Faces of Pitcairn

Walk into Chris Pastor’s office with a question and you will be greeted with her full attention (along with a selection of candy on her desk). As Pitcairn’s Human Resource Manager, Chris goes above and beyond to ensure that all employees are attended to and feel heard whether it’s about benefits, a personal matter, or a random question. Since Chris is such a great listener, we decided to turn the table and listen to her share some things about herself.

You’ve been at Pitcairn for over 25 years. How have the roles you’ve held throughout your tenure shaped your career?

When I found myself at Pitcairn in 1993, I had just given birth to my daughter and my twins were headed off to kindergarten. My only goal at that point was to find a good job that paid the bills, so I could be close to my children during their school needs. As my father always said, it pays to be in the right place at the right time, because after six months at Pitcairn, I was asked to take on the roles of payroll and benefits, in addition to my office management responsibilities. I enjoyed the work and it gave me an opportunity to get to know my colleagues in a more personal way, which made my transition into Human Resources seem very natural. My role in HR was a gradual progression and working at Pitcairn, who promotes continuous learning/professional development, I became a Certified Professional through the Society for Human Resource Management in 2015.

You have a very close family. What is your fondest memory or favorite thing to do together?

I have a large family and we have many fond memories together. My favorite memories are those around the holidays, where we all gather at my parents’ home for Christmas. Over the years, the family has grown in leaps and bounds, so that now, an intimate family gathering is approximately 75 people in my parent’s rancher home. Somehow, we always make it work! It’s a wonderful time to come together, share our lives and stories, and make new memories together.

You grew up in the Philadelphia area. What do you love most about Philly?

I have lived in Philadelphia and the surrounding area my entire life and what I love the most is the ability to take in the culture, see sporting events, and share new experiences with my family, friends, and neighbors. No matter how different you may be from those around you, you are part of large extended family called Philly! We are spirited and devoted to our city, culture, and teams, and it’s fun to be part of it.