Today’s guest is Jay Bellows, President of KORE Power, a vertically-integrated energy storage company focusing on grid reliability and renewable energy sources. Jay previously led Northern Reliability, a leader in distributed energy storage, as CEO and President from 2013-2022. After merging NRI with KORE Power and taking the reins, Jay now oversees an impressive list of innovations, technological advances, and market success. He shares his thoughts on the transition to renewable energy, explain...
Sep 07, 2023•38 min•Season 2Ep. 23
This week’s guest is Damon Barron, founder and president of Carolina Urban Lumber, a timber company that turns wood waste heading for landfills into high quality furniture. Trees absorb a lot of carbon, but if those trees are cut down and go unused, wasted sitting in landfills, they degrade, end up in landfills, and release that same carbon back into the atmosphere, harming the environment. By diverting those carbon-filled, ‘wasted’ trees away from landfills and turning them into furniture, Damo...
Aug 24, 2023•33 min•Season 2Ep. 22
This week’s guest is Catherine Roggero-Lovisi, CEO of the bio-design technology company Modern Meadow. Founded in 2011, these researchers and scientists are using nature-inspired proteins to develop sustainable materials and products for fashion, beauty, and other industries, like biomaterial alternatives to leather! After leadership roles at L’Oréal, Christian Louboutin, and Revlon Inc, Catherine joined Modern Meadow as President and COO in 2021. She became CEO in 2022, and she’s using her glob...
Aug 17, 2023•52 min•Season 2Ep. 21
Alfred Johnson, CEO and Co-Founder of Crux Climate, a software startup revolutionizing clean energy tax credit management, is this week’s guest. Alfred is well-suited to break down clean energy tax incentives, share founders' lessons, and talk about the rapidly growing clean energy market, which is expected to receive $3 billion in investments over the next decade. Alfred is a Stanford grad who worked for the U.S. Treasury Department and BlackRock before launching his first software company with...
Aug 10, 2023•46 min•Season 2Ep. 20
Named one of The Peach State’s most influential leaders, Chris Clark, President and CEO of the Georgia Chamber of Commerce, joins us to talk clean manufacturing, the CEO Imperative, and The Georgia Way, for the first ever live recording of Consensus in Conversation, at our recent event: Southern Surge: Next Generation Manufacturing Summit . Next-gen clean energy manufacturing is already driving powerful economic growth in Georgia and throughout the South, while also delivering positive impacts f...
Aug 03, 2023•31 min•Season 2Ep. 19
Jenny Du just wants to make sure we all eat our veggies. This PhD, entrepreneur, innovator and scientist is this week’s Consensus in Conversation guest! She is the co-founder and SVP of Operations at Apeel Sciences, a food innovation company that’s raised more than $700M in funding to date with its simple yet revolutionary idea: put a protective layer, or peel, around produce to keep them fresher, longer. Jenny shares her unique path to entrepreneurship, the origin story of Apeel, how they’re he...
Jul 27, 2023•41 min•Season 2Ep. 18
President and CEO of Trout Unlimited (TU), Chris Wood loves a good outdoor adventure. A longtime conservationist and angler, his dedication to the natural world is inspiring, whether he’s talking environmental policy, Aldo Leopold, Trout Unlimited, or… fishing. Trout Unlimited is a nonprofit working to protect salmon and trout while keeping America’s fisheries and freshwater rivers healthy. With over 300,000 members, TU is upending traditional conceptions of conservation by including everyone in...
Jul 20, 2023•42 min•Season 2Ep. 17
We’re joined by Paul Snyder, Executive VP of Stewardship at Tillamook County Creamery, the 112-year-old farmer-owned dairy co-op and iconic Oregonian brand. Tillamook Creamery attracts over 1 million visitors a year, and even if you’ve never been to Oregon, you’ve definitely seen their ice cream and other products in grocery stores across the country. Paul started in the hospitality industry and worked his way to Tillamook, where he’s leading sustainability-driven partnerships and aligning impac...
Jul 13, 2023•46 min•Season 2Ep. 16
Margo Walsh, CEO and Founder of MaineWorks, a B Corp that helps former felons recover from addiction and reenter the labor force, joins today’s episode. Margo herself is in long-term recovery from substance abuse disorder, and her honesty, commitment to reinvigorating the lives of others, and passion to do good is inspiring. Listen now on your favorite podcast platform. More from the episode: MaineWorks → https://www.maineworks.us/ MaineWorks on LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/company/mainew...
Jun 29, 2023•43 min•Season 2Ep. 15
You’ve probably heard – or seen a pair – of Allbirds, the eco-friendly shoe brand disrupting the fashion and footwear industries. Joey Zwillinger, CEO and co-founder of this certified B Corp, joins the pod to talk about the company’s origin, discuss how he aligns purpose and profits, and share his insights on the future of fashion, footwear, and sustainability. Joey’s story starts in California, ventures through banking and VC, and, after a chance encounter with co-founder Tim Brown, leads to th...
