Welcome to the AES Indiana 2023 Community Impact Report Media Kit. This kit is designed to provide media partners with comprehensive resources to report on AES Indiana's impactful contributions to the community in 2023.
AES Indiana Releases 2023 Community Impact Report
AES Indiana invests more than $2 Million for community and economic development
Indianapolis, IN – April 15, 2024 – Today, AES Indiana, a subsidiary of The AES Corporation (NYSE: AES), released its 2023 Community Impact Report, Illuminating Indiana. The digital report details the Company’s more than $2 million of investments in economic development and community empowerment and provides updates on its investments in education and workforce development, arts and culture, economic development, and diversity, equity, and inclusion. AES Indiana’s corporate giving is centered around its purpose of Accelerating the future of energy, together. The report is available online at: aesindiana.com/community/2023-community-report.
“Giving back is core to who we are and at the heart of everything we do,” said Brandi Davis-Handy, President of AES Indiana. “We are more than just your local utility, and we understand our responsibility to make a positive impact in the communities we serve. This report illuminates our commitment to transparency and accountability as a corporate citizen and highlights the ways in which we are building a sustainable, more resilient community that benefits us all.”
Highlights of the company’s 2023 investments include:
Arts & Culture
For the third year, AES Indiana continued as the Title Sponsor of BUTTER, the annual multi-day art fair celebrating equity. Growing in popularity, BUTTER featured 49 artists, four galleries and six curators, all recognized on national and local levels. BUTTER raised nearly $300k in sales with 100% going back to the Black artists featured at the event.
Economic Development
AES Indiana again brought the community and its people together in May. Lineworkers kicked off the month by volunteering for the 500 Festival Mini Marathon, with their bucket trucks serving as mile markers along the course for runners and walkers. The month culminated with more than 200,000 people watching the AES 500 Festival Parade in downtown Indianapolis. Since its founding, the 500 Festival has contributed more than $500 million in economic value to Indianapolis.
Customer Needs
AES Indiana completed its fourth year of Power of Change, a program designed to help income-qualified customers experiencing hardship with a one-time grant to assist with electric bill payments. Through the Dollar Energy Fund, a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit, contributors can make tax-deductible gifts that help their neighbors keep their lights on. Last year, 212 households received a grant.
Environment
The AES Indiana Project GreenSpace, a Keep Indianapolis Beautiful (KIB) program, turns vacant lots into functional community spaces, such as pocket parks or outdoor classrooms. Alongside researchers from the University of Michigan School of Public Health, KIB has been studying greenspaces and their potential impact on violence reduction. This recent study found a 12% reduction in gun violence within a half-mile radius of areas where KIB has created GreenSpaces.
To read more stories of how AES Indiana is making a difference in our communities, click here to view the 2023 AES Indiana Community Impact Report, Illuminating Indiana.
About AES Indiana
AES Indiana, an AES Company, provides retail provides retail electric service to more than 500,000 residential, commercial and industrial customers in Indianapolis, as well as portions of other Central Indiana communities surrounding Marion County. During its long history, AES Indiana has supplied its customers with some of the lowest-cost, most reliable power in the country. Connect with AES Indiana on X, Facebook and LinkedIn. For more information about how AES Indiana is accelerating the future of energy, visit aesindiana.com.
AES Indiana 2023 community impact report: Illuminating Indiana
In 2023, AES Indiana reaffirmed its commitment to community and economic development through strategic investments exceeding $2 million, underpinning our dedication to empowering the diverse communities we serve. Our approach to corporate giving—centered around the purpose of accelerating the future of energy together—has led to impactful partnerships in education and workforce development, arts and culture, economic development, diversity, equity and inclusion. This year’s community impact report, Illuminating Indiana, not only highlights these investments but also showcases our commitment to transparency, accountability, and building a sustainable, resilient community. Davis-Handy, president of AES Indiana, emphasizes that giving back is at the core of our identity and pivotal to our operations. Through initiatives like BUTTER, the Power of Change program and Project GreenSpace, AES Indiana is driving positive change, reflecting our role as more than just a local utility.
