#United States #Akron #FirstEnergy #Jennifer Lawless #Enterprise Learning

FirstEnergy Appoints Jennifer Lawless as Vice President of Enterprise Learning

On April 9, 2026, FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE) announced the appointment of Jennifer Lawless as the Vice President of Enterprise Learning. This strategic move is designed to foster ongoing cultural transformation within the company, promoting continuous improvement in performance and supporting the growth of its workforce. Lawless will play a crucial role in implementing FirstEnergy’s learning and development strategy aimed at creating an agile and engaged workforce.

In her new position, Lawless will be responsible for enhancing leadership capabilities across the organization, modernizing learning technologies, and nurturing a culture that prioritizes accountability, safety, and innovation. Reporting directly to Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer, Karen McClendon, Lawless's extensive background uniquely positions her to drive these initiatives forward.

Background of Jennifer Lawless

Before joining FirstEnergy, Jennifer Lawless held the position of Training Director at Exelon Utilities. During her tenure, she set a strategic direction for training that served more than 42,000 employees and contractors. She was instrumental in developing a centralized training organization and upgrading the learning management system. Lawless applied the ADDIE model—a systematic approach to training—to develop tailored leadership programs for various levels within the organization, including field leaders, supervisors, managers, directors, and executives. Her previous roles at Exelon Utilities and its Nuclear Generation branch further involved senior positions focusing on workforce development, change management, and instructor certification programs, contributing to advancements in safety and performance alongside modern learning methodologies.

Karen McClendon praised Lawless’s capabilities, stating, "Jennifer brings extensive experience leading transformational learning and development initiatives in large, matrixed utility organizations. Her ability to translate business strategy into meaningful learning experiences will help ensure our employees are equipped to grow, adapt and succeed as we continue to strengthen FirstEnergy's performance and culture."

Academic Credentials

Lawless's academic credentials further solidify her expertise; she holds a Master of Science in Education and a Bachelor of Science in Sociology and Secondary Social Studies Education from the State University of New York at Cortland. Additionally, she holds several professional certifications in learning and leadership development, which include certifications as a Certified Performance Learning Professional (ATD), Workplace DiSC, and MBTI.

About FirstEnergy Corp.

FirstEnergy Corp. is committed to integrity, safety, reliability, and operational excellence. As one of the nation’s largest investor-owned electric systems, it serves over 6 million customers in Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, West Virginia, Maryland, and New York. The company's transmission subsidiaries manage approximately 24,000 miles of transmission lines connecting the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions. For more on FirstEnergy's initiatives, you can visit their website at firstenergycorp.com or follow them on X @FirstEnergyCorp.

Jennifer Lawless's leadership is expected to play a pivotal role as FirstEnergy navigates the challenges and opportunities of the future, ensuring their workforce remains equipped for ongoing success and adaptation in an ever-evolving industry landscape.