Jun 22, 2023•41 min•Season 2Ep. 14
Mark Danzenbaker, CEO of GridPoint, and Peter Corsell, Founder and Chairman of GridPoint, are energy industry experts. The clean technology company helps businesses, buildings, and energy grids optimize energy efficiency, reducing carbon footprints and improving grid resilience. Peter, a former member of the CIA, founded the company at only 25 years old in 2003, building it from the ground up. Mark joined GridPoint in 2009, and has successfully scaled the firm since becoming CEO in 2016. The two...
Jun 15, 2023•38 min•Season 2Ep. 13
Jeff Simmons, President and CEO of Elanco Animal Health, brings more than 30 years of industry experience to the table. He’s worked his way up to the top of Elanco’s leadership, where he leads their innovative approach to animal health and food security for all. This conversation focuses on Elanco’s mission, food security, animal health, and Jeff’s pursuit to align purpose with profits. Listen now on your favorite podcast platform. More from the episode: Elanco's Website → https://www.elanco.com...
Jun 08, 2023•39 min•Season 2Ep. 12
Jean-Louis Warnholz, Co-Founder and CEO of Future, has years of experience in and around emerging markets. His time spent researching economics at Oxford, work for global economic institutions and the U.S. government, and leadership role at BlackIvy Group led him to launch Future in 2021. Future incentivizes users to lower their carbon footprints. Their core product is the Future Card, a debit card offering cashback rewards to users for low carbon purchases, like public transit. Jean-Louis bring...
Jun 01, 2023•36 min•Season 2Ep. 11
Cisco DeVries is all about energy. Before jolting OhmConnect to new heights as CEO, Cisco designed a clean energy product called Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) and later launched Renew Financial, a startup based on the PACE product. With natural disasters and grid problems on the rise, there’s no one better to explain what it all means and how companies are building a more resilient, eco-friendly grid for all. Cisco brings over 20 years of energy industry experience to the table. Join the...
May 25, 2023•42 min•Season 2Ep. 10
Andrew Gibbs-Dabney, Founder and CEO of LIVSN, a sustainable outdoor clothing brand, joins this week’s episode. Before his success launching LIVSN, Andrew struggled with addiction, which led to his incarceration. On his long road to recovery, he set his life back on track and eventually launched LIVSN, which raised over $100K through a Kickstarter campaign. Andrew’s powerful story spans recovery and rehab, launching a startup, and building a sustainable brand that aligns purpose and profits. We ...
May 18, 2023•46 min•Season 2Ep. 9
Chris Anderson, CEO of Vantem Global, is on a mission to build sustainable, affordable energy efficient homes at scale. Vantem’s 3 million square feet of prefabricated dwelling units reduce construction costs, delivery times, and energy use. Before Vantem, Chris was the founder and CEO of Simex, a sustainably harvested timber company. If there’s anyone that knows the ins and outs of sustainable construction, it’s this guy. Chris brings a unique perspective, passion, and expertise on sustainable ...
May 11, 2023•31 min•Season 2Ep. 8
Jill Brosig is a physicist turned Managing Director, Chief Impact & ESG Officer at Harrison Street. And, she has done it all, from researching inertial confinement fusion and earning her masters in engineering and now helping to pioneer new asset classes at Harrison Street. Jill brings a science-first approach to the investment firm, which focuses exclusively on alternative real assets. But for Jill, portfolio theory means measuring, managing, and reporting for the big picture including the ...
May 04, 2023•34 min•Season 2Ep. 7
After serving as a U.S. Navy SEAL for almost a decade, Greg Putnam co-founded Little Belt Cattle Co. (LBCC), a first generation Montana cattle ranch, in 2020. Greg started the company with almost no ranching experience, but he has successfully grown the local beef business to new heights, even in an industry not known for newcomers. Greg stands out for his mission-driven leadership style, commitment to regenerative ranching practices and veterans, and ability to instill purpose into everything h...
Apr 27, 2023•32 min•Season 2Ep. 6
When Smooth Ambler opened in 2009, few envisioned the craft whiskey distillery would grow so big so fast. John Little, co-founder and whiskey maker, started the company with his father-in-law. The two had no experience with distilling, but their enthusiasm to learn, commitment to transparent labeling, and community-driven ethos has brought them success and industry-wide respect. Despite the fact that many high priced bourbons and whiskeys are older than the company itself, Smooth Ambler is a shi...
Apr 20, 2023•37 min•Season 2Ep. 5
Land O’ Lakes is known for butter: they make 300 million POUNDS annually! But equally as important: their commitment to sustainable agriculture. Tina May, VP, Rural Services and Chief of Staff to the CEO, joins us to talk agriculture, broadband, rural services, and so much more. From her start as a grain merchandiser, to her work at the USDA, to Land O’ Lakes, where she leads the development of the American Connection Corp and countless other sustainability initiatives, Tina has proven the power...
Apr 13, 2023•34 min•Season 2Ep. 4
Roger McClendon is always near the top: he finished as the second all-time scorer for the University of Cincinnati men’s basketball’s team, behind only Oscar Robertson, became Yum! Brands’ first-ever Chief Sustainability Officer, and now leads the Green Sports Alliance, a national organization promoting sustainability in sports. Roger’s talent and leadership has taken him from hardwood courts to boardrooms, leaving behind a trail of success and positive impact. Our conversation bridges his caree...
Apr 06, 2023•33 min•Season 2Ep. 3
Navy SEALs and successful entrepreneurs share at least one thing: both are hard work! Meet Tim Sheehy, a former US Navy SEAL officer turned successful entrepreneur. Tim is Founder and CEO of Bridger Aerospace, an aerial firefighting company. He previously founded and sold Ascent Vision Technologies (AVT), a data and surveillance-driven defense and aerospace company. If anyone has found a way to make challenging work look easy, it might just be Tim. The episode’s live, so click play and listen on...
Mar 30, 2023•34 min•Season 2Ep. 2
Imagine a restaurant that changes its menu twice a day, every week. Why? To reduce food waste and support local farmers. Enter Chef Steve McHugh: a record six-time finalist for Best Chef in Texas. We talk about his time at the CIA (no, not that one), learning cooking skills, rebuilding after Hurricane Katrina, and overcoming non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. Oh, and, launching restaurants while growing a community in San Antonio too. If you’re hungry, grab a snack, sit back, and hit play! More Chef Steve ...
Mar 23, 2023•32 min•Season 2Ep. 1
I'm joined by Vailia and Russell From, two friends and winemakers pushing the boundaries of creativity and innovation in the wine industry, while staying focused on sustainability and being good stewards of the lands they cultivate. Vailia has worked in all things wine– from the restaurant floor to sales to importing to harvesting, and now she’s running her very own Desparada, a vineyard rooted in spirit and elegance. Russell is a wine creative– whether it’s a wine that stays in contact with the...
Dec 08, 2022•25 min•Season 1Ep. 11
We're joined by Juliana Garaizar, an angel investor working as the head of innovation for Greentown Labs, the largest climate tech incubator in North America. Juliana has lived across the globe, and now she’s now in Houston– working on the intersection of climate tech, sustainability, and entrepreneurship. We discuss entrepreneurship, supporting climate-positive startups, advocating for inclusivity in the workspace - particularly in finance - how to create maximum impact with minimal environment...
Dec 01, 2022•29 min•Season 1Ep. 10
Today we welcome Charles Dimmler, CEO and co-founder of Checkerspot, and Matt Sterbenz, GM of Wintersports. Checkerspot is a high performance materials company proving that you don’t have to choose between sustainability and performance. Founded in 2016, the company is pioneering a planet-first approach to product creation and innovating the outdoor industry through biotechnology and sustainability. WNDR Alpine, Checkerspot’s consumer-facing backcountry skis are made from algae, and the first of...
Nov 17, 2022•30 min•Season 1Ep. 9
This week’s guest is Lew Moorman, co-founder of Scaleworks, a venture capital firm, and Soilworks Natural Capital, an investment fund. Lew grew up in Texas Hill Country, home to some of America’s best ranchland, and although he started his career in consulting, he found his passion in venture capital, helping small software companies flourish. Now, he has turned his sights towards one of America’s oldest (and largest industries) – agriculture – where he is helping to lead the regenerative agricu...
Nov 10, 2022•26 min•Season 1Ep. 8
This week’s guest is Brent Harris. He’s the VP of Governance at Meta, where he has played an integral role in the organization’s approach towards governance, including the creation and development of the Oversight Board. He is currently helping the company and broader industry to envision and build a Metaverse with empathy, accessibility, and sustainability at its core. Brent’s career has stretched from nonprofits to public service and the private sector. This diverse background makes him well-s...
Nov 03, 2022•37 min•Season 1Ep. 7
We welcome Michael Blaugrund, Chief Operating Officer at the New York Stock Exchange, to talk about Natural Asset Companies (NACs), ESG, the capital market landscape, and the NYSE’s role in it all. Nature and the related ecosystem services are worth an estimated $100-$150 trillion a year, revealing a massive opportunity for nature in the business world. NACs aim to unlock that value as they support and protect our natural resources. Find out what this all means for the future of business, the ma...
Oct 27, 2022•20 min•Season 1Ep. 6
We’re joined by Jonathan Goldberg, founder and CEO of Carbon Direct, a company at the forefront of scaling carbon management and the negative emission industry. Jonathan’s diverse career, from trading at Goldman Sachs to founding a commodity hedge fund to becoming a partner at Glencore, gives him a unique perspective on the future of energy, particularly at this moment in history as we transition to the clean economy. As America’s big businesses work to lower emissions and achieve carbon neutral...
Oct 20, 2022•31 min•Season 1Ep. 5
