Where’s My Carbon Coming From? – Zara Summers, Chief Science Officer, LanzaTech
Release Date: 04/08/2025
Building A Culture Of Innovation – Telle Whitney, Author of “Rebooting Tech Culture,” Co-Founder of AnitaB.Org Institute
Electric Ladies Podcast - Women Leaders Discuss Careers, Trends, Technologies and Innovation in Energy, Climate, and Corporate Responsibility
“Talking to people from different disciplines pushes your thinking about your assumptions, going out and listening to what other people are doing helps inform the way that you creatively solve the problem that's in front of you. Leaders often are scared by some of these ideas that are coming out of their workforce and that's why they're shutting them down. But if you can demonstrate yourself to be receptive to ideas, then you can help guide a creative future.” Telle Whitney on Electric Ladies Podcast Massive innovation is crucial to meet the scale of the climate crisis, but achieving...
info_outline
Where’s My Carbon Coming From? – Zara Summers, Chief Science Officer, LanzaTech
Electric Ladies Podcast - Women Leaders Discuss Careers, Trends, Technologies and Innovation in Energy, Climate, and Corporate Responsibility
“We've worked with partners like AcelorMittal… and oil and gas refineries. Emissions that would've been destined for the atmosphere are piped into our bioreactor and our magnificent microbes turn that gas into ethanol. When we pull out that ethanol, we can send it a lot of different places. You can go to On, Adidas, Athleta and buy products made by these mighty microbes from steel mill emissions. We actually flew a Virgin Atlantic flight from Orlando to London with 50 percent of the fuel in that plane made from our ethanol.” Zara Summers on Electric Ladies Podcast Addressing...
info_outline
What Canada’s Energy Policies Can Teach The U.S. – Claire Seaborn, former Chief of Staff to Canada’s Minister of Energy and Natural Resources
Electric Ladies Podcast - Women Leaders Discuss Careers, Trends, Technologies and Innovation in Energy, Climate, and Corporate Responsibility
“One of the big differences between Canada and the United States on climate policy spending broadly is that unlike the United States, Canada has a national carbon pricing system. So, we have a carbon pricing system that sets a national minimum standard…. Without strategy, coordination, investment, we will be putting ourselves at a painful disadvantage in terms of not just the energy transition, but just geopolitically.” Claire Seaborn on Electric Ladies Podcast An independent analysis found that the renewable energy strategies in New York state may help insulate New...
info_outline
A State Program Leading The Clean Energy Transformation – Doreen Harris, President and CEO, NYSERDA
Electric Ladies Podcast - Women Leaders Discuss Careers, Trends, Technologies and Innovation in Energy, Climate, and Corporate Responsibility
"The [sub-national level] is where we can incubate and to effectuate the private sector shifts that we see happening every day. We are looking to move markets in a direction that can improve not only quality of life, but the very metrics that we're solving for. And when you look at this over years or even decades, you can see the pace accelerating and market momentum taking off." Doreen Harris on Electric Ladies Podcast As the fourth largest state in the U.S., New York consumes a staggering amount of electricity annually to power an economy that ranges from finance to manufacturing, so...
info_outline
Turning Waste into Energy (and Wine) – Autumn Huskins, Finance Director, Hitachi Zosen Inova
Electric Ladies Podcast - Women Leaders Discuss Careers, Trends, Technologies and Innovation in Energy, Climate, and Corporate Responsibility
“We’re giving [companies] the avenue to take something that historically has been an inconvenience and turn that into an opportunity to make them some money, whether that be selling energy to the grid, or putting energy back into the operations of their facilities. So, what could have cost them money in the past can now be a huge benefit. At the same time, you're doing something great for the world and our future.” Autumn Huskins on Electric Ladies Podcast Addressing climate change presents two big questions: How do we reduce waste and keep it out of landfills, and how can we power our...
info_outline
Career Advice From 5 Extraordinary Women – Women’s History Month
Electric Ladies Podcast - Women Leaders Discuss Careers, Trends, Technologies and Innovation in Energy, Climate, and Corporate Responsibility
“I think there needs to be more women stepping up and realizing that they proudly should play the game…I hear a lot of women second guessing themselves before they step out on their own. And that is what we have to recognize. We have so much to offer, and half this battle is just us opening our mouths and letting it out.” Majora Carter on Electric Ladies Podcast This Women’s History Month takes place amid significant changes to women everywhere, from political headwinds threatening progress, to rollbacks in corporate support. Women leadership has shown to be valuable in driving...
info_outline
Beyond Partisanship in Climate Action – Chelsea Henderson, Director of Editorial Content at RepublicEn.org; Author of “Glacial: The Inside Story of Climate Politics”
Electric Ladies Podcast - Women Leaders Discuss Careers, Trends, Technologies and Innovation in Energy, Climate, and Corporate Responsibility
“We're ceding ground to China, which has become everyone's favorite punching bag. Whether Democrat or Republican, both sides are beating up on China. Meanwhile, China is saying, ‘Okay, we'll make all your solar panels, electric and autonomous vehicles,’ because they see the financial opportunities. It's past time for the U.S. and our politicians to step out of their corners and come together – this is the greatest crisis we will ever face.” Chelsea Henderson on Electric Ladies Podcast Political polarization may have stifled discussions on the climate, but Mother Nature doesn’t...
