Meet Our Advisory Board – Featuring Joanna Hamblin

What motivated you to enter the clean energy industry? 

“My grandpa was a botanist at the University of Warsaw, and I fondly recall gathering wild mushrooms with my grandma as a small child in primeval forests of Poland. This had a profound impact on me. In my work and personal pursuits, I am motivated to protect public health and the environment from the harmful, often externalized costs of fossil fuels and have a deep desire to work in an industry that seeks solutions to transition and decarbonize at scale.”

What’s a lesson you’ve learned that still guides you today?

“Asking the fundamental question: what problem are we solving and for whom? This is the basis of product market fit and it helps companies deliver products and solutions that delight—and scale! Having worked at many startups in the clean energy space, this is the most important lesson I have learned.”

Who inspires your work? 

“I’m continually inspired by my business partner, Celeste Hawkins of Iron Core Marketing. Her approach to developing successful and repeatable marketing strategies that back into revenue goals helps companies focus. This is especially important when budgets are tight and headwinds strong.”

If you weren’t working in clean energy, what would you be doing instead?

“Clean energy is a big bucket, and as a marketing consultant, the nature of my work is always changing so I always feel challenged and I’m always learning. If I wasn’t in the private sector, I would probably work in nature conservation.”

What’s the latest book, podcast, or show you loved and would recommend? 

“One of my favorite podcasts is Watt It Takes with host Emily Kirsch Founder and Managing Partner at Powerhouse Ventures & Founder and CEO at Powerhouse. Watt it Takes is different from all other climate tech podcasts. It’s authentic. It’s vulnerable. It puts the human perspective on startup life. Emily is a superb host with a high EQ and she creates a safe space for sharing that enables growth.”