TVA Celebrates Women’s History Month

The Women Who Sit On TVA’s Board of Directors Share Career Advice

March is Women’s History Month, and TVA is celebrating the women who contribute to our mission of service today and those who have paved the way.

Three women currently sit on TVA’s Board of Directors. They share career advice, TVA initiatives they’re excited about, and more.

Director Beth Harwell: Joined TVA Board in January 2021

Q: Tell us about your background that led you to serve on the Board for TVA.

A: I served as Speaker of the Tennessee House of Representatives for eight years. I saw firsthand the significant role TVA played in recruiting industry to our area. I was honored when Sen. Lamar Alexander put forth my name for consideration for the Board of Directors.

Q: In the time you’ve been with us, what’s one of the most exciting activities or initiatives TVA is involved in? Why?

A: I have been excited to see TVA lead in the creation of apprenticeship programs. Many of the participants acquire permanent employment with TVA. The programs certainly assist in developing a technical skilled workforce.  

Q: This year marks TVA’s 90th anniversary. Is there anything in TVA’s past that particularly interests you?

A: The very creation of TVA is unique to United States history. The bipartisan legislative effort is one of my favorite examples that the government process can work.

Q: What one piece of advice would you give to women leaders today, or those aspiring to lead?

A: I have found that being a good leader involves being a good listener. I am impressed with TVA’s leadership in their many outreaches for input from both employees and consumers.

Director Beth Geer: Joined TVA Board in January 2022

Q: Tell us a little about your background that led you to serve on the Board for TVA.

A: I’ve spent most of my career working in areas where I’m able to advocate for people and issues I care about, which is a great blessing and privilege. One of my female mentors with whom I worked for many years suggested me as a; candidate for the TVA Board, and I’m so grateful that things worked out to allow me to serve. It has been a very humbling and exciting experience so far!

Q: In the time you’ve been with us, what’s one of the most exciting activities or initiatives TVA is involved in? Why?

A: I’d say one of the things I’m really thrilled by is the organization’s efforts toward becoming carbon neutral. The opportunities for growing its renewable energy portfolio are extremely exciting to me. I also love the community engagement aspects of TVA’s work. Being on the ground in the communities we serve and actively taking a part of what’s happening there is very meaningful and important to me. We wouldn’t be in business without those communities!

Q: This year marks TVA’s 90th anniversary. Is there anything in TVA’s past that particularly interests you?

A: Everything! My family was able to prosper in large part because of TVA and the electrification it brought to the area where I grew up. It’s astounding to me that the organization has been able to contribute so much to the areas it serves, and it’s that founding spirit that I believe continues to drive the organization.

Q: What one piece of advice would you give to women leaders today, or those aspiring to lead?

A: Trust yourselves and your gut instincts. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Do your homework!

Director Michelle Moore: Joined TVA Board in January 2022

Q: Tell us a little about your background that led you to serve on the Board for TVA.

A: When I look back, my personal mission in my professional life has always been aligned with the mission of the TVA. I’ve worked at the intersection of energy and environmental quality, economic growth, and affordability for 27 years, beginning in my hometown working at Interface Inc. apprenticing under Ray C. Anderson’s leadership. Being able to put what I know and what I’ve experienced to work in service to the people of the Tennessee Valley, including the thousands of women and men who come to work at TVA every day, is a great joy to me.

Q: In the time you’ve been with us, what’s one of the most exciting activities or initiatives TVA is involved in? Why?

A: TVA is such an extraordinary institution, it’s impossible to pick just one, so I’ll share my top two:

First, the beauty of the work of the craft trades. Last month, we toured the Power Services Shop at Muscle Shoals, and I remain in awe of what the women and men of TVA build with their own hands. As Jeff (Lyash) observed at our last Board meeting, TVA is what a Made in America energy future looks like.

Second, the potential TVA holds to redefine what affordable energy means. I am so encouraged by what I’m learning about Home Uplift and how TVA and its partnerships with the LPCs can reduce bills and energy burdens for all our neighbors who need a little help. It’s a powerful way to “love our neighbors” through what and how we do.

Q: This year marks TVA’s 90th anniversary. Is there anything in TVA’s past that particularly interests you?

A: The statutory mission of the TVA as set forth in 1933 is just as relevant today as it was 90 years ago, particularly as we embark together on the transformation of the energy sector through the integration of advanced energy and energy services technologies on both sides of the meter, the electrification of the transportation sector, and the decarbonization of the grid. TVA’s public power model and mission priority on affordable energy AND economic development, AND environmental quality put the TVA at the forefront of national and global leadership in our field.

Q: What one piece of advice would you give to women leaders today, or those aspiring to lead?

A: Know your worth, support other women by pulling them up, and lead like a woman by using your authority to make your workplace a better place for the women who will come after you to thrive.

While these are TVA’s current women board members, six other women blazed the trail for them.

Skila Harris was a member of the Board of Directors from November 1999 until March 2006, and as a part-time director until May 2008. Prior to joining TVA she was executive director of the Secretary of Energy Advisory Board under Secretaries Bill Richardson and Federico Pena.

Susan Richardson Williams served on TVA’s board from March 2006 to Dec. 2007. Williams formed a public relations consulting business, Susan Williams Public Affairs Consulting, associated with a group of five other women doing business as SRW & Associates. 

Marilyn Brown served on TVA’s board from Oct. 2010 to Jan. 2013; then Sept. 2013, to Jan. 2018. She came to TVA from Georgia Institute of Technology where she worked as a professor in the School of Public Policy.

Barbara Haskew served on TVA’s board from Oct. 2010 to Dec. 2014. She was a distinguished professor of economics at Middle Tennessee State University from 2002-2010 where she taught economics and labor relations and focused research on energy-related issues. 

Lynn Evans served on TVA’s board from Jan. 2013 to Jan. 2018. Evans was the first woman to serve as Chair of the TVA Board. She owned a professional services firm responsible for all aspects of business operations, including administration, business development, personnel management, technical service delivery and quality control.

Gina Lodge joined TVA’s board in 2014 and served until Jan. 2020. In 2012, she became Chief Executive Officer of FSI Inc., a fulfillment and supply chain company based in Nashville, Tenn. She previously served as Commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Human Services from 2003 to 2011.