2023 AES Indiana community contributions
- Total investment: Over $2 million in community and economic development.
- Strategic focus areas: Education and workforce development, arts and culture, economic development, diversity, equity, and inclusion.
- Diverse contributions: 57% directed towards diversity-driven organizations, affirming our commitment to inclusivity and equity.
- Customer impact: Through programs like Power of Change, 212 households received crucial support, without passing the cost of these initiatives to our customers.
- Arts and culture: AES Indiana proudly sponsored BUTTER, facilitating nearly $300k in sales, all benefiting Black artists.
- Economic development: Volunteering and sponsorship efforts, such as the 500 Festival, generated significant economic value and community engagement.
- Environmental initiatives: Project GreenSpace contributed to a 12% reduction in gun violence, showcasing the broader social benefits of our environmental projects.
Our corporate giving is driven by the mission to accelerate the future of energy with a focus on transparency, accountability, and sustainable community benefits.
Yes, from sponsoring the art fair BUTTER, supporting 212 households through the Power of Change program to environmental initiatives like Project GreenSpace reducing gun violence, our contributions are wide-ranging and impactful.
We are committed to not passing on the costs of our community investments or advertising to our customers, ensuring we support our community while maintaining affordability.
Beyond providing reliable, low-cost power, AES Indiana views itself as a catalyst for positive change, actively working to empower youth, enhance cultural richness, and foster environmental sustainability in Central Indiana.
Ken Zagzebski
Ken Zagzebski is Senior Vice President of AES, President of AES Utilities and CEO of AES Indiana and AES Ohio. Ken served as the Chief Operating Officer of AES Clean Energy and VP, Global Integrated EPC, where he implemented practices for the business to achieve the level of scale in the growth targets.
Prior positions with the company include President of the AES US Strategic Business Unit, President of AES Southland Energy, President and CEO of Indianapolis Power & Light (IPL) and Senior Vice President of Customer Operations.
Ken is an experienced energy executive with operational and financial leadership experience, domestically and internationally. Prior to joining AES in 2007, Ken worked at Xcel Energy as the Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Field Operations and several other leadership positions including the Executive Director of the company’s Asia-Pacific region with responsibility for the company’s regional investments primarily located in Australia.
Ken holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire and an MBA from the Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota. He currently Chairs the Marian University Educators College Board of Visitors and is on the Greater Indianapolis Progress Committee (GIPC) executive committee.
Brandi Davis-Handy
Brandi Davis-Handy has more than 20 years of leadership, customer and stakeholder engagement, communications, and marketing experience. Today, Brandi serves as President of AES Indiana where she leads a team focused on providing exceptional customer experience to more than 520, 000 customers while accelerating efforts to provide reliable, affordable and sustainable solutions. Prior to assuming the role of President, Brandi served as the Chief Customer Officer for the AES US Utilities covering Indiana and Ohio, demonstrating her dedication to enhancing customer relations within the company. Before joining AES, she held the position of Chief Marketing and Communications Officer at Project Lead The Way and led communications teams at OneAmerica Financial Partners and the American Cancer Society.
Brandi is an active community leader in Central Indiana serving as Board President of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Indiana, Board President of GangGang Culture, and board member for the Indy Chamber, Indiana Energy Association, Indiana Sports Corporation, 500 Festival, Urban League of Central Indiana and Lynx Capital Corporation.
She is a graduate of the Stanley K. Lacy Executive Leadership Series and Leadership Dayton. Brandi is also a founding member of the African American Legacy Fund of Indianapolis, which is focused on raising awareness and advocating on issues affecting the African American community.
Brandi has been recognized as a 2022 Woman of Influence by the Indianapolis Business Journal, Center for Leadership Development Minority Achiever in Media and Communications in 2018 and was the recipient of the Breakthrough Woman in Leadership Development Award for 2018 from the National Coalition of 100 Black Women.
Brandi received her B.A. in Mass Media Arts from Hampton University.
