Sherri Frazier

I attribute my success to a commitment to continuous learning, authenticity, and the courage to lead with vulnerability. I’ve always had a strong desire to go beyond what’s required, whether that meant earning my master’s degree, obtaining my career coaching certification, or completing my PHR. Those weren’t expectations of my roles, but personal commitments to growth that have strengthened my leadership and broadened my perspective.

Equally important is my willingness to listen, learn, and stay motivated. I believe growth comes from remaining open, open to feedback, new ideas, and different ways of thinking. That mindset has allowed me to continuously evolve and better serve both my team and the business.

I also believe vulnerability is one of my greatest strengths as a leader. I’m not afraid to acknowledge that I don’t have all the answers or to own my mistakes. When I do, I create space for trust, transparency, and accountability within my team. It reinforces that we’re all human, and that growth comes from learning, not perfection.

The best career advice I’ve ever received was to focus on choosing my next manager, not just the company. Early in my career, I was drawn to well-known organizations, particularly large healthcare systems. While those opportunities were valuable, I eventually realized that the person you report to can have an even greater impact on your success and growth.

When I pursued my current role, I approached the interview process with a different mindset. I was intentional about evaluating my future manager just as much as she was evaluating me. From the beginning, there was a strong connection and mutual respect, and I knew it would be a partnership where I could truly make an impact.

Choosing the right leader has made a significant difference in my career. I found a manager who empowers me to be authentic, encourages creativity, and provides guidance when needed without limiting innovation. That balance has allowed me to bring my full self to the role, take risks, and drive meaningful change.

That advice ultimately shifted how I approach career decisions, and it has been a defining factor in my growth and success.

I would tell others: never let anyone tell you what you can’t do. Throughout my career, and especially through my work in career coaching, I’ve seen many talented women doubt themselves or be overly critical of their own abilities. It’s important to block out those limiting beliefs, whether they come from others or from within.

If there’s something you want to achieve, don’t let your background, your circumstances, or even your level of formal education stand in your way. Success doesn’t come from a single path, it comes from determination, resilience, and the willingness to keep going.

Just as important, have a plan. Take the time to understand what excites and motivates you, map out your goals, and be intentional about how you pursue them. Without a plan, it’s difficult to turn ambition into reality.

When you combine belief in yourself with a clear plan and the drive to execute it, there’s no limit to what you can accomplish.

The energy industry is evolving at a rapid pace. In regions like Kentucky, where coal has historically been a primary resource, there is now a significant shift toward modernizing the grid to ensure it is both reliable and prepared for the future. This transformation requires balancing innovation with responsibility.

One of the biggest challenges we face is navigating complex regulatory requirements while continuing to grow and adopt new technologies, including AI. There is constant pressure to modernize in a way that is safe, effective, and forward-looking, but also affordable for the customers who rely on electricity every day. Striking that balance between innovation and cost is critical. Internally, that means being disciplined about spending, optimizing resources, and finding ways to invest in technology without placing additional burden on our customers.

From a Talent Acquisition perspective, the environment presents an entirely new set of challenges. There is a strong push across industries to incorporate AI into recruiting processes, but it must be approached thoughtfully. While AI can create efficiencies, it is not without risk. For example, automated resume screening can lead to compliance concerns or unintended inaccuracies.

Maintaining a balance between speed and compliance is essential, and I am not willing to sacrifice quality or fairness for efficiency.

Additionally, we are increasingly hiring for roles that didn’t exist just a few years ago. These emerging positions often require skill sets that are still being defined, making it more complex to identify and develop the right talent. As a result, Talent Acquisition must be more strategic than ever, focusing not just on filling roles, but on building future-ready pipelines and helping shape the workforce of tomorrow.

The values that guide my leadership and decision making are integrity and responsibility. Integrity is, without question, my top priority. It influences how I lead, how I communicate, and how I build trust with my team. I believe that doing the right thing, even when it’s difficult, sets the standard for the entire organization, and it’s a value I expect my team to model as well.

I also place a high value on honesty. Open, transparent communication builds credibility and strengthens relationships, and I strive to create an environment where my team feels comfortable being candid and authentic.

Responsibility is another core value that shapes how I operate. I believe in holding myself and my team accountable for delivering high-quality work and following through on commitments. Coupled with a strong focus on quality, these values ensure we consistently perform at a high level and deliver meaningful results.

Ultimately, integrity and responsibility are the foundation of how I lead, how I develop others, and how I measure success.