Geisha Williams

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Geisha Williams
Born1961or1962(age 63–64)
Cuba
Education University of Miami (BA)
Nova Southeastern University (MBA)
TitleFormer CEO, Pacific Gas and Electric Company
TermMarch 2017 - January 2019
SpouseJay Williams
Children2 daughters

Geisha J. Williams (born Jimenez, c. 1961/1962) [1] is a Cuban American businesswoman. She was the president and CEO of the Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) from March 2017 to January 13, 2019. [1] [2]

Contents

Early life

Williams was born Geisha J. Jimenez in Cuba. [3] [4] Her parents named her Geisha from the title of a John Wayne movie, The Barbarian and the Geisha. [4] At the age of five, Geisha migrated to the US with her parents, after her father, a political prisoner in Cuba, was released from prison. [4] Her father worked various jobs to provide for his family and went on to own their own grocery store. [4]

She has a bachelor's degree in industrial engineering from the University of Miami and an MBA from Nova Southeastern University. [1]

Career

While at the University of Miami, Williams interned for Florida Power & Light (FPL). She returned to the company after earning her degree, starting as a residential energy auditor. [5] [3] In 2005, she was the company's vice president for distribution and was in charge of the restoration effort after Hurricane Wilma. [6]

Williams joined Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) in 2007. [1] In 2010, she was Vice President for Energy Delivery, and in 2011, she was put in charge of electric operations. [7] [8]

In March 2017, Williams became the first Latina chief executive officer of a Fortune 500 company. [9]

She has been a director at the Edison Electric Institute, the Institute of Nuclear Power Operations, and the Association of Edison Illuminating Companies, the board chairwoman for the Center for Energy Workforce Development, and a trustee of the California Academy of Sciences. [10] She is on the Board of Directors for the Bipartisan Policy Center. [11]

Personal life

Williams is married, and she and her husband have two daughters. [3] [4]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Geisha J. Williams: Executive Profile & Biography". Bloomberg. Retrieved May 5, 2017.
  2. ↑ Morris, J.D. (January 14, 2019). "PG&E CEO Geisha Williams out amid utility's widening financial crisis - SFChronicle.com". San Francisco Chronicle . Retrieved January 14, 2019.
  3. 1 2 3 Markelz, Michelle (June 16, 2013). "Geisha Williams: Providing Power to the People – Hispanic Executive". Hispanicexecutive.com. Retrieved May 5, 2017.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 "PG&E's Bolt of Energy". fortune.com. Retrieved February 28, 2018.
  5. ↑ Calvey, Mark (November 14, 2016). "PG&E names Geisha Williams as CEO and president". www.bizjournals.com. Retrieved June 10, 2024.
  6. ↑ Mayk, Lauren; Zollo, Cathy (October 28, 2005). "Wilma's destruction baffles FPL officials". Sarasota Herald-Tribune. Retrieved June 10, 2024.
  7. ↑ "San Bruno Explosion Aftermath". www.cbsnews.com. September 13, 2010. Retrieved June 10, 2024.
  8. ↑ Baker, David (April 6, 2011). "2 top execs will resign as PG&E reorganizes" . Retrieved June 10, 2024.
  9. ↑ Draznin, Haley. "A former refugee, she's now the first Latina CEO of a major US company". CNNMoney. Retrieved January 1, 2019.
  10. ↑ "Geisha Williams - keynote speaker". Global Speakers Bureau. Retrieved June 6, 2025.
  11. ↑ "Geisha Williams | American Energy Innovation Council". americanenergyinnovation.org. Archived from the original on February 18, 2025. Retrieved June 6, 2025.
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