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June (2023) Member Spotlight: Haley Saul (Tacoma Public Utilities)
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June (2023) Member Spotlight: Haley Saul (Tacoma Public Utilities)
@Haley is an active UAI member and provides outstanding influence and contributions to the UAI community through any of our multiple channels, including, but not limited to engagement on UAI Connect, volunteering with UAI, involvement and/or leadership in monthly Community Conversations, and/or speaking at UAI events, plus so much. As thanks, we are featuring her in the UAI Member Spotlight. Haley is the Data Services Program Manager at Tacoma Public Utilities.
Kevin: How did you get into the utility analytics industry?
Haley: Now those are two different things (the utility industry and the analytics industry). 😊 I first entered the utility industry in December of 2014 when I was about 6 months pregnant with my son. I had just left the hospitality industry (hotel management) working long hours and weeks and needed something more stable for my family. An administrative assistant position was open in Tacoma Power’s Rates & Planning division, so I applied! It wasn’t until about two years later when I became Tacoma Power Budget & Strategic Planning Analyst that I started diving into analytics. We needed a software that could capture budget information from managers throughout the utility and a way to combine that data with our ERP and report on it. That was the start of my journey and it just continued from there!
Kevin: What project have you enjoyed working on most in your career?
Haley: The projects I love most are the ones where my entire team gets involved and is super passionate about the outcome! Recently, our advance meter data pipeline (for analytical purposes), kept breaking – just about every day. We couldn’t keep the data up to date, analysts and managers were frustrated, and it was about to start costing us some real money. Every single team member played a part, from communication to stakeholders, to managing the effort to upgrade the pipeline, all the way to saving us over $10,000+ per month – with a more efficient and resilient pipeline. We put our heads together, assigned roles and responsibilities, and ran as fast as we could for an AMAZING outcome for our internal customers.
Kevin: What has been your biggest professional challenge and how did you work through it?
Haley: My biggest professional challenge has been trusting myself; that what I have to offer, and what I know, provides value to my organization. So many times, I have chosen not to speak up in a technical conversation because I didn’t think I was the smartest person in the room. BUT what I’ve learned is posing an idea or asking a question from a non-technical perspective can sometimes spark great ideas and great conversations. I wasn’t able to do this (and still sometimes don’t 😊) until I gave myself permission to get something wrong or to “not look smart”.
Kevin: If you could go back in time and give yourself one piece of advice before entering the utility analytics industry, what would it be?
Haley: Don’t go back and give yourself advice. 😊 I am where I am today because of the wonderful mistakes I’ve made and because of the wins I’ve been able to celebrate. I’ve had amazing people in my corner, lifting me up, answering numerous (seemingly) dumb questions and I’ve also had people doubt me and my abilities. I wouldn’t be the leader I am today, in the industry I’m in, without any of those things.
Kevin: What would you like to talk to fellow colleagues and members about in UAI Connect? Or, what issues or topics would you like to see more discussions on in UAI Connect?
Haley: The space I typically operate in is the program and project management space, rather than the technical space. I would love to see how other utilities are incorporating change management, continuous improvement, project management, and communication best practices into their processes and systems. I enjoy pulling from all of these disciplines and discovering the best way to serve each customer individually.
Kevin: Thank you so much for sharing with us and for being a highly engaged member of UAI!
Do you have any final thoughts, ideas, or comments you would like to share with your fellow UAI members?
Haley: For a long time, I let fear get in the way of trying something bold and something new. If you have an idea, go for it! One of my favorite quotes by Tony Robbins is, “Stop being afraid of what could go wrong and instead think about what could go right.” It’s the only way we do better!
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Kevin Praet
Membership Coordinator
Utility Analytics Institute (UAI)
Boulder CO
315-440-3033
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2 Replies
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Well said, Haley! There is much wisdom in your words.
