Building the Workforce Behind the Utility of the Future

As the energy industry evolves, utilities are investing not only in technology and infrastructure, but also in the people who will power the future. At PPL Corporation, Vincent Poplaski helps lead that effort as Vice President of Total Rewards, overseeing compensation, benefits, and health and wellness strategies that help attract, support and retain talent across Pennsylvania, Kentucky and Rhode Island.

For Poplaski, the work is about more than programs and policies. It is about helping people build meaningful careers while enabling PPL’s broader transformation.

“Total rewards is positioned at the intersection of people, strategy, finance and culture,” he said. “It’s an opportunity to create programs that support employees while helping the company achieve its long-term goals.”

Throughout his career, Poplaski has been drawn to the strategic side of human resources and the ways compensation, benefits and wellness programs influence employee experiences and business outcomes. Today, he leads a team responsible for seven core areas within compensation, benefits and health and wellness, supporting more than 6,500 employees and helping PPL compete for talent in an increasingly dynamic labor market.

As PPL advances its Utility of the Future strategy, Poplaski sees total rewards as an important part of building the workforce needed to modernize the grid, improve reliability and deliver for customers. His team uses market data, workforce analytics, employee feedback and business insights to create rewards strategies that are competitive, sustainable and aligned with the skills PPL will need in the future.

Poplaski is especially passionate about helping employees understand and maximize the value of the resources available to them, from healthcare and retirement planning to caregiving support and overall well-being. Recent initiatives, including personalized total rewards statements, are helping employees better see the full value of their compensation and benefits.

“The most rewarding part is knowing our work affects employees and their families,” he said. “Every program we develop plays a role in helping employees feel supported and valued.”

September 9, 2026

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