Lead with Light: Meet Kristie Teoh
Meet Kristie Teoh, Scholarships & Awards Committee Chair for CWEEL
Kristie Teoh is not only shaping the future of energy conservation at Cox Enterprises but also illuminating the path for women in the energy sector. Her role as a Senior Energy Conservation Engineer is pivotal in achieving the company’s 2034 carbon neutrality goals. However, it’s her transformative volunteer work with the Council on Women in Energy & Environmental Leadership (CWEEL) that truly magnifies her influence. At CWEEL, Kristie is a champion, promoting industry diversity and empowering women to break barriers.
What is your current role? Where did you start at your company, and how has your role evolved over time?
Kristie has been a Senior Energy Conservation Engineer at Cox Enterprises for a year, working towards the company’s carbon neutral goals by 2034. Both she and her team focus on tackling the goals through conservation and efficiency measures. Although still relatively new to her role, she is slowly but surely getting more comfortable with concurrently managing projects in development and implementation phases.
What does an average day for you look like?
Kristie spends her day-to-day doing a little bit of everything - ranging from energy savings analysis, cost analysis, project management and coordination. This all varies depending on where her projects are in and what their needs are that day. It keeps her work fresh and challenging each day!
Have you faced any setbacks in your career? How did you overcome them?
Being a young, female minority engineer in a male-dominated field, Kristie has struggled with imposter syndrome and feeling the need to prove herself to her peers both internally and externally. Sometimes it’s difficult to be taken seriously but she's learned to surround herself with the right people who share her passions and see her value and potential to properly support and advocate for her.
What is your current role on the CWEEL Governing Council? What do you hope to accomplish while on board?
Kristie is the CWEEL Scholarship and Awards Chair, helping to create a pathway to college students who are passionate about the energy and sustainability industry as well as recognize women in the industry who have contributed to supporting and empowering other women.
Kristie hopes to increase CWEEL's visibility within the industry so that we can grow our reach to those interested and passionate about energy efficiency and sustainability. Let this be an opportunity to share a CWEEL with your colleagues, friends, and family!
Help us celebrate Kristie's latest accomplishment: Mid-Atlantic and Southeast US Region Young Energy Professional of the Year, awarded by our parent organization, the Association of Energy Engineers!
This award recognized Kristie for her outstanding contributions to the energy profession and to her community in any or all of these areas: educational and collegiate achievements; professional and technical society activities; civic and humanitarian activities, continuing competence; energy management achievements; climate change activities and achievements; and renewable energy activities and achievements.
Kristie’s journey with CWEEL is a narrative of empowerment and impact. Her role has been pivotal in providing scholarships to students eager to explore the energy sector, thereby sowing seeds for a brighter, more inclusive future. Her review of award applications for CWEEL volunteers has amplified the division’s mission, creating a cycle of recognition and motivation that continues to propel the organization forward.
About CWEEL
The Council on Women in Environmental and Energy Leadership (CWEEL) serves as a platform for professional women to grow, learn, and connect. With committees focused on encouraging, leading, and supporting, CWEEL is committed to fostering opportunities for women in the industry. You too can join CWEEL by adding division membership to your existing (or new) AEE membership. You can also deepen your commitment to our mission by forming a CWEEL group within your local AEE Chapter or by joining one of our Governing Council committees. To submit interest in joining a committee or starting a group, please email [email protected].
