Tashonda Taylor, director of design and construction management for San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E), knew at a young age that she wanted to pursue a technical career.
“As a child, I was really good at science and math, and I loved learning how things worked,” said Taylor. This ultimately led her to pursue a career in engineering.
“My whole life, I’ve been lucky to have people who championed me. From my mom and my teachers giving me the confidence early on to believe I could be an engineer, to mentors at the company encouraging me to aspire for new heights. Now, I have the opportunity to pay it forward.”
Paying It Forward
Sempra Energy’s vision is delivering energy with purpose and employees are encouraged to think about their own personal purpose and how it connects to their work. When asked about her purpose, Taylor’s answer is clear: “My purpose is to make sure that I leave a legacy where we have more women in engineering.”
She works hard to bring young girls into the pipeline for Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) through SDG&E’s #BeThatGirl initiative. Alongside other female role models from the company, Taylor is dedicated to overcoming the severe underrepresentation of women in STEM careers, and serves as a mentor for young girls in our communities – instilling in them the confidence that was instilled in her.
“I didn’t have a lot of role models in college or the energy industry that looked like me,” said Taylor. “My purpose is to change that.”
Championing Customers
Taylor and her team are living Sempra Energy’s values of championing people and shaping the future by implementing innovative ideas that will ultimately improve safety and reliability, benefitting SDG&E’s customers. Taylor’s team designs, plans and constructs electric, gas and civil projects throughout SDG&E’s service territory.
“Everything we do is to make sure that our customers feel valued,” said Taylor.
The team works with local municipalities on accelerating undergrounding projects to improve reliability, and manages contract crews that construct new business projects for residential and commercial customers.
“I love the challenges that I’m faced with every day because it allows me to be creative and innovative. Being able to lead a team that works to improve the customer experience and build infrastructure to improve the lives for our community is very fulfilling.”