info_outline
Why Geothermal Energy is the Next Big Thing - Dr. Marit Brommer, International Geothermal Association
Electric Ladies Podcast - Women Leaders Discuss Careers, Trends, Technologies and Innovation in Energy, Climate, and Corporate Responsibility
“When we think about sustainable living, it's not just about electricity. Energy encompasses more than electricity. As we advocate for sustainability and net zero, let's not forget the heating and cooling of our homes, businesses, and industries - geothermal is a direct resource for that.” Dr. Marit Brommer on Electric Ladies Podcast Drilling for geothermal energy - the heat beneath our feet - promises to be one of the most sustainable sources of energy and a game changer for the clean energy transition. One of the biggest opportunities lies right here in the U.S., where we have the...
info_outline
How to Rebuild Cities After Disaster – Majora Carter, Urban Revitalization Strategist & Author, Reclaiming Your Community
Electric Ladies Podcast - Women Leaders Discuss Careers, Trends, Technologies and Innovation in Energy, Climate, and Corporate Responsibility
“Thinking about an opportunity to rebuild... So now what are we going to do? And, how do you rebuild in a way that actually does involve equity and equality and sustainability in ways that impact people of all different kinds. And that's, I think, the opportunity that we should be looking toward." Majora Carter on Electric Ladies Podcast After devastating wildfires reduced entire neighborhoods in Los Angeles to ashes, the city faces the challenge of rebuilding - not just its infrastructure, but its communities. This is an opportunity to integrate climate resilience, especially for...
info_outline
3 Reasons Why Clean Energy is Here to Stay – Jennifer Granholm, 16th U.S. Secretary of Energy
Electric Ladies Podcast - Women Leaders Discuss Careers, Trends, Technologies and Innovation in Energy, Climate, and Corporate Responsibility
“Deploy, deploy, deploy. More than half a trillion dollars has been invested in the United States since the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act and the bi-partisan Infrastructure Bill. These laws have made investing in America irresistible. They have made the energy transition inevitable - and inexorable.” Speech by Jennifer Granholm Federal-level developments have delivered a series of blows, leaving many of us questioning the future of clean energy, sustainability and climate action. If you’re feeling that uncertainty, this week’s episode is for you. Listen to this...
info_outline“We've worked with partners like AcelorMittal… and oil and gas refineries. Emissions that would've been destined for the atmosphere are piped into our bioreactor and our magnificent microbes turn that gas into ethanol. When we pull out that ethanol, we can send it a lot of different places. You can go to On, Adidas, Athleta and buy products made by these mighty microbes from steel mill emissions. We actually flew a Virgin Atlantic flight from Orlando to London with 50 percent of the fuel in that plane made from our ethanol.”
Zara Summers on Electric Ladies Podcast
Addressing the climate crisis involves confronting some enormous challenges, from decarbonizing aviation to reducing fashion’s carbon footprint. Fortunately, technology and innovation provide an opportunity to make significant strides forward. Meet LanzaTech, a company turning carbon dioxide into the raw materials and energy we need for our lives.
Listen to Zara Summers, Chief Science Officer at LanzaTech, as she explains how the company is harnessing the power of nature's oldest metabolism, the mighty microbe. This innovation is turning greenhouse gases into everyday materials like shoes and clothing, sustainable aviation fuel for our jets, and even fish feed!
You’ll hear about:
- How LanzaTech transforms captured industrial emissions into valuable materials and fuels.
- The global brands working with LanzaTech (and how you can spot fabrics made from recycled emissions).
- How the technology is driving a circular economy in fashion and textiles.
- The uses of LanzaTech's protein-rich biomass in food and feed.
- Plus, advice on making a career transition.
“Just jump in. Because even if it crashes and burns, it's experience and you learn no matter up and down inside it. But if you keep doing the same thing you've always done, you're robbing yourself of those opportunities. Even small risks – putting your hand up for a project where you might know 20 percent of what it takes to do it. Gosh, isn't that the best way to motivate yourself to learn something new?”
Zara Summers on Electric Ladies Podcast
Read Joan’s Forbes articles here.
You'll also like:
- Autumn Hustins, Finance Director at Hitachi Zosen Inova (HZI), a waste-to-energy plant converting agricultural and food waste into electricity.
- Björk Kristjánsdóttir, COO/CFO of Carbon Recycling International, on turning CO2 into valuable products.
- Doreen Harris, President and CEO of NYSERDA, a state program deploying innovative climate solutions.
- UN Climate Week discussion on how some creative women are making sustainable fashion a reality, moderated by Joan Michelson.
- Kerry Bannigan, Managing Director of PVBLIC Foundation, on sustainability and social responsibility on the runway.
More from Electric Ladies Podcast!
Join us at The Earth Day Women’s Summit on April 22, 2025, in Dallas, Texas! Register today with the code “EDWS” for the Women’s Summit and a special rate.
Elevate your career with expert coaching and ESG advisory with Electric Ladies Podcast. Unlock new opportunities, gain confidence, and achieve your career goals with the right guidance.
Subscribe to our newsletter to receive our podcasts, articles, events and career advice – and special coaching offers.
Thanks for subscribing on Apple Podcasts or iHeartRadio and leaving us a review!
Don’t forget to follow us on our socials
Twitter: @joanmichelson
LinkedIn: Electric Ladies Podcast with Joan Michelson
Twitter: @joanmichelson
Facebook: Green Connections Radio