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Sincerely,Sandi Joralemon
Sr. Research Analyst
Utility Analytics Institute
sjoralemon@utilityanalytics.com
830.832.5042
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Original Message:
Sent: 06-05-2023 08:01
From: Kevin Praet
Subject: June (2023) Member Spotlight: Haley Saul (Tacoma Public Utilities)@Haley is an active UAI member and provides outstanding influence and contributions to the UAI community through any of our multiple channels, including, but not limited to engagement on UAI Connect, volunteering with UAI, involvement and/or leadership in monthly Community Conversations, and/or speaking at UAI events, plus so much. As thanks, we are featuring her in the UAI Member Spotlight. Haley is the Data Services Program Manager at Tacoma Public Utilities.
Kevin: How did you get into the utility analytics industry?
Haley: Now those are two different things (the utility industry and the analytics industry). 😊 I first entered the utility industry in December of 2014 when I was about 6 months pregnant with my son. I had just left the hospitality industry (hotel management) working long hours and weeks and needed something more stable for my family. An administrative assistant position was open in Tacoma Power’s Rates & Planning division, so I applied! It wasn’t until about two years later when I became Tacoma Power Budget & Strategic Planning Analyst that I started diving into analytics. We needed a software that could capture budget information from managers throughout the utility and a way to combine that data with our ERP and report on it. That was the start of my journey and it just continued from there!
Kevin: What project have you enjoyed working on most in your career?
Haley: The projects I love most are the ones where my entire team gets involved and is super passionate about the outcome! Recently, our advance meter data pipeline (for analytical purposes), kept breaking – just about every day. We couldn’t keep the data up to date, analysts and managers were frustrated, and it was about to start costing us some real money. Every single team member played a part, from communication to stakeholders, to managing the effort to upgrade the pipeline, all the way to saving us over $10,000+ per month – with a more efficient and resilient pipeline. We put our heads together, assigned roles and responsibilities, and ran as fast as we could for an AMAZING outcome for our internal customers.
Kevin: What has been your biggest professional challenge and how did you work through it?
Haley: My biggest professional challenge has been trusting myself; that what I have to offer, and what I know, provides value to my organization. So many times, I have chosen not to speak up in a technical conversation because I didn’t think I was the smartest person in the room. BUT what I’ve learned is posing an idea or asking a question from a non-technical perspective can sometimes spark great ideas and great conversations. I wasn’t able to do this (and still sometimes don’t 😊) until I gave myself permission to get something wrong or to “not look smart”.
Kevin: If you could go back in time and give yourself one piece of advice before entering the utility analytics industry, what would it be?
Haley: Don’t go back and give yourself advice. 😊 I am where I am today because of the wonderful mistakes I’ve made and because of the wins I’ve been able to celebrate. I’ve had amazing people in my corner, lifting me up, answering numerous (seemingly) dumb questions and I’ve also had people doubt me and my abilities. I wouldn’t be the leader I am today, in the industry I’m in, without any of those things.
Kevin: What would you like to talk to fellow colleagues and members about in UAI Connect? Or, what issues or topics would you like to see more discussions on in UAI Connect?
Haley: The space I typically operate in is the program and project management space, rather than the technical space. I would love to see how other utilities are incorporating change management, continuous improvement, project management, and communication best practices into their processes and systems. I enjoy pulling from all of these disciplines and discovering the best way to serve each customer individually.
Kevin: Thank you so much for sharing with us and for being a highly engaged member of UAI!
Do you have any final thoughts, ideas, or comments you would like to share with your fellow UAI members?
Haley: For a long time, I let fear get in the way of trying something bold and something new. If you have an idea, go for it! One of my favorite quotes by Tony Robbins is, “Stop being afraid of what could go wrong and instead think about what could go right.” It’s the only way we do better!
——————————
Kevin Praet
Membership Coordinator
Utility Analytics Institute (UAI)
Boulder CO
315-440-3033
—————————— -
Wonderfully said, Haley! I have also been working in the change management and continuous improvement space and would love to chat in more detail about your journey.
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Carol Bogacz
Principal Consultant – Grid Analytics
Burns and McDonnell – 1898 & Co.
8166513189
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Original Message:
Sent: 06-05-2023 10:38
From: Sandi Joralemon
Subject: June (2023) Member Spotlight: Haley Saul (Tacoma Public Utilities)Well said, Haley! There is much wisdom in your words.
