ACCELERATING INTO THE FUTURE.
KAREN CHEUNG, PRINCIPAL MANAGER OF DIGITAL ACCELERATOR AT SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA EDISON (SCE)
“I joined the Digital Accelerator team a year ago because I believe in the vision, purpose, business-reasoning and the opportunity to accelerate SCE into the Digital era.”
When Karen Cheung joined Southern California Edison as an IT project manager 13 years ago, the electric utility industry was a place where a power company’s main goal was to keep the lights on, and where your grandparents parked their savings. Fast forward to today, and while still focused on affordability and reliability, the utility industry is undergoing massive transformation – thanks to megatrends like a transition to clean energy, increased digital and distributed grids, and a move to individualized customer services. “My current role did not exist five years ago,” says Cheung. “And I guarantee that it will change in the next few years. The most important thing about my role today, is the need to be adaptable, ever-growing and evolve with business-needs.”
One of the most pressing business needs for the California utility is their focus on reducing the risk of their electrical equipment igniting wildfires. As a member of SCE’s Digital Accelerator & Process Transformation team, Karen works at the forefront of the company’s wildfire mitigation strategies. “Through the development of new digital products, we are reducing wildfire risk, optimizing manual processes, improving productivity, while focusing on keeping our employees safe. Our team is focused on deploying cutting-edge digital products in the areas of mobile, artificial intelligence, machine learning, advanced analytics and robotics. The goal is to reduce risk, cost and increase efficiencies throughout our company.”
We asked Karen a few questions about her career and work at Edison:
What inspires you in the work you do?
I’m inspired by the potential of the future. I’m excited about our Clean Power and Electrification Pathway to fight climate change and improve air quality while leveraging technology. I’m very motivated and optimistic so working with a team that is driven by the ‘potential’ has been inspiring. Change and growth inspires me to continuously find new ways and challenge the status-quo.
Why did you decide to join SCE’s Digital Accelerator team?
I believed in the vision, purpose and the opportunity to help accelerate SCE in the digital era. Even though it’s a bit unknown and we are evolving week to week, the energy of the team, the vision of our leaders, the talent I’m surrounded with, and the passion from the team – confirms my reason for joining.
What advice would you give to a new team member starting?
Be an innovative change-agent, challenge the norm, bring new ideas, and come in ready to lead change!
