When Tequila Smith’s cousin showed her the world beyond her hometown of Tuscaloosa, Alabama, it opened up her mind to career possibilities that many in her circle thought were intangible. Today, Tequila is a woman of power: literally. She has an award-winning career in engineering, energy and sustainability, including more than two decades at Southern Company, Alabama Power Company and Georgia Power Company. She is currently Executive Vice President and Chief Sustainability Officer for Reworld Waste (formerly Covanta), a company that annually powers over one million homes with renewable energy. Tequila shares her journey from cashier to co-op to corporate leader, while encouraging Black girls in STEM fields to take on challenging opportunities and to bring others to the table with them.