Her Story
About Kimberlie
Kimberlie Cole is an accomplished energy executive and infrastructure resilience leader with more than 35 years of experience spanning sustainability, environmental management, energy infrastructure, and national security. She currently serves as Energy Executive and Infrastructure Asset Optimization Program Lead at the Y-12 National Security Complex in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, where she leads enterprise-wide energy strategy and infrastructure optimization initiatives that support critical national security missions. In this role, she integrates energy management across multidisciplinary teams, advances operational efficiency, and develops resilient systems designed to strengthen long-term organizational performance.
Throughout her career, Cole has worked at the intersection of environmental stewardship, infrastructure modernization, and organizational transformation. Her professional journey began in a microbiology laboratory analyzing hazardous waste samples before expanding into radioactive and hazardous waste management, environmental compliance, sustainability, and energy security. Prior to joining Y-12 as an employee, she spent several years providing strategic consulting to Department of Energy organizations through Strata-G, LLC, where she led resilience planning, infrastructure modernization, climate adaptation, and resource optimization projects. Earlier in her career, she founded and led West Wind Farms LLC, demonstrating innovative approaches to renewable energy, sustainable resource management, workforce development, and community engagement.
Cole earned her Bachelor of Science in Biology and Psychology from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, graduating summa cum laude with a 3.75 GPA. She is a LEED Green Associate, a Data Center Environmental Professional (DCEP), and an Association of Energy Engineers Certified Energy Manager, with plans to pursue graduate studies in nuclear engineering. Recognized for her systems-thinking approach, she is passionate about integrating people, technology, and infrastructure to improve resilience, energy security, and mission readiness while mentoring the next generation of energy and infrastructure professionals.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Kimberlie
01What do you attribute your success to?
My success comes in part from a mentor who helped me build confidence through preparation, especially in male-dominated environments. I also attribute it to pursuing things I'm interested in, maintaining my curiosity, and constantly seeking new learning opportunities.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Follow your curiosity. Don't be intimidated by the things you don't know. Be as prepared as you can be. Do what you can do without hesitation. Don't wait until you feel ready, because you're going to learn and gain confidence from doing the thing.
03What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenge is developing resources to keep up with the speed of technology, training people for new technologies, adapting systems and organizations to be responsive, and handling technologies helpfully without harm like inadvertently releasing secrets. The opportunity is that the field is open to STEM-oriented folks filling new roles in science, technology, and energy.
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