The Power of Facing Fear and Helene Cornell Show Notes
What I am always looking for are the people who seem to approach their climate role with more intention and joy. That is what is Name & Fame-able. And, that is what I amplify on my podcast and through my social posts.
While you can listen to interview upon interview of founders talking about the challenges of “facing their fears” and networking in all aspects of business, the conversation doesn’t often get into just HOW they did that or how that experience felt.
The suggestion of vulnerability exists, but is not explored.
Yet, I think this is key for how we bridge the gap between these unstable/truly weird times, and what comes next (our emerging better future!).
If more students and emerging leaders hear the stories of someone they can relate to who came before them, they will feel seen and their momentum will stay strong.
So, sharing your own story with as much real talk and transparency as you can is a gift. It is also what I call climate influence.
That’s why I wanted to get Helene Cornell on the show. She is a joyful, giving leader, and a full-on clean tech and sustainable business cheerleader. If you ever get the chance to see her on a stage (which could be at a climate event or in a comedy club), do it!
Here are extended show notes for the incredible conversation I had with Helene. As ever, I'd love a follow or share, and a rating/review on Apple podcasts if you are inspired. It really helps guide new listeners our way. (Thank you!)
Dropping the Armor: Helene Cornell on Accessible Leadership In CleanTech
Helene Cornell didn't come up through academia, nepotism, or a Google scholarship. She simply made her way into climate tech rooms by being the most accessible person there.
Andrea and Helene talk about how she uses humor (she studied improv!) to make the usually heavy climate conversations lighter, how she learned to connect with speaking audience members, and why she calls herself a nerd whisperer (hint: it’s about being able to translate complex hardware to software-focused investors).
Along the way, Helene praises the many accelerators and incubators that changed her life, including the Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator (LACI) and Women in Clean Tech and Sustainability. Programs like these gave her mentors for everything from data rooms to pitch decks to VC connections - and that network of purpose-driven people is what made the difference.
Humor and Accessibility as Strategy
Andrea and Helene talk about how she uses humor to make the usually heavy climate conversations lighter. When she speaks, Helene focuses on the one person in the audience who needs to see it is possible to come from anywhere and find success.
Translating Hardware for a Software-Focused World
Helene calls herself a nerd whisperer — translating complex hardware to software-focused investors. That's the gap she fills.
Networks Built Through Shared Purpose
Helene credits accelerators and incubators with changing her life, because they gave her mentors for everything from data rooms to pitch decks to VC connections. More importantly, they have given her a community of like-minded, deeply purpose-driven peers.
Name & Fame It Forward
Helene shouts out Laurie McGinley of Via Lucent who helped her extract imposter syndrome in minutes and learn not to wait for a seat at the table, but just make her own. Find her on LinkedIn.
Links
https://www.linkedin.com/in/helene-cornell/
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Andrea Learned 🚲 Ⓥ 🎙️
Name & Fame is created, produced, and hosted by Andrