DTE Energy Executive and Leadership Team

October, 2026

Leadership Overview

DTE Energy has 10 executives leading key functions including corporate strategy, information technology, legal affairs, communications, and utility operations.

Focused on delivering reliable power and sustainable solutions, DTE Energy drives regional economic growth through a commitment to clean energy, infrastructure modernization, and community-centered utility services across diverse industrial and residential markets.

Leadership Roles at DTE Energy

  • Vice Chairman and Group President - Trevor Lauer
  • Chief of Staff - Kathrine Horan
  • Chief of Staff To the Director of EA - Tony LaBarbera
  • Chief of Staff & Manager, Dte Foundation & Corporate Citizenship - Esmeralda Zamarron
  • Special Projects Manager, Strategy & Project Management Office Chief of Staff - Natalie Graves
  • IT Chief of Staff - Emily Germain
  • Manager, Strategy Special Projects & Chief of Staff - Emil Abona
  • Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer - Lynne Ellyn
  • Chief Communications Officer - Brenda Craig
  • Chief Legal Officer & Senior VP - JoAnn Chávez
  • Trevor Lauer - Vice Chairman and Group President

    Trevor Lauer, the Vice Chairman and Group President at DTE Energy, directs the core utility operations that provide electric and natural gas services to millions of customers. Lauer oversees the generation, transmission, and distribution functions, ensuring that the company maintains a reliable and resilient energy grid. By managing the operational performance of the regulated utilities, the Vice Chairman and Group President drives initiatives to modernize infrastructure and integrate renewable energy sources into the supply mix. Trevor Lauer collaborates with other executive leaders to align operational goals with the company's long-term strategy for growth and sustainability. This leadership role involves managing large-scale industrial energy solutions and ensuring that the company meets the needs of residential and commercial customers across the region. Through the strategic oversight of utility operations, the Vice Chairman and Group President ensures that the company remains a leader in the energy sector, delivering consistent value and reliable service.

    Kathrine Horan - Chief of Staff

    Kathrine Horan, the Chief of Staff at DTE Energy, coordinates executive workflows to ensure operational efficiency across the organization. Horan manages high-level administrative priorities, facilitating communication between senior leadership and departmental heads to maintain alignment with corporate objectives. By streamlining internal processes, the Chief of Staff supports the execution of complex energy projects and utility service initiatives. Kathrine Horan monitors progress on key performance indicators, providing actionable insights that enable the executive team to make informed decisions regarding resource allocation. This role involves managing cross-functional projects that impact the broader energy portfolio, ensuring that strategic goals remain on schedule. Through rigorous oversight of daily operations, the Chief of Staff optimizes organizational performance, allowing the company to focus on delivering consistent, reliable energy solutions to customers throughout the region while maintaining a high standard of corporate governance and operational excellence.

    Tony LaBarbera - Chief of Staff To the Director of EA

    Tony LaBarbera, the Chief of Staff To the Director of EA at DTE Energy, manages the strategic agenda for executive administration. LaBarbera directs the flow of information to the Director, ensuring that critical energy infrastructure projects receive necessary oversight and support. By coordinating complex schedules and project timelines, the Chief of Staff To the Director of EA maintains the momentum of essential utility operations. Tony LaBarbera facilitates collaboration between internal teams, bridging gaps in communication to ensure that organizational goals align with the broader mission of providing reliable energy services. This position requires constant monitoring of administrative workflows to identify bottlenecks and implement solutions that enhance productivity. Through meticulous planning and execution, the Chief of Staff To the Director of EA supports the long-term stability of the company, ensuring that leadership remains focused on delivering value to customers and stakeholders while navigating the evolving demands of the energy sector.

    Esmeralda Zamarron - Chief of Staff & Manager, Dte Foundation & Corporate Citizenship

    Esmeralda Zamarron, the Chief of Staff & Manager, Dte Foundation & Corporate Citizenship at DTE Energy, oversees the intersection of corporate strategy and community engagement. Zamarron directs the philanthropic initiatives of the foundation, ensuring that corporate citizenship efforts align with the company's commitment to social responsibility and regional development. By managing the operational aspects of the foundation, the Chief of Staff & Manager, Dte Foundation & Corporate Citizenship fosters strong relationships with community partners and stakeholders. Esmeralda Zamarron integrates these social impact goals into the broader business model, demonstrating how sustainable energy practices support local economic health. This role involves coordinating with executive leadership to ensure that corporate values remain central to all business activities. Through strategic oversight of community programs, the Chief of Staff & Manager, Dte Foundation & Corporate Citizenship strengthens the company's reputation and ensures that the organization continues to contribute positively to the regions served by its utility operations.

    Natalie Graves - Special Projects Manager, Strategy & Project Management Office Chief of Staff

    Natalie Graves, the Special Projects Manager, Strategy & Project Management Office Chief of Staff at DTE Energy, leads the execution of high-priority strategic initiatives. Graves manages the project management office, ensuring that complex energy infrastructure projects meet rigorous standards for efficiency and performance. By aligning project outcomes with the company's long-term strategy, the Special Projects Manager, Strategy & Project Management Office Chief of Staff drives operational improvements across the organization. Natalie Graves coordinates with cross-functional teams to resolve challenges and optimize resource utilization, ensuring that all projects support the delivery of reliable electric and natural gas services. This leadership role involves monitoring project lifecycles and reporting progress to senior management to facilitate data-driven decision-making. Through the application of advanced project management methodologies, the Special Projects Manager, Strategy & Project Management Office Chief of Staff ensures that the company remains competitive and capable of meeting the evolving energy needs of its diverse customer base.

    Emily Germain - IT Chief of Staff

    Emily Germain, the IT Chief of Staff at DTE Energy, manages the operational rhythm of the information technology department. Germain coordinates the implementation of digital strategies that support the company's energy distribution and management systems. By overseeing the administrative functions of the IT division, the IT Chief of Staff ensures that technical teams remain aligned with the broader corporate mission of providing secure and reliable utility services. Emily Germain facilitates communication between IT leadership and other business units, ensuring that technology investments directly contribute to operational efficiency and customer satisfaction. This role involves managing budgets, tracking project milestones, and optimizing internal processes to support the company's digital transformation efforts. Through the effective management of IT resources, the IT Chief of Staff enables the organization to leverage data and technology to enhance grid reliability and improve the overall experience for residential and industrial customers across the service territory.

    Emil Abona - Manager, Strategy Special Projects & Chief of Staff

    Emil Abona, the Manager, Strategy Special Projects & Chief of Staff at DTE Energy, directs the development and implementation of key strategic initiatives. Abona manages special projects that address emerging challenges in the energy market, ensuring that the company remains at the forefront of innovation. By coordinating with executive leadership, the Manager, Strategy Special Projects & Chief of Staff aligns project goals with the company's overarching mission of providing sustainable and reliable energy solutions. Emil Abona monitors market trends and internal performance metrics to identify opportunities for growth and operational improvement. This role involves leading cross-functional teams to execute complex projects that enhance the company's competitive position. Through rigorous analysis and strategic planning, the Manager, Strategy Special Projects & Chief of Staff ensures that the organization effectively navigates the complexities of the energy sector, delivering consistent value to customers and stakeholders while maintaining a focus on long-term operational success.

    Lynne Ellyn - Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer

    Lynne Ellyn, the Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer at DTE Energy, architects the digital infrastructure that supports the company's vast energy operations. Ellyn directs the enterprise-wide technology strategy, ensuring that systems for energy generation, transmission, and distribution remain secure and highly efficient. By overseeing the integration of advanced data analytics and cybersecurity protocols, the Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer protects critical utility assets while enabling real-time monitoring of grid performance. Lynne Ellyn collaborates with other C-suite leaders to align technology investments with the company's commitment to renewable energy and industrial solutions. This leadership role involves managing large-scale digital transformations that improve service reliability for residential and commercial customers. Through the implementation of scalable IT solutions, the Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer drives operational excellence, ensuring that the company maintains a robust technological foundation to meet the evolving demands of the modern energy landscape.
    Lynne Ellyn

    Brenda Craig - Chief Communications Officer

    Brenda Craig, the Chief Communications Officer at DTE Energy, manages the company's reputation and stakeholder engagement strategies. Craig directs all internal and external communications, ensuring that the organization's mission of providing reliable energy services is clearly articulated to customers, investors, and the public. By overseeing brand strategy and media relations, the Chief Communications Officer maintains transparency regarding the company's renewable energy initiatives and infrastructure projects. Brenda Craig collaborates with executive leadership to develop messaging that reflects the company's commitment to corporate citizenship and community support. This role involves managing crisis communications and public affairs to protect the company's market position and foster trust with the communities served. Through the strategic use of digital and traditional media channels, the Chief Communications Officer ensures that the company's values and operational achievements are effectively communicated, supporting the overall goal of maintaining strong relationships with all stakeholders.
    Brenda Craig
    JoAnn Chávez, the Chief Legal Officer & Senior VP at DTE Energy, oversees the legal and regulatory framework governing the company's diverse energy operations. Chávez directs the legal department, ensuring compliance with complex utility regulations and environmental standards across all business units. By managing litigation, corporate governance, and regulatory filings, the Chief Legal Officer & Senior VP mitigates risk and supports the company's strategic objectives in energy marketing and infrastructure development. JoAnn Chávez provides critical counsel to the Board and executive team, facilitating informed decision-making on matters of policy and market expansion. This leadership role involves navigating the legal complexities of the energy sector to ensure that the company operates within the bounds of law while pursuing growth and innovation. Through the effective management of legal affairs, the Chief Legal Officer & Senior VP protects the company's interests and supports the delivery of reliable energy services to customers.
    JoAnn Chávez

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    Frequently Asked Questions Regarding DTE Energy Top Executives and Leadership Team

    Who leads DTE Energy?
    DTE Energy is led by Trevor Lauer (Vice Chairman and Group President), along with executives such as Kathrine Horan (Chief of Staff) and Tony LaBarbera (Chief of Staff To the Director of EA).
    Who is part of DTE Energy’s executive team?
    The executive team of DTE Energy includes leaders such as Trevor Lauer (Vice Chairman and Group President), Kathrine Horan (Chief of Staff), Tony LaBarbera (Chief of Staff To the Director of EA) and other senior executives.
    How many executives does DTE Energy have?
    DTE Energy has 10 executives leading key business areas.
    What roles are included in DTE Energy’s leadership team?
    The leadership team of DTE Energy includes roles such as Vice Chairman and Group President, Chief of Staff, Chief of Staff To the Director of EA, Chief of Staff & Manager, Dte Foundation & Corporate Citizenship, Special Projects Manager, Strategy & Project Management Office Chief of Staff.