Geisha Williams: Breaking Glass Ceilings in the Energy Industry
CEO, Pacific Gas & Electric
Bio:
Williams is a long-time energy executive—24 years at Florida Power & Light Co., followed by a decade with Pacific Gas and Electric Company in California. An immigrant and daughter of Cuban dissidents, she was recently tapped to be CEO and President of PG&E Corporation. She is the first female, Hispanic CEO of a Fortune 500 company and will lead the push toward renewable energy options for customers and improvements in safe energy delivery.
Disruption:
Leading a cutting edge Fortune 500 company in the rapidly changing sphere of clean energy resources, new technologies and customer choices, while working with the private sector as well as government and regulators in California, the state with the one of the boldest mandates for green energy change.
Mentorship:
Inspired by the words of a mentor early in her career who told her, “Geisha, someone has to lead this company. Why not you?”—a refrain that has motivated her at each step in her development.
What’s Next:
Accelerated action to meet California’s bold clean energy objectives, while updating and upgrading energy infrastructure and maintaining safety and affordability.
As California embraces its leadership role in meeting the challenge of climate change, it’s very exciting to lead a company that’s right at the heart of that work. PG&E is building the energy network of tomorrow—a platform that integrates clean, innovative technologies, while at the same time delivering energy that continues to be safe, reliable and affordable for our customers.
Education:
BS, Engineering, University of Miami; MBA Nova Southeastern University
Residence:
San Francisco Bay Area
Boards:
Edison Electric Institute; Institute of Nuclear Power Operations; Center for Energy Workforce Development; Trustee, California Academy of Sciences; Trustee, University of Miami