four of which she was Co-chair. Girls Inc. of Long Island encourages all girls to be, strong, smart, and bold.

The organization is close to her heart especially since she raised two daughters, and often speaks about the importance of encouraging young girls at an impressionable age to strive for their best. She wants every girl to be able to have the same valuable opportunities that she had growing up on Long Island. Kathy has empowered girls to explore careers in STEAM including in the energy and engineering sector.

Kathy is a long-time resident of Lindenhurst where she lives with her husband Bill and two dogs.

How do you see your business evolving due to changing times?
• While National Grid has had a long, proud legacy of community involvement, we see an opportunity to have an even greater impact in the communities where we live and work. As we continue our efforts to bring the clean energy future to our customers, we recognize our responsibility to ensure nobody is left behind in that transition.

From neighborhood beautification to workforce development, we’re thinking beyond our conventional energy delivery services and helping to create a more equitable future for every customer and neighborhood we serve. To get there, we must create the workforce that will help build New York’s clean energy infrastructure.

What advice would you give other business owners?
• My advice is to remain flexible, adapt and pivot to the changing times and “think outside the box”. In addition, businesses need to look at ways to incorporate energy efficiency and clean energy to run their business efficiently. This will not only reduce their operating expenses but also make Long Island a greener place to live.

Businesses must invest in their workforce, provide training, and look for ways to attract and retain young talent. Long Island is a beautiful place to live and raise a family and we all have a responsibility to play a role and give young people a reason to stay.