Quisha Light, JD, PMP
Beaverton,OR
Summary
Dynamic leader with extensive experience at the City of Portland, excelling in strategic planning and budget management. Proven track record in driving innovation and regulatory compliance, achieving a 36% reduction in pandemic-related debt. Adept at fostering high-performing teams and enhancing customer relationships through effective communication and change management.
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Water Bureau Director (Interim)
City of Portland, Water Bureau
Portland, OR
03.2025 - Current
- Direct comprehensive operations and strategic planning for the state's largest municipal water utility, ensuring reliable drinking water service for nearly one million Oregonians.
- Guide long-range planning and manage a $250M annual budget for a workforce of over 600 employees, optimizing resource allocation and driving bureau-wide effectiveness.
- Direct comprehensive bureau management, including oversight of executive management team consisting of 8 direct reports, and fostering a customer-focused, equitable, and diverse work environment.
- Represent the Bureau in public forums and cultivate high-level collaborations with City Council, elected officials, community groups, and regulatory agencies to shape policy, advocate for bureau interests, and ensure compliance with federal/state regulations like the Safe Drinking Water Act.
- Drive resilience and continuous improvement in water utility operations, ensuring the Bureau meets the evolving needs of Portlanders through strategic initiatives and responsive service delivery.
- Develops and implement critical bureau policies across finance, operations, customer service, and capital projects, ensuring compliance with federal/state regulations (e.g., Safe Drinking Water Act).
Director of Customer Service
City of Portland, Water Bureau
Portland, OR
03.2022 - Current
- Directed a 111-person team, providing customer service for the Water and Environmental Services bureaus.
- Oversaw $600M in revenue collection, $30M operating budget, and all customer-facing operations.
- Sponsored the critical AMI and Customer Engagement Portal project through two RFPs; selected an internal delivery model to optimize value and oversight.
- Developed a digital strategy to modernize customer service and deliver a self-service capacity target of 70% through digital strategy execution.
- Reduced pandemic-related customer debt by 36% through targeted affordability programs.
- Led customer modernization efforts, including mobile service orders, lockbox transition, and customer portal.
- Chaired the Water and Environmental Services Joint Affordability Steering Committee; aligned equity and financial strategies.
- Cultivated workforce excellence through training, succession planning, and change leadership.
Manager, Product Development & Lifecycle Management
Portland General Electric Company
01.2019 - Current
- Led a cross-functional team of 30 product development and project management employees to design and implement innovative products, programs, and services supporting transportation electrification, clean energy, and customer energy management.
- Oversaw a $10 million departmental budget, managing resource allocation and fiscal planning to meet operational goals, and drive growth.
- Launched high-impact clean energy programs, including the Residential Smart Battery Program, the Residential EV Smart Charging Pilot, the Fleet Partner Program, and a new Time-of-Day Rate, advancing PGE’s clean energy commitments.
- Led comprehensive stakeholder engagement with elected officials, regulatory agencies, and community organizations to ensure program alignment with public policies and community needs.
Principal, Strategy Integration
Portland General Electric Company
01.2017 - 01.2019
- Managed complex, cross-functional strategic initiatives to support PGE’s corporate objectives, leading multi-departmental teams to align long-term strategies with clean energy goals.
- Developed and implemented PGE’s decarbonization roadmap, creating a comprehensive strategy that included the launch of a decarbonization dashboard and a Fleet Decarbonization & Electrification Study, driving measurable progress toward sustainability targets.
- Fostered enterprise-wide alignment through stakeholder collaboration and data-driven strategy execution, positioning PGE as an industry leader in climate-forward energy practices.
- Applied long-range strategic planning to integrate decarbonization goals into broader utility operations, ensuring alignment with state and federal regulations.
Project Manager, Integrated Resource Planning
Portland General Electric Company
01.2015 - 01.2017
- Managed high-profile, strategic projects aligned with corporate sustainability and regulatory compliance goals.
- Led a cross-functional team of to design and launch PGE’s first renewable energy tariff (Green Future Impact), which sold out in under two minutes.
- Oversaw the creation and submission of PGE’s long-term Integrated Resource Plans (IRPs), and reduced IRP development timelines by six months.
- Navigated complex stakeholder relationships and regulatory landscapes, fostering collaboration among city officials, customers, and environmental advocates.
Education
Product Strategy Certificate - Product Development
Northwestern Kellogg Executive Education
01.2020
Project Management Professional Certification -
PMI
01.2018
Juris Doctor - Law
University of Memphis, Cecil C. Humphrey’s School of Law
Memphis01.2000
Bachelor of Arts - International Studies
University of The South
Sewanee, TN01.1995
Skills
- Strategic planning
- Regulatory compliance
- Budget management
- Utility finance
- Policy development
- Rate design
- Innovation management
- Customer relationship management
- Team leadership
- Effective communication
- Change management
- Risk management
- Analytical thinking
Prior Legal Experience
- 2011 - 2012 Oregon Psychiatric Security Review Board (Paralegal)
- 2005 - 2007 27th Judicial Dist. Public Defender’s Office (Asst. Public Defender)
- 2002 - 2005 Private Practice - Law Office (Attorney)
- 2000 - 2002 TN Office of Attorney General (Asst. Attorney General)
Leadership Programs
- Water Innovation Leadership Development program, Duke, Nicholas School of the Environment, 2024-2025
- Women’s Executive Leadership Program, The Impact Center, 2023
- Leadership Executive Advancement Program, 2021-2022
- Executive Development Institute, 2016
Boards And Memberships
- Good in the Hood, Board President, 2024-present
- Bridges to Change, Board member & past President, 2017-2025
- Earth Advantage, Board member & past President, 2019-2023
- Beaverton Arts Foundation, Board Member, 2020-2023
- ODOE, Community Renewable Energy Program Advisory Committee, Utility Member, 2021-2022
- Portland Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., multiple leadership positions
Certification
- 2020 Product Strategy Certificate, Northwestern Kellogg Executive Education
- 2018 Project Management Professional Certification, PMI#2144351
Timeline
Water Bureau Director (Interim)
City of Portland, Water Bureau
03.2025 - Current
Director of Customer Service
City of Portland, Water Bureau
03.2022 - Current
Manager, Product Development & Lifecycle Management
Portland General Electric Company
01.2019 - Current
Principal, Strategy Integration
Portland General Electric Company
01.2017 - 01.2019
Project Manager, Integrated Resource Planning
Portland General Electric Company
01.2015 - 01.2017
Product Strategy Certificate - Product Development
Northwestern Kellogg Executive Education
Project Management Professional Certification -
PMI
Juris Doctor - Law
University of Memphis, Cecil C. Humphrey’s School of Law
Bachelor of Arts - International Studies
University of The South
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