“The Force Awakens” in the C-Suite: As 2015 Becomes 2016, “Nice to Haves” Become “Must Haves”

As 2015 becomes 2016, it is striking how many issues that were once dismissed as “just a public relations issue” or “nice to haves,” underfunded and relegated to departments deemed less influential, are now high priorities in the C-suite. (Photo credit: Doug Mills) What’s going on? Has the Star Wars “Force” awakened the C-suite?

Carol Kordich, Director of Sustainable Materials at Ford

You may be sitting on plastic bottles in your car! Carol Kordich, head of Global Sustainable Fabric Strategies and Development at Ford Motor Company explains to Joan how significant parts of several Ford cars and trucks are made from sustainable materials, including seat fabric made in part from the REPREVE material that turns plastic water… Continue reading Carol Kordich, Director of Sustainable Materials at Ford

Adoption and Adaptation in the Energy Terrain

Betsy McCorkle directs the North Carolina Sustainable Energy Association’s (NCSEA) governmental affairs work. As a registered lobbyist, she works with legislators, state and local government officials, state agencies, the clean energy industry and allied organizations to educate them on clean energy issues and ensure passage of the NCSEA legislative agenda. Listen to Joan’s conversation with… Continue reading Adoption and Adaptation in the Energy Terrain

Transforming Wind Turbines – Interview with Jennifer Baird

From the ARPA-E Innovation Summit, listen to Joan talk with Jennifer Baird of Accio Energy about their new wind energy technology that is turning the wind power industry on its ear.  A brilliant combination of engineering and physics, this blade-free aerovoltaic wind power is scalable, easily manufactured, and less cost prohibitive to implement. Who came… Continue reading Transforming Wind Turbines – Interview with Jennifer Baird

Go Electric’s Blinkless Technology – Interview with Lisa Laughner

Innovation in the utilities sector is huge right now with lots of moving parts, both literally and figuratively.  How can we prevent another Super Storm Sandy type of power grid overload? Listen to Joan live from the ARPA-E 2014 Innovation Summit, as she talks with Lisa Laughner the CEO, President and Founder of Go Electric… Continue reading Go Electric’s Blinkless Technology – Interview with Lisa Laughner

‘Shark Tank’ winner, Andrea Sreshta

Andrea Sreshta, Luminaid Cofounder

Listen to this exciting interview with recent ‘Shark Tank’ winner, Andrea Sreshta. She and her business partner were awarded $200K from Mark Cuban (and his support) for their product, LuminAID, a solar powered inflatable light. In response to the massive earthquake in Haiti, LuminAID was born out of the need the two saw for one… Continue reading ‘Shark Tank’ winner, Andrea Sreshta

Seeing Ourselves Through the Detroit Auto Show

Our vehicles are an intimate part of our lives, as family and home wrapped into one. We have love affairs with them, give them names and talk to them, and kick them when they break down and frustrate us. We decide which car to buy based on emotion as much as (if not more than)… Continue reading Seeing Ourselves Through the Detroit Auto Show

Washington, DC 2030 – Preserving History and Nature’s Bounty

By Joan Michelson   Note: This blog is entered into the Masdar 2015 Engage Blogging Contest, to “Describe Your City in 2030” – CLICK HERE for more information and/or to vote for this post.   Changing the infrastructure in a nation’s capital, filled with historic landmarks and powerful, entrenched political interests, as well as heightened… Continue reading Washington, DC 2030 – Preserving History and Nature’s Bounty

The Next Generation of Clean Energy Solutions — Six Takeaways From Two Approaches

“Some call me nature. Others call me Mother Nature. I’ve been here for over four and a half billion years. 22,500 times longer than you. I don’t really need people, but people need me. Yes, your future depends on me. When I thrive, you thrive. When I falter, you falter. Or worse. …” NatureSpeaking video… Continue reading The Next Generation of Clean Energy Solutions — Six Takeaways From Two Approaches

Cleantech Open 2014

The Cleantech Open is the world’s largest cleantech accelerator and is dedicated to providing entrepreneurs and technologists the resources needed to launch a successful cleantech company.   Joan Michelson was once again in attendance for the 3rd Annual Cleantech Open Southeast Regional Innovation Summit and Gala in Alexandria, Virginia.  The CTOSE Summit showcased amazing entrepreneurs who… Continue reading Cleantech Open 2014