Collins Shaffeld
Business Development Associate
Southern Power
Collins Schaffeld is a Business Development Associate within the Acquisitions group at Southern Power, where she supports the identification, evaluation, and execution of new energy investment opportunities across the company’s generation portfolio. In this role, she is actively involved in screening and advancing utility-scale projects, coordinating cross-functional diligence efforts, and supporting transaction execution from early-stage evaluation through closing. Her work includes market and financial analysis, development and offtake structuring, and collaboration with internal teams and external counterparties to assess project viability and align commercial terms.
Prior to joining Business Development, Collins served as an Engineer II within Southern Power’s Financial Structuring team, where she played a key role in executing tax credit transfer transactions and supporting engagements with financial institutions and corporate partners. She led customer-facing financial analyses and contributed to the development and enhancement of internal tools to improve forecasting transparency and efficiency.
Collins holds a Bachelor of Chemical Engineering with a biomedical specialization from Auburn University.
Where do you call home? I’m a born-and-raised Birmingham, AL native.
What are your hobbies? I love spending time with friends and family—especially my baby boy, Wright, who we welcomed in March! When I find a little time to myself, I enjoy needlepoint, crime documentaries, and cooking something new.
What’s the best vacation you’ve taken? My husband and I took a month-long honeymoon through Europe, visiting Greece, France, and Italy. It was an unforgettable trip—and one we’ll be hard-pressed to top.
Favorite food? I’m not picky and love trying new things, but my favorite meal is either homemade Italian or a great steak fajita.
If you were stuck on an island, what three things would you bring? Honestly, being stuck on an island sounds kind of fun! I’d bring my husband (for his fishing skills), a swimsuit, and supplies to make a fun drink while I enjoy the sunshine.
Tell us something we might not know about you. I am an alumna participant in the Miss America Organization. I previously served as Miss Alabama Teen and later as Miss Auburn University (War Eagle!).
What is the last book you read? I’m currently reading Gentle and Lowly by Dane C. Ortlund.
Tell us something on your bucket list. I’d love to see the Northern Lights.
What is the first thing you’d buy if you won the lottery? A house on a beach—location TBD—and a plane to get me there as quickly as possible.
What is your biggest pet peeve? Ambiguity in communication—I prefer clear expectations and well-defined information (the engineer in me!).
Do you have a hidden talent? I trained vocally for 13 years and still love to sing.
What are you currently watching? I tend to rotate between a few shows, but right now I’m enjoying The Closer—a classic that still holds up.