In honor of International Women in Engineering Day on Monday, June 23, we’re proud to shine a spotlight on some of the talented women engineers powering innovation and progress at Tampa Electric.
Engineering remains a field where women are historically underrepresented, but that’s changing. The range of engineering careers and the growing demand for technical expertise are opening more doors than ever. At Tampa Electric, we believe that celebrating the voices and accomplishments of women in this field not only highlights their vital work but also helps pave the way for others to follow.
Let’s meet three team members who are making a difference at Tampa Electric and inspiring future generations of women in engineering.
Kaylene Pelsh
Principal Engineer Kaylene Pelsh is part of the Substation Engineering department specializing in civil engineering. While attending the University of South Florida for a degree in architecture, Kaylene soon realized it wasn’t the right fit for her. She picked up work as an AutoCAD drafter between courses until a co-worker suggested she explore civil engineering.
“I decided to switch my major the next semester and haven't looked back since,” Kaylene said.
Kaylene joined Tampa Electric in 2014, and since 2022 has worked on implementing ambient adjusted ratings for substation transmission voltage equipment in compliance with Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) Order 881.
“This project has required extensive effort to apply Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) standards involving complex equations to increase the ampacity capabilities of our substation equipment. I'm thrilled to see years of hard work have finally come to fruition this year,” Kaylene said.
As far as future female engineers, Kaylene recommends to not plan their futures too rigidly and remember that their path to success may look different from others’.
“Life is full of unexpected twists and turns. Explore different paths and stay open to new ideas but always maintain the self-awareness to identify what truly suits you,” she said.
Julie Chilson
Senior Engineer Julie Chilson is a member of the Renewables Department focusing on mechanical engineering. From a young age, she had a deep curiosity about how things work and had a passion for problem-solving.
“I was always drawn to activities that involved taking things apart and reassembling them, as well as watching educational programs like ‘How It’s Made’. Growing up in a family with several engineers – including my father, an electrical engineer, further inspired me and made engineering feel like a natural and fulfilling path,” Julie said.
Throughout her career at Tampa Electric, Julie has had the privilege of contributing to and witnessing significant milestones that she is proud of. Since joining the company in 2007, when the company’s energy portfolio was primarily base-load coal, she saw firsthand and was a part of the transition toward a brighter, more sustainable future – embracing natural gas, solar energy and battery storage technologies.
“While I take pride in the progress we’ve made, I’m most excited about the continued evolution of our company as we pursue innovative solutions,” Julie said.
Her biggest piece of advice for the next generation of female engineers? Actively seek real-world experience early on. Pursuing internships or co-op opportunities during college is invaluable for gaining insight into how your academic knowledge translates into practical applications, she said.
“These experiences not only help you better understand potential career paths but also allow you to build a professional network that can support your growth and open doors in the future,” Julie advised.
Julie Ward
Community Investment Manager Julie Ward is a member of the State and Regional Affairs department and is a licensed professional chemical engineer. Growing up she always loved math, science and problem-solving, so she had a hunch she would end up in a field that combined those passions.
“In high school, we took a career aptitude test, and my top two matches were Chemical Engineering and Public Relations. In my position as Community Investment Manager, I can see how those work together,” Julie said.
Her advice to women pursuing engineering is to remember the value they bring to the table.
“You’ll find yourself in rooms where you might feel like you don’t belong. But if you were invited, you do belong. Your perspective matters in every room,” Julie said.
Her 20-year career has taken many turns, from sewage systems, to environmental, to planning and now to her current community-facing role.
“I’m proud to represent TECO with my unique background and help our community understand the 'whys' behind what we do. I’m incredibly grateful to have this opportunity,” Julie said.
Thank you to Kaylene, Julie C. and Julie W. for sharing their advice and experience!
As we celebrate International Women in Engineering Day, we’re proud to recognize the talented women helping to shape the future of Tampa Electric, and the energy industry as a whole. Let’s continue to support and uplift women in engineering, today and every day.
