Geisha Williams

Geisha J. Williams
Born	Geisha Jimenez Template:Birth year and age Cuba
Occupation	Business executive
Known for	First Latina CEO of a Fortune 500 company; President and CEO of Pacific Gas and Electric Company (2017–2019)

Geisha J. Williams (née Jimenez, born circa 1961/1962) is a Cuban American executive who held the role of president and CEO at Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) from March 2017 until January 2019.

Early life

Williams was born in Cuba. Her name, Geisha, was inspired by the John Wayne film The Barbarian and the Geisha. At the age of five, she relocated to the United States following her father's release; he had been a political prisoner in Cuba. Subsequently, her father operated a grocery business. Williams earned a bachelor's degree in industrial engineering from the University of Miami and obtained an MBA from Nova Southeastern University.

Career

Williams' professional journey started with an internship at Florida Power & Light (FPL) during her college years, leading to a full-time position as a residential energy auditor. By 2005, she had risen to become FPL's vice president for distribution, managing recovery efforts after Hurricane Wilma. She joined PG&E in 2007 and progressed to Vice President for Energy Delivery by 2010, later assuming leadership of electric operations in 2011.

In March 2017, she made history as the first Latina to lead a Fortune 500 company as CEO. Her executive experience includes serving as a director at the Edison Electric Institute, the Institute of Nuclear Power Operations, and chairing the board for the Center for Energy Workforce Development. Additionally, Williams is a member of the Board of Directors for the Bipartisan Policy Center and holds a trustee position at the California Academy of Sciences.

Personal life

Williams is married and has two daughters.