Advisor
Advisor

Biography

Jennifer Yoshimura is an Energy Justice and Equity Leader and Advisor at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL). She combines over two decades of industry knowledge and experience in the energy industry that includes working for the Department of Defense, building engineering design, renewable energy planning at Hawaiian Electric Company, energy efficiency and conservation at Puget Sound Energy (PSE), and management of PSE's Transmission Engineering Department. She led HDR’s Washington Power Delivery Substation, Transmission, and Distribution Engineering teams, where she was responsible for strategic business development and growth, client services, and employee development and performance.

Jennifer was on PSE’s Women in Leadership Planning, Training, and Mentoring committees, where she was a Strategic Agility Trainer and Presenter. She is a 2018 graduate and 2019 coach of Leadership Tomorrow, a civic leadership program in the Puget Sound region. While at HDR, she was one of three leaders that created a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Task Force for HDR’s Washington office.

At PNNL, Jennifer leverages her diverse experiences in industry, working with communities, and DEIA to develop equitable and community-centered approaches to energy systems planning. She leads several technical assistance programs, grid planning projects, and energy equity and justice initiatives focused on prioritizing the needs of disadvantaged communities and vulnerable populations in the clean energy transition. She also provides strategic support for initiatives bringing energy improvements for regional planning and policy.

Jennifer was born and raised in Hawaii and is now based in the Pacific Northwest. She provides a unique perspective as a Kānaka Maoli (Native Hawaiian) into the needs of underrepresented groups to address organizational and systemic barriers that affect equity and equality for communities of color.  Jennifer focuses her approach, methods, and partnerships through her cultural heritage, embracing her kuleana (responsibility) to address systemic and systematic barriers that perpetuate inequities for communities. She amplifies indigenous knowledge which creates tension with western and colonial frameworks. As an Advisor at PNNL, Jennifer partners with communities, government agencies, industries, and organizations to find co-developed solutions in community and energy work.

Disciplines and Skills

  • Leadership and Management
  • Energy Industry
  • Grid Planning
  • Micro Grids
  • Utility Systems
  • Renewable Energy
  • Energy Efficiency
  • Business Development
  • Project Management
  • Energy Equity and Justice
  • Strategic Customer Development
  • Strategic Improvement
  • Diversity and Inclusion
  • Change Management
  • Consulting Engineering
  • Contract Management

Education

  • BS in in Electrical Engineering from Seattle Pacific University
  • CEM
  • LEED AP