SMC CEO Wins 2025 ‘Women of Influence’ Award

REDWOOD CITY, CA — The Silicon Valley Business Journal recognized a Redwood City CEO April 24 for her leadership in transforming California’s energy landscape.

Shawn Marshall, CEO of Peninsula Clean Energy, was named as one of the 2025 Women of Influence.

Peninsula Clean Energy is the official electricity provider for San Mateo County and Los Banos. It is a Community Choice Energy agency, which is a government agency that provides electricity as an alternative to traditional investor-owned utilities.

Marshal helped launch Califonia’s first CCE. More than half of California’s operational CCEs are led by women and many credit her for mentorship and support.

“Shawn is a trailblazer in clean energy and community leadership,” said Lori Mitchell, San José Clean Energy director. “She has helped stand up multiple community energy agencies across California and mentored a generation of leaders, especially women, and has shown what’s possible when commitment to a vision and local leadership drives climate action.”

In 2022, Marshal joined Peninsula Clean Energy as the chief operating officer and the board of directors elevated her to CEO in 2023.

She oversaw the expansion of the organization’s zero-emission building, transportation electrification program, and helped continue securing emission-free renewable energy and battery storage, according to a press release.

“Shawn has accelerated the success of Peninsula Clean Energy with her visionary leadership and inclusive management style,” said Donna Colson, Burlingame councilmember and Peninsula Clean Energy’s board of directors chair. “Under her leadership, the agency has scaled innovative programs that reinvest in our communities while taking a commonsense approach to providing cleaner energy at lower rates for our ratepayers.”

Marshal was previously the director of CCA Market Development and External Affairs at Calpine Energy Solutions and was the board member of Marin Clean Energy.

On June 26, Marshal and other women will be honored at the 2025 Women Of Influence event.