Joan Wills

Executive Director, Cummins Electronics

Ambassador

Joan Wills is the Executive Director at Cummins Electronics, where she is responsible for development and support of electronics hardware, software tools, and sensors across Cummins product lines. From 2016 to 2019, she served as Cummins Power Systems Technical Executive Director, leading development and support of power systems and reciprocating engine systems including both diesel and natural gas fuel options. These products are used in distributed power generation, commercial marine, oil and gas, mining, and rail markets globally. Starting from 2014, she was Chief Engineer and Program Leader developing Cummins high-horsepower engines to meet North America Tier 4 emission regulations. Prior to that, Wills led technology strategy and planning for Cummins and worked with global technical and business leaders to set long-term technical investment direction linked to market and product roadmaps. Her early career experience is in developing control and diagnostic systems for diesel and natural gas engines. She has a career track record of putting together diverse, relevant experts to solve complex energy and engine-related issues plus a passion for clean energy and energy access issues. She holds 24 U.S. patents for her work in internal combustion engine controls and diagnostics. She currently serves as invited Ambassador for the U.S. Department of Energy C3E (Women in Clean Energy). She is a 2021-2024 member of the SAE International Board of Directors and Trustee of the SAE Foundation along with being an active member of SWE and a senior member of IEEE. She holds a Master of Science in Electrical Engineering from The Ohio State University Center for Automotive Research, a Strategy and Innovation certificate from MIT Sloan, and a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from the University of Dayton, Ohio.