What I Do Aloha mai kākou! My name is Tiffany, and I’m a licensed Professional Electrical Engineer with over a decade of experience in the power utility industry. I specialize in high-voltage transmission, distribution, substation design, and energy market operations. After several years working in California, I’ve since relocated to Nevada, where I now serve as a Senior Engineer in the Energy Imbalance Market (EIM) — helping ensure real-time energy reliability across the western grid. I’m passionate about the future of clean energy, grid resiliency, and encouraging young women to pursue careers in STEM.
Why Engineering? Growing up in Honolulu, Hawaiʻi, I experienced firsthand how energy can be both precious and limited, especially on an isolated island in the Pacific. That awareness inspired me to pursue electrical engineering with a focus on power systems and energy infrastructure. As I progressed in my career, I realized that the challenges Hawaiʻi faces are shared by communities across the world: the need for reliable, sustainable, and resilient energy. Engineering gave me the tools to help solve these problems, not just for where I’m from, but for the future of the entire grid. We need more engineers who are ready to take on these urgent challenges. I chose this path because I wanted to be part of the solution.
School Days I attended the University of Hawai`i at Manoa. I graduated in 2013 with my B.S. in Electrical Engineering, specializing in the area of electrophysics.
Challenges As my career has evolved, I’ve come to see that earning an engineering degree and developing technical expertise were only the starting points. The greater challenge and opportunity has been learning to lead and contribute within a profession that is still finding its balance in diversity and inclusion. Working in a male-dominated industry has required resilience, clarity, and confidence. It has also reinforced the importance of creating pathways for others and fostering environments where talent and perspective are valued above all else. While progress toward equity continues, meaningful change happens when we participate in it. Women in engineering have a powerful role to play in shaping that future by mentoring, advocating, and showing up with excellence and authenticity every day. We belong here, and our presence strengthens the field.
Want to be an Engineer? I attended an all-girls school where STEM wasn’t always emphasized, and interest in science or engineering sometimes surprised people. Thankfully, times have progressed, though not equally for everyone. Women pursuing careers in engineering still encounter subtle and overt barriers. What I’ve learned is this: if you’re passionate about science, technology, or math, go after it with confidence. Your curiosity and drive are valid, and they belong in every space. You don’t have to do it on your own. Organizations like the Society of Women Engineers (SWE) provide mentorship, connection, and a sense of belonging. I encourage every young woman to seek mentors, build a network of support, and stay true to her voice. "We can have unity in diversity and diversity in unity. We don't have to be like one another to enjoy sisterhood."