Theresa -Tee- Shields

Building Leadership Capacity Across U.S. Infrastructure Markets | Retained Executive Search & Workforce Strategy

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States

About

Infrastructure expansion across U.S. markets is accelerating — energy, environmental remediation, grid modernization, water, transportation. Leadership capacity is not scaling at the same pace. As 2026 planning cycles take shape, infrastructure and engineering organizations are pressure-testing succession depth, operational durability, and workforce precision in ways that extend beyond traditional hiring strategy. I work at the intersection of executive search and workforce strategy — advising infrastructure, environmental, and advanced industry leadership teams navigating growth, governance visibility, and talent scarcity in one of the most competitive hiring environments in decades. I founded TSSG Diversity in 1995 with a clear vision: to expand access and create equitable pathways for exceptional women and professionals of color in engineering, science, and technical industries. Over nearly three decades, TSSG has evolved into a retained executive search and strategic workforce advisory partner supporting national A/E/C, infrastructure, environmental, and clean energy organizations. Our work centers on: • Executive and board-level succession • Leadership capacity strengthening • Critical technical and operational role placement • Governance-aligned workforce strategy To extend this work, I founded INCLUCE — a clean energy and climate workforce platform designed to strengthen technical pipeline depth across engineering and infrastructure markets. Together, TSSG Diversity and INCLUCE form a multi-layered ecosystem: Executive succession strength at the top. Sustainable technical workforce depth below. Capacity is built, not filled. WHAT I DO • Retained executive search across infrastructure and environmental markets • Governance-aware succession advisory • Workforce strategy aligned to operational execution • Long-horizon talent planning in growth-intensive environments I operate with clarity and discipline. If we engage, it is because precision matters. Equitable leadership pipelines are not separate from performance — they are central to durability, innovation, and long-term industry impact. This is the work. This is the responsibility. This is the commitment.

Experience

  • TSSG Diversity (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States · Hybrid)
    • Founder & CEO - TSSG Diversity
      Jan 1995 - Present · 31 yrs 6 mos

      TSSG Diversity is an equity-driven executive search and workforce strategy firm specializing in leadership, engineering, and technical recruitment across A/E/C, clean energy, environmental, sustainability, and advanced industries. For 25+ years, we have partnered with organizations to strengthen leadership pipelines, expand access to exceptional talent, and build future-ready, equitable workforces. What We Deliver Executive & senior-level search across engineering, operations, and technical domains Workforce strategy aligned to organizational growth and 2025–2026 planning National and global recruitment for emerging leaders through executive roles Confidential, high-impact search solutions with exceptional completion rates Our Impact We maintain one of the strongest multicultural engineering and technical networks in the industry. Our approach prioritizes precision, integrity, and measurable business outcomes.

    • Director, Clean Energy Business Development & Talent Acquisition — TSSG Diversity
      Apr 2021 - Present · 5 yrs 3 mos

      Lead strategy, partnerships, and talent initiatives supporting clean energy, utilities, and sustainability clients. Support organizations preparing for growth, operational transition, and workforce modernization across distributed energy resources, storage, hydrogen, and renewable infrastructure. Focus Areas Clean energy workforce strategy Technical & operational recruitment Leadership search for emerging and scaling climate organizations Advisory support for equitable talent access in energy + infrastructure

    • Founder — TSSG AEC Executive Search Practice
      Sep 2013 - Present · 12 yrs 10 mos

      Established to meet global talent acquisition needs within Architecture, Engineering, Construction, Energy, and Environmental sectors. We place leaders and technical experts driving infrastructure development, environmental stewardship, and complex project delivery. Core Strengths Leadership search for A/E/C organizations Recruitment across engineering disciplines (civil, environmental, structural, mechanical, electrical, power) Assessment of technical excellence + leadership capability Multicultural, global recruitment approach supporting workforce equity

  • President and CEO at INCLUCE
    Jan 2024 - Present · 2 yrs 6 mos

    INCLUCE is a clean energy and climate workforce platform connecting Multi-cultured professionals with employers building a sustainable, innovative future. The platform supports organizations navigating rapid renewable energy expansion and talent shortages across climate-critical fields. What INCLUCE Provides A national talent ecosystem for clean energy: solar, wind, EV, grid, climate tech, and sustainability Workforce insights and hiring signals for technical and operational roles Access to underrepresented, mid-career engineering and scientific professionals Tools, programming, and support for professionals entering and advancing in clean energy Mission To accelerate a clean energy workforce that is equitable, inclusive, and reflective of the communities it serves. 🔗 INCLUCE.com

  • Managing Director, Energy & Power Practice — EEG Recruiting at EEG Recruiting
    Jan 2008 - Jan 2017 · 9 yrs 1 mo

    Led national technical recruitment for Energy, Power, Utilities, Telecommunications, Water, and Infrastructure sectors. Oversaw team operations, search strategy, and delivery of high-impact talent solutions for mission-critical roles. Key Contributions Built and managed a national search practice Delivered confidential search solutions for complex engineering roles Partnered across power generation, water/wastewater, and environmental services Strengthened talent pipelines with proactive sourcing and strategic workforce alignment