DLC recently welcomed Jennifer Kustra to the Executive Leadership Team (ELT) as our vice president and chief human resources officer (CHRO). In her new position with us, Jenn is focused on advancing our employee experience and retention efforts while overseeing all our core strategic HR functions.
She’s also playing a leading role in building on the foundation we have established over the past few years to become a “people first” organization that fosters two-way dialogue, promotes breakthrough thinking and delivers extraordinary outcomes. Through these efforts, our long-term goal is to establish DLC as an employer of choice for the region that attracts and retains the most talented individuals to serve our community.
What is it about our mission, vision and culture that brought you to DLC and the role in general?
During the hiring and onboarding process, there were three really distinct things that stood out to me about DLC: purpose, people and possibility. There is something incredibly meaningful about working for a company that people depend on every day. DLC’s vision of creating a larger-than-light, clean energy future, while delivering exceptional results today, reflects the balance every strong organization must achieve. This vision honors the responsibility we have now while preparing boldly for what comes next.
I was also drawn to the emphasis in our mission statement on being a trusted partner. That is central to how I believe HR should operate. My commitment is to bring “extreme partnership” to DLC. Through this, my goal is that we are deeply connected to our people and our business, solving difficult problems together and being willing to have the honest conversations that help us become stronger. DLC has tremendous talent, history and pride. I wanted to be somewhere where the work matters, where people care deeply about what they do and where I could help shape what comes next. I found that here.
What is the most rewarding part of your job? \u200b
To me, the most rewarding part about my role as a leader and team member is seeing what happens when people realize they are capable of more than they thought they were. I’ve had the privilege of watching people grow into leaders, teams completely transform and organizations accomplish things that once seemed incredibly difficult. Those moments stay with you. Ultimately, businesses are built by people and helping create the conditions where people and organizations can thrive is what keeps me passionate about this work.
Are there any skills, perspectives or experiences from your professional background that you hope to bring to this new role?
Coming into my new role at DLC, I bring more than 20 years of HR experience – much of it supporting complex, operational organizations with frontline and represented workforces. That experience taught me the importance of understanding the work, listening to the people closest to it and connecting people decisions directly to business outcomes. I have also had a lot of great experiences helping organizations navigate transformation, strengthen leadership, build talent and work through difficult issues. My intent is to always strive for this without losing sight of the people involved. Most importantly, I hope to bring a mindset of “extreme partnership” as I mentioned previously. I want people to experience HR as a partner that is in it with them – a strategic partner who is equally invested in our people, our performance and our future.
What are you most excited about as part of recently rejoining the Pittsburgh region full-time?
Pittsburgh is very much home to me. It is a place that shaped me as the person that I am and has given so much to me both personally and professionally. There truly is something meaningful about doing work that directly affects the region where I live and the communities I care about. This region has tremendous pride, resilience and a strong sense of community. I’m excited to contribute to a company that plays such an essential role here and to build relationships with the people and organizations helping shape the region’s future. There is also something incredibly grounding about bringing my professional and personal worlds closer together.
Is there anything in particular that has stood out to you the most about DLC during your first several months with the organization?
If there is one thing about our people and culture that I’ve taken note of since joining DLC it is the pride. I hear it when people talk about their teams, their work and the responsibility we have to our customers and communities. I’ve also been impressed by the amount of knowledge inside this organization. People have spent years – sometimes entire careers – learning this business and serving this region. I want to honor that experience while also creating space for new ideas. I think organizations become stronger when we can appreciate what got us here while remaining curious about what could take us further.
What company value do you identify with most and why?
When thinking about our company values, the one that I identify most with is Integrity. Trust is foundational to everything … leadership, relationships, culture and performance. For me, integrity means doing what you say you are going to do, being willing to have honest conversations and making the right decision even when it isn’t the easiest one. Trust takes time to build. I intend to earn it.
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