S3E7 | Out in Front: PSEG’s Antonio Fernandez Leads the Way on Diversity and Inclusion

PULL QUOTE: “The focus of the D&I programs are to bring people that are different--that think differently, that look differently, that have different backgrounds and experiences-and then create a work environment where all those people can succeed...That, to me, goes hand in hand with what we want from an organization that is focused on ethics, compliance, and integrity.”

Antonio Fernandez of PSEG discusses with LRN's Ben DiPietro his approach to building an ethics and compliance program, and how his coming out as gay helps him serve as a leader for diversity and inclusion.

Antonio Fernández was named PSEG’s chief compliance officer in April 2016 and is responsible for overseeing its compliance program, which involves managing PSEG’s ethics and compliance group and its NERC compliance group.

Fernández joined PSEG from General Electric, where he served as GE Power’s global ombuds leader, and as executive counsel. Fernández started his career at the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s Office of the General Counsel, through its Honors Program. He then served as nuclear counsel for Pacific Gas and Electric Co., where he oversaw all legal matters related to PG&E’s nuclear power plants. After PG&E, he joined NextEra Energy as a senior attorney.

He earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Dayton; a Juris Doctor degree (Order of Barristers) from St. Mary’s University School of Law; and a Master of Laws in international and comparative law from Georgetown University Law Center.

What You’ll Learn on This Episode:

• [0:48] Antonio talks about his path to the field of ethics and compliance and how that journey took you the PSEG
• [3:22] What is Antonio’s philosophy when it comes to creating an operating an ethics and compliance program? What are the pillars upon which he builds the program
• [6:06] How Antonio use tools to get messages about ethics, compliance, culture, and behavior to all levels of the organization?
• [7:47] Antonio talks about the effectiveness of engagement efforts and whether the right analytics exists in the world today. Do the right set of measurements still needed to be identified?
• [9:40] What are some actions PSEG is taking on issues of diversity and inclusion? How did Antonio’s personal story and the experience of coming out as gay shape the way he approaches D&I issues?
• [13:09] What does Antonio wish someone had told him when he first starting out and how he might have navigated his personal situation? How would the situation gone differently if he didn’t have to go through the experience of learning for himself and maybe fumbling along the way?