Board Member
Hilda joined the board of SouthWest Water in April of 2020. Based in North Carolina, she is a nationally respected expert in the utility space. Her experience includes serving as an Energy Consultant for Duke Energy and Vice President, Corporate Public Affairs with Progress Energy and, following the merger, with Duke Energy. While at Progress, Hilda established the Corporate Public Affairs function, which was expanded to serve 31 states and international interests in Central and South America at Duke.
Hilda served in operating roles with Progress Energy, including Vice President, Northern Region, with
management of distribution of electric service for more than 600,000 customers and community relations with a budget of $80 million, and as Vice President, Energy Delivery Services. In both roles, she achieved top quartile performance in safety, customer satisfaction, and employee engagement.
Hilda began her career on the financial side, serving as an accountant for Colgate Palmolive, a senior auditor for Arthur Andersen, and a financial analyst for Progress. Hilda holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from North Carolina A&T State University and a Master of Business Administration from Duke University Fuqua School of Business. She also completed graduate studies in taxation from St. John’s University and the Executive Program from Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government.
Hilda chairs the Board of Trustees for NC A&T, serves on the Board of Directors for RTI International, and is on the Board of Advisors for 8 Rivers Financial Capital. She is also the past chair for NC Dental Services, Inc. Hilda is a NACD certified Corporate Director and is a Member of Women Corporate Directors. She was recognized and selected as a Director to Watch by The Visionary Board.
