Tequila Smith
Chief Sustainability Officer
Covanta
Tequila joined Covanta after over two decades of working in a variety of roles with progressive scope and responsibility at Southern Company, Alabama Power Company and Georgia Power Company with hands-on senior leadership experience in helping industrial
companies engage on issues of sustainability at both a corporate and community level. Most recently, she served as Vice President of Sustainability for Georgia Power Company, the largest subsidiary of Southern Company, one of the nation's largest generators
of electricity. There, she led the implementation of Southern Company’s Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) strategy. Prior to that role Tequila was Vice President of Charitable Giving as well as President of the Alabama Power Foundation
and Director of Energy Services for Alabama Power Company. She was also the General Manager for Renewable Energy Operations at Southern Power.
As Covanta’s new Chief Sustainability Officer, Tequila is responsible for the repositioning and execution of Covanta’s sustainability strategy in accordance with the company’s recent acquisition by EQT, a purpose-driven global investment organization. Tequila will be focused on amplifying the company’s sustainability achievements through the strategic coordination of programs and initiatives through the lens of Environmental, Social and Corporate Governance impacts.
Tequila holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Alabama at Birmingham, where she now sits on the board at the School of Engineering. She also holds board seats on the Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta, Stonehenge Capital Community Development and HudsonAlpha Foundation. She holds a Master of Arts in Communication Studies, specifically focused on organizational leadership from the University of Alabama.
As Covanta’s new Chief Sustainability Officer, Tequila is responsible for the repositioning and execution of Covanta’s sustainability strategy in accordance with the company’s recent acquisition by EQT, a purpose-driven global investment organization. Tequila will be focused on amplifying the company’s sustainability achievements through the strategic coordination of programs and initiatives through the lens of Environmental, Social and Corporate Governance impacts.
Tequila holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Alabama at Birmingham, where she now sits on the board at the School of Engineering. She also holds board seats on the Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta, Stonehenge Capital Community Development and HudsonAlpha Foundation. She holds a Master of Arts in Communication Studies, specifically focused on organizational leadership from the University of Alabama.