As the senior director of human resources for Westfall Technik Inc., Christina Jester oversees all HR operations and ensures effective, smooth execution. "I serve as a key adviser to the CEO and senior leaders on all aspects of human resources. I proactively create and direct short- and long-term HR strategies that align and support Westfall's overall business strategy," she said.
Jester said that "just making an employee's day, knowing you've genuinely helped an employee or made their life easier" is a great accomplishment.
"I also believe one of my greatest achievements is independently supporting my family and the two major companies in my career have allowed me to do just that. I work hard and take pride in my work and [am] continuously looking for ways to improve, and I believe that is how I got to where I am today," said Jester, who earned a bachelor's degree in business management from the University of Tennessee at Martin.
Her work in the plastics industry began at a Blue Diamond Industries LLC plant in Southeastern Kentucky.
"I was fresh out of college when I started with BDI and didn't really know what industry I wanted to be in, but the position aligned with my interests. I learned so much in my years with that company and wouldn't trade it for anything," she said. "I relocated to be closer to my family and took a job with Westfall, and I was drawn to the position because it was plastics manufacturing, and it is what I love and know best."
Jester considers her current role with the injection molding and tooling firm a career highlight.
"I take so much pride in leading the team of HR professionals and working alongside many of the best in our industry here at Westfall," she said. "Also, being given the opportunity to create and lead our internal Women of Westfall group who promote and mentor women in our industry and within our company. We are doing great things."
In addition to WOW, Jester is a member of the Women in Manufacturing Association's Kentucky chapter and Society for Human Resource Management.
