Women's History Month
Alice Yake (Jackson), Vice President of GRIDS at Breakthrough Energy, leads efforts to develop an open-source modeling ecosystem for delivering reliable, low-emission electricity globally, addressing the complexities of system design, regulations, and zero-carbon goals. With 25 years of industry experience spanning Enron, Oxy, and Xcel Energy, she applies her expertise to advance scalable, data-driven solutions while balancing her mission-driven career with her role as a mother and stepmother.
In recognition of Women’s History Month, PUF sat down with thirteen women leaders across the energy sector to capture their perspectives at a pivotal moment for our industry.
Demand is rising. Infrastructure investment is accelerating. Utilities, regulators, and innovators are navigating increasing expectations around affordability, reliability, and resilience. In this environment, leadership is not theoretical. It is operational. Decisions made today will shape markets, systems, and communities for decades.
The women featured here represent the breadth of the modern grid. Their roles span utilities, regulatory commissions, federal public power, trade associations, research institutions, consumer advocacy offices, and technology companies. The perspectives are varied, but several themes recur: translating complexity into clarity, balancing competing priorities, preparing the workforce of the future, and keeping customers at the center of the conversation.
These conversations are not a single narrative. They are a collection of viewpoints reflecting the realities of leadership in motion. Together, they offer insight into how this essential industry is being guided forward at a time of significant change.
PUF’s Rachel Bryant: When you look back at your path into energy, what moments or experiences most shaped the leader you are today?