Principal, Affiliated Engineers Inc.; BS, Mechanical Engineering, Boston University
Joanna Pyun leads complex infrastructure and energy projects supporting major institutions’ transition toward more sustainable, resilient utility systems. Known for her collaborative leadership style and practical engineering mindset, Pyun has built a career focused on solving technical challenges while strengthening relationships across project teams. Her experience spans district energy systems, campus utility infrastructure and large-scale decarbonization initiatives for research, health care and higher education facilities. Rather than entering consulting immediately after college, she first worked for a general contractor, gaining hands-on experience with infrastructure projects such as constructing wind turbines, boiler plants and movable bridge systems. This early field experience gave her a deeper understanding of constructability, budgeting and project coordination — skills that continue to shape her approach today. Since joining Affiliated Engineers Inc. (AEI) in 2017, Pyun has played a key role in some of the firm’s most impactful energy transition projects. She has contributed to initiatives such as the University of California, Davis Big Shift project to convert campus steam systems to hot water systems, the UC Berkeley Clean Energy Campus planning and implementation effort and the development of electrification strategies for Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. In addition to her project work, she leads AEI’s San Francisco mechanical department, overseeing a team of engineers while serving as a mentor for emerging professionals. Pyun also volunteers with organizations addressing food insecurity and homelessness, participates in Habitat for Humanity projects and helps organize volunteer efforts that bring her colleagues together for community service. In her free time, she enjoys hiking and camping throughout the Bay Area, playing piano and staying informed on global events through reading the daily news and listening to podcasts.
