358 | Water Innovation Rising Out of the Desert with Ben Shultz
Release Date: 02/11/2025
383 | New Mexico is Building America’s Sovereign Wealth Fund with Jon Clark
Awarepreneurs
Clark is an Albuquerque native and the state investment officer for the New Mexico State Investment Council, which manages a $67 billion portfolio—one of the nation’s three largest sovereign wealth funds and on track to become the largest within 5–7 years. The SIC’s returns are projected to surpass oil and gas as the biggest contributor to the state’s general fund by 2043 and already provide over a quarter of K–12 funding and more than three-quarters of early childhood funding. Jon is committed to strengthening New Mexico’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, and the SIC has invested...
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382 | Inside New Mexico's First Climate Hackathon with Paul Zelizer
Awarepreneurs
Paul Zelizer is the host of Awarepreneurs, the world’s longest running social entrepreneur podcast, the co-founder of NM Tech Talks, the co-founder of NMClimate and a business coach/consultant for social entrepreneurs and cleantech startups for the past 18 years. This episode is sponsored by the coaching company of the host, Paul Zelizer. Consider a if you can use support growing your impact business. Resources mentioned in this episode include:
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381 | Return to the Origin: Using Earth For the Future with Daniel Parra
Awarepreneurs
What if the path to climate resilience was not found in glass and steel — but in earth, craft, and community? This is just one of the provocative questions we explored with Daniel Parra on the latest Awarepreneurs podcast episode, hosted by our very own Paul Zelizer. Bio: Daniel Parra is a Colombian architect and was born in Soccorro, Santander - a small town with a rich history. He is the leader of the Rammed Earth Collective, an international design–build collaborative advancing earthen architecture. His practice blends traditional tapia pisada with contemporary design to create...
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380 | A Community Building Organization Disguised As a Soccer Team with Ron Patel
Awarepreneurs
Is it possible that the heart of social entrepreneurship beats just as strongly in a stadium as in a startup? This is just one of the provocative questions we explored with Ron Patel on the latest Awarepreneurs podcast episode, hosted by our very own Paul Zelizer. Bio: Ron Patel is President of New Mexico United, the USL professional soccer club in Albuquerque. He co-founded the club in 2018 with Majority Owner/CEO Peter Trevisani and, as VP of Sales, helped drive league-leading attendance and merchandise while shaping a strong community brand. After leading a sports & entertainment group...
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379 | You’re in Business to Win with Dr. John E. Harmon
Awarepreneurs
Bio: John E. Harmon, Sr. is the Founder, President, and CEO of the African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey (AACCNJ), the state’s leading organization advocating for Black-owned businesses and economic empowerment. A former chairman of the National Black Chamber of Commerce and a current board member of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Harmon has spent more than 27 years building bridges between government, corporate leaders, and entrepreneurs to advance equity and opportunity. He is the host of the award-winning Pathway to Success TV show and The Empowerment Hour radio program, and...
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378 | The Growth Benefits of Second Chances Hiring with Scott Gates
Awarepreneurs
BIO: Scott Gates is the Co-Founder and CEO of Awake Window & Door Co., a luxury window and door manufacturer specializing in building windows and door at massive sizes, with minimal frames, to maximize views in luxury custom homes. But even more important, the business focuses on its mission to reduce recidivism by providing meaningful second chance employment to those formerly incarcerated. This episode is sponsored by the coaching company of the host, Paul Zelizer. Consider a if you can use support growing your impact business. Resources mentioned in this episode include: ...
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377 | Tech for Good: Using Software & Data to Solve Society’s Biggest Problems with Jim Fruchterman
Awarepreneurs
Bio: Jim Fruchterman is a leading social entrepreneur, author, MacArthur Fellow, recipient of the Skoll Award for Social Entrepreneurship, and Distinguished Alumnus of Caltech. After starting two successful for-profit AI companies, he went on to found Benetech, the award-winning tech nonprofit, building tools for people with disabilities and human rights defenders document and analyze abuses. His current nonprofit projects at Tech Matters include Aselo, a shared modern contact center for the crisis response field; Terraso, software for the people on the front line of the climate...
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376 | To Sell Sustainability, Don't Talk About Sustainability with Josh Dorfman
Awarepreneurs
Bio: Josh Dorfman is a climate entrepreneur, author, and media personality. He is the CEO and host of Supercool, a media company covering real-world climate solutions that cut carbon, increase profits, and enhance modern life. Josh was previously the co-founder and CEO of Plantd, a carbon-negative building materials manufacturer, which was named to Fast Company’s list of the World’s Most Innovative Companies in 2024. He has founded two modern design sustainable furniture companies, directed Vine.com, an Amazon e-commerce business specializing in natural and organic products, and served...
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375 | Scarcity, Abundance & New Mexico’s Permanent Fund with Lawrence Chavez
Awarepreneurs
Lawrence Chavez is a passionate innovator focused on meaningful innovation. Lawrence has been on both sides of the table and understands the demands of the investor and the needs of the founder. Most recently as CEO & Founder of EveryDay Contacts. Previously, Lawrence co-founded Lotus Leaf Coatings, an advanced materials company in 2011. Prior to 2011 he served as a Venture Partner with Flywheel Ventures and managed the NM Gap Fund I, a seed investment fund, as well as serving as Interim CFO at Astria Semiconductor. Lawrence also served on the boards of ABQid Fund I and Arrowhead...
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374 | The Startup Advantage in a Downturn with Paul Zelizer
Awarepreneurs
Paul Zelizer is the host of Awarepreneurs, the world’s longest running social entrepreneur podcast, the co-founder of NM Tech Talks and a business coach/consultant for social entrepreneurs and cleantech startups for the past 18 years. This episode is sponsored by the coaching company of the host, Paul Zelizer. Consider a if you can use support growing your impact business. Resources mentioned in this episode include:
info_outlineBen Shultz is a dedicated product/marketing manager at Aqua Membranes, where he combines his background in environmental planning and design with strong relationship-building and event-planning skills to drive innovative water treatment and provide clear messaging to customers and investors alike. Having started as a production technician, Ben quickly demonstrated his ability to adapt and excel, gaining hands-on experience in membrane technology and design that led him to his current role. Today, he collaborates closely with engineers, researchers, and customers to understand their needs and deliver products that meet high standards and expectations. Driven by a commitment to providing clean/sustainable water for all, Ben actively supports Aqua Membranes' mission to be a leader in the industry.
This episode is sponsored by the coaching company of the host, Paul Zelizer. Consider a Strategy Session if you can use support growing your impact business.
Resources mentioned in this episode include: