POWERGRAMS

PROFILE 12 Natalie Mills' star has risen continually throughout her engineering career. A regulatory engineer at Corporate Headquarters, Mills received Auburn University's Outstanding Young Engineer award during a virtual meeting Sept. 25, 2020. Mills was recognized by the Auburn Alumni Engineering Council for excellence in engineering, professional leadership and technical expertise. It came as no surprise to Connie Hill that Mills would win the prestigious award. Hill, executive director of Girls Inc. of Central Alabama, recognized Mills' leadership skills early on. Hill recalled meeting and getting to know Mills – then a college roommate of Hill's niece – more than 10 years ago. When Hill heard that Mills had moved to Birmingham, she made it a point to reconnect with her friend. "I've known Natalie for a long time, and recruited her to help with Girls Inc.," said Hill, who has served the organization for six years. "I told her all about Girls Inc. and our mission to get girls interested and involved in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). We discussed what would have an impact on the next generation of women leaders. It was an easy sell. "You've got to get to girls when they're young enough to get started on their career path," noted Hill, who is an adjunct professor at Birmingham-Southern College. "If you sit down with a sixth or eighth grader, you can help get them started on a STEM pathway by taking math and science classes. It's better for them to see someone who they can see in that role. Many of the girls have never seen a woman in an engineering job before." With both women working in STEM-related jobs, Hill said, "It was a natural to get Natalie involved." Mills agrees that promoting STEM through Girls Inc. is a perfect fit for her. "One of my passions is encouraging and inspiring young girls to consider a career in engineering," said Mills, a junior board member of Girls Inc.'s Committee of 25. "I love Girls Inc. because it plays directly into exposing young girls to a STEM career. I really believe in Girls Inc. programs because they provide a positive environment for girls." For two years, Mills was instrumental in planning Girls Inc.'s Cajun Cook-off fundraiser. The April 2020 cook-off was postponed because of the pandemic but is set to continue in 2021. SCALING THE HEIGHTS OF EXCITING ENGINEERING CAREER Mills' college career was unusual in that she majored in civil engineering and minored in dance. She puts her math and presentation skills to good use. "I was very fortunate to get a job at Southern Company after graduating from Auburn, and moved to Birmingham having only visited the city once," said Mills, who is from Winter Park, Florida, and earned a master's degree in global energy management from the University of Colorado. Mills joined Earth Sciences and Environmental Engineering at Southern Company Services in 2010 as a geotechnical engineer, learning about soil investigations and foundation design. During that time, the Environmental Protection Agency rolled out proposed regulations for coal combustion residuals. Mills was involved in developing the company's potential coal combustion residual (CCR) compliance strategy. That work led to her role as an environmental assessment engineer in SCS Environmental Affairs, where Mills provided the policy assessment of EPA's suite of greenhouse gas regulations – the Clean Power Plan – for each of Southern Company's operating companies. After two years, Mills moved to SCS System Planning, where she performed asset valuations. Nine months later, she transitioned to the fuel forecasting and scenario planning group, a role in which her fine-tuned presentation skills came into play. In both roles in System Planning, Mills made recommendations using her knowledge of engineering, economics and environmental regulations. In 2019, Mills moved to Regulatory Policy as a key member of Alabama Power's team that worked on the filing of a certificate for new power generation, which was approved by the Alabama Public Service Commission. "Approximately 2,000 megawatts of new generation was approved, including Barry Unit 8," Mills said about the project that took more than a year to complete. "This effort was unprecedented. Our goal is to ensure we continue to provide reliable and affordable energy to our customers. It's definitely been the greatest experience of my career to have been a part of this team." HELPING GIRLS, YOUNG WOMEN REACH A BRIGHT FUTURE Throughout her career, Mills has won accolades for her achievements and community service. Empowering others and acting as a positive force for change has always been among her goals, whether as a United Way loaned executive or as a volunteer for the Junior League of Birmingham. While moving into roles of increasing responsibility at Alabama Power, Mills became a leader in the iCan Girls in Engineering program, helping students discover the world of engineering. She is co-chair of the executive committee of 100+ Women Strong, which recruits, retains and rewards females in Auburn University's Samuel Ginn College of Engineering. "My grandfather was the only engineer I knew while I was growing up," said Mills, who tutored youngsters at Girls Inc. before the pandemic. "That's why I love the opportunity to expose more females to engineering, to let them know it can be a great career path for them. It makes our communities better and stronger when we can inspire girls to grow up to be hardworking and to live their dreams." Since her baby, Maclaine, was born in 2019, Mills said that Girls Inc.'s mission is doubly important to her. "It's really opened my eyes," Mills said. "I tell my daughter every day, 'You can grow up to be strong, smart and bold.' That's Girls Inc.'s mission for every girl, to reach for their dreams." By Donna Cope Mills named Auburn University Outstanding Young Engineer Mills with AU award, and with husband, Bryan, and daughter, Maclaine. Mills is center, front row, among members of AU's 100+ Women Strong.

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