ISO-NE announces key management changes in human resources department

ISO New England today announced the retirement of Janice S. Dickstein, vice president of human resources. She is succeeded by Kathleen deCastro, who will serve as vice president of human resources and chief people diversity officer.

In her 18 years at the company, Dickstein was influential in building virtually all of the ISO’s human resources processes, procedures, and services. She created the ISO’s Enterprise Learning function, meeting the non-technical development needs of the workforce, and was instrumental in the creation of the ISO’s Council for Diversity and Inclusion. She provided strong leadership throughout the course of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Jan has been of great counsel to me and all whom she has worked with,” said Gordon van Welie, ISO New England’s president and CEO. “I thank her for years of dedicated service and leadership.”

deCastro joined the ISO from The Travelers Companies, Inc., where she most recently served as vice president of human resources for their Small Commercial business segment. Prior to that, she served in top HR roles with JCJ Architecture, the Hanover Insurance Group, Sun Life Financial, and the Hartford, where she spent almost two decades in numerous human resources roles. She began her career in CIGNA’s Human Resources Rotational Program.

She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from the University of Saint Joseph and her Masters’ in Industrial/Organizational Psychology from the University of New Haven. She also serves as an adjunct professor at the University of Connecticut’s School of Business, teaching in its Executive MBA program.

“I am excited to welcome Kathy to the ISO,” said van Welie. “Her breadth of experience will help the company attract, develop, and retain the talented workforce needed ensure New England’s clean energy transition is a reliable one.”