——————————
Sincerely,Sandi Joralemon
Sr. Research Analyst
Utility Analytics Institute
sjoralemon@utilityanalytics.com
830.832.5042
——————————Original Message:
Sent: 06-05-2023 08:01
From: Kevin Praet
Subject: June (2023) Member Spotlight: Haley Saul (Tacoma Public Utilities)@Haley is an active UAI member and provides outstanding influence and contributions to the UAI community through any of our multiple channels, including, but not limited to engagement on UAI Connect, volunteering with UAI, involvement and/or leadership in monthly Community Conversations, and/or speaking at UAI events, plus so much. As thanks, we are featuring her in the UAI Member Spotlight. Haley is the Data Services Program Manager at Tacoma Public Utilities.
Kevin: How did you get into the utility analytics industry?
Haley: Now those are two different things (the utility industry and the analytics industry). 😊 I first entered the utility industry in December of 2014 when I was about 6 months pregnant with my son. I had just left the hospitality industry (hotel management) working long hours and weeks and needed something more stable for my family. An administrative assistant position was open in Tacoma Power’s Rates & Planning division, so I applied! It wasn’t until about two years later when I became Tacoma Power Budget & Strategic Planning Analyst that I started diving into analytics. We needed a software that could capture budget information from managers throughout the utility and a way to combine that data with our ERP and report on it. That was the start of my journey and it just continued from there!
Kevin: What project have you enjoyed working on most in your career?
Haley: The projects I love most are the ones where my entire team gets involved and is super passionate about the outcome! Recently, our advance meter data pipeline (for analytical purposes), kept breaking – just about every day. We couldn’t keep the data up to date, analysts and managers were frustrated, and it was about to start costing us some real money. Every single team member played a part, from communication to stakeholders, to managing the effort to upgrade the pipeline, all the way to saving us over $10,000+ per month – with a more efficient and resilient pipeline. We put our heads together, assigned roles and responsibilities, and ran as fast as we could for an AMAZING outcome for our internal customers.
Kevin: What has been your biggest professional challenge and how did you work through it?
Haley: My biggest professional challenge has been trusting myself; that what I have to offer, and what I know, provides value to my organization. So many times, I have chosen not to speak up in a technical conversation because I didn’t think I was the smartest person in the room. BUT what I’ve learned is posing an idea or asking a question from a non-technical perspective can sometimes spark great ideas and great conversations. I wasn’t able to do this (and still sometimes don’t 😊) until I gave myself permission to get something wrong or to “not look smart”.
Kevin: If you could go back in time and give yourself one piece of advice before entering the utility analytics industry, what would it be?
Haley: Don’t go back and give yourself advice. 😊 I am where I am today because of the wonderful mistakes I’ve made and because of the wins I’ve been able to celebrate. I’ve had amazing people in my corner, lifting me up, answering numerous (seemingly) dumb questions and I’ve also had people doubt me and my abilities. I wouldn’t be the leader I am today, in the industry I’m in, without any of those things.
Kevin: What would you like to talk to fellow colleagues and members about in UAI Connect? Or, what issues or topics would you like to see more discussions on in UAI Connect?
Haley: The space I typically operate in is the program and project management space, rather than the technical space. I would love to see how other utilities are incorporating change management, continuous improvement, project management, and communication best practices into their processes and systems. I enjoy pulling from all of these disciplines and discovering the best way to serve each customer individually.
Kevin: Thank you so much for sharing with us and for being a highly engaged member of UAI!
Do you have any final thoughts, ideas, or comments you would like to share with your fellow UAI members?
Haley: For a long time, I let fear get in the way of trying something bold and something new. If you have an idea, go for it! One of my favorite quotes by Tony Robbins is, “Stop being afraid of what could go wrong and instead think about what could go right.” It’s the only way we do better!
——————————
Kevin Praet
Membership Coordinator
Utility Analytics Institute (UAI)
Boulder CO
315-440-3033
——————————
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