My decision to pursue a career in climate innovation stems from a deep-seated commitment to addressing one of the most pressing challenges of our time—climate change. During my time at MIT and through my engineering work at organizations like the Department of Energy and ExxonMobil, I witnessed firsthand the immense impact that innovative technologies can have on creating a sustainable future. The realization that we can drive meaningful change through the commercialization of deeptech solutions inspired me to co-found Active Surfaces and dedicate myself to advancing renewable energy technologies.

For those aspiring to lead in the climate tech space, my advice is to cultivate a strong foundation in both technical knowledge and business acumen. Understanding the science behind the solutions you’re advocating for is crucial; it allows you to speak with authority and make informed decisions. However, the ability to navigate the complexities of commercialization, fundraising, and team-building is just as vital. These skills ensure that your innovations can move from concept to market impact. Continuously seek out new knowledge, whether it’s in emerging technologies or the nuances of scaling a business. Surround yourself with mentors, stay adaptable, and never stop refining your skills—each step forward brings you closer to making a real difference. Keep learning, because in this rapidly evolving field, your growth is key to driving meaningful change.

I was motivated to go back and study sustainable design at the Boston Architectural College after facing a number of environmental health issues with my 2 year old (he's now 19!) and embracing a lot of sustainability changes at home. In my class for high-performance buildings, I got the idea for WeSpire - essentially a LEED system for people delivered via an app.

Sustainability is the trifecta of impact. Living and working more sustainably is better for people, planet AND profit. I love seeing how viewing the world through a sustainability lens unlocks extraordinary innovation.

For the past 15 years, I've been focused on supporting the energy transition through entrepreneurial, investing, advisory and board activities. Prior to that I spent two decades in the software industry starting and exiting 2 companies. The key drivers that led me to focus on the energy transition - 1) applying my software background to make an impact in solving the climate crisis 2) the market opportunity in the energy transition and 3) being an inspiration and role model for my three children in pursuing a career with a positive impact

Be curious, ask a lot of questions and always be self aware. My entrepreneurial journey was driven by the desire to solve real problems and surround myself with people I want to work with. Find what drives you and work with people with similar passion and complementary skills to develop your idea - there is a massive opportunity in solving the climate crisis.

While learning about product design in school, I found myself fascinated by our society’s relationship with waste. I was disappointed to learn about the limited viability of recycling, and disappointed to see how our mainstream products are still being created without regard for responsible sourcing, material production impacts, and end of life. This interest continued throughout my career, particularly focusing on the way design can change our behaviors and normalize more responsible actions. Over the years, this curiosity expanded to include a deeper understanding of our waste systems, food systems, and how stakeholders can work together as an ecosystem to solve big, challenging issues facing our planet. I began learning about soil health and how we can draw down and sequester carbon in our soils when we support them properly, and all the pieces clicked together. When my cofounder and I relocated to Los Angeles in 2016, we saw a clear need for accessible and affordable options for composting. Using our combined skills to create a design-forward, user centered composting service felt like a no-brainer. Since then, we’ve served a multitude of residents, businesses, and events of all sizes. We’ve led a staff of five, composted for marathons, and relocated our business to Rhode Island in order to more effectively pursue our vision of creating the tools to empower our industry to grow.I love being able to see my passions come to life in a way that actively engages and serves my community. My work allows me to marry my backgrounds in product design, systems thinking, experience design, community engagement, and sustainability, and apply them to an issue area that connects many of my interests while solving a very low-hanging fruit solution to greenhouse gas emissions and extractive, unsustainable agriculture. I feel privileged every day to get to work with my community, to get my hands dirty (literally) with the process of composting, and to also help to drive change at a national level and validate the role of this work as a critical climate solution.

Find what you love and be ready to fight for it. That being said, be kind to yourself, and find a community of support. Entrepreneurship is just plain hard - entrepreneurs often feel like they’re crazy, especially when the people around them can’t understand their experience. Not everyone’s input will be helpful, and you’ll need to get comfortable trusting yourself and your vision. Find others who have been through the journey - advisors, peers, allies - and lean on them when you’re tired, stuck, or feeling like quitting. While your passion and business is unique to you, the experience of crafting something yourself is a fairly shared experience amongst other makers and starters. Building your own business requires immense amounts of courage, versatility, and tenacity - make a point early on of finding folks who help you restock your mental supplies when times get tough, and continue challenging you even after a big win.

My passion for sustainability was encouraged by my high school physics and biology teachers, who showed me that you could create electricity with an algae-powered fuel cell.  My first job in engineering brought me to NYC.  I would walk home from work and see hundreds of air conditioners hanging out of apartment windows.  I've always thought that there must be a way to design a better air conditioner, one that is more efficient, lighter, and easier to install.

We all live in aging home and buildings.  As these systems reach their end of life, it's imperative that we electrify them and eliminate fossil fuels.  Buy a heat pump instead of an air conditioner, or an induction range instead of a gas stove.  It's now easier and cheaper to go green than to continue burning fossil fuels.  Do it to save money, to save the environment, and for your family's health!

With a background in finance and social entrepreneurship, I was determined to

Look for opportunity - increase your surface area of exposure to new ideas and people who are working on hard problems. Once you find that challenge/opportunity you can't stop thinking about, go all-in! Starting a business is a 10yr or more commitment so enter with that in mind!

Climate change is currently the greatest threat to human kind. If we do not all act together to create carbon free solutions for a global society, human kind will not survive. I believe we can collaboratively alter this course and am committed to contributing my part to make net zero a reality for the planet.

Every small decision counts - as an individual or as a leader in an organization of any size. With any incremental decision always try to think of a solution with a lower carbon impact than your current habit - and, if somehow possible, act on it.