We are excited to introduce Rebecca Lynch, Director of Talent Management at Con Edison, as a featured speaker at the Utility Change Conference East 2026.
Rebecca leads workforce development, talent acquisition, leadership programs, and more for one of the nation’s largest utility companies. In this “Meet the Speaker” feature, she shares her personal story, career journey in the energy sector, and her passion for developing people.
1. What’s your name, title, and company—and if your role were a superhero alias, what would it be and why?
Rebecca Lynch, Director of Talent Management, Con Edison
Wonder Woman! Wonder Woman’s brains, beauty, courage, strength, heart, cool jewelry, and sick airplane were everything!
2. From your hometown to your current home, how has family shaped the map of your life? What’s one quirky tradition that still makes you smile?
I’m a coal miner’s daughter and granddaughter who grew up in the beautiful hills of West Virginia. The bible belt. Uber rural. Everyone knew everyone. I grew up chasing fireflies and making mud pies.
My family rallied around all my pursuits—from community theatre to math team and talent competitions—with their cowbells ringing from the crowd, signaling their presence, love and support. As a result, I’ve plagued my daughters with an ever-present clanging cowbell throughout all their endeavors much to their dismay.
How surprised was I years later when my daughter mentioned during a leadership award acceptance speech how much that cowbell meant to her as she was growing up. Moral: Yes, we need more cowbell.
3. Trace your energy/utility adventure in three moves; what unexpected turn led you to where you are today?
Move 1: The first half of my career was in customer operations learning the mass market vs the corporate customer sides of the business, building development programs for employees and customer communications programs and policy.
Move 2: Director of technical learning (electric, gas, steam) for the enterprise.
Move 3: Director of talent management (leadership development, early career programs, workforce development, people analytics, conflict resolution, performance management talent acquisition, succession planning).
4. When the workday fades, what’s the hobby or family escape that recharges your creative batteries—like a secret weapon for your next big idea?
I can be found digging in my garden, toes in the sand or at the theatre.
5. Picture yourself 365 days from now, what’s the bold milestone you’re chasing, and how will it ripple into your future?
A year from now we will have implemented new learning management, performance management, career development and compensation systems. It will provide an integrated platform, greater transparency and self-service to employees plus the ability to leverage more digital learning tools and elevate learning retention.
6. What’s the trickiest challenge you’re tackling right now, and what’s one clever hack (or hilarious mishap) that’s helping you crack it?
The implementation of our new learning management, performance management, career development and compensation systems. We have pulled key SMEs out of their jobs and put them on the project and are creating a deep network of change ambassadors across the enterprise to help us bring the workforce along gracefully. Change is not easy, but essential.
7. Who is your role model—name them, share the “why” that resonates, and how their wisdom sneaks into your daily grind?
Joan Jacobs was my mentor and boss for many years. She led with courage, grace, a questioning attitude, had the gift of connecting with people at all levels making them feel seen, and she championed worthy causes others abandoned.
Remember those few teachers who we never ever wanted to disappoint? That’s Joan. Her presence calls others to a higher standard. I am grateful to have had the privilege of working alongside her. The lessons in leadership and the human spirit I learned from Joan have helped shape me.
8. Your top ambition right now! What’s the audacious target you’re locked on, and what’s the action that makes it feel achievable?
There just might be a book about resilience and leading from the heart coming soon. Stay tuned.
9. What’s motivating you RIGHT NOW? A breakthrough project, wild idea, or upcoming event that has you counting down the days?
In January, we are celebrating the graduation of ~300 employees who are entering into first line supervisory roles—the most in the company’s history. These women and men—most of whom are transitioning from union roles and others who are recent college graduates—have successfully completed our rigorous 24-month training and development programs and play critical roles in ensuring Con Edison maintains a sustainable leadership pipeline for years to come.
10. What are you grateful for RIGHT NOW? What’s the one thing (big or small) you’re overflowing with thanks for—and how does it fuel your fire?
You may think your team is the best, but mine is the greatest. They are part rockstar, part wizard, loaded with positivity and creativity, and have the courage to share “bad news” and alternative points of view. They are my greatest source of professional pride and inspiration. They make me better and fuel my fire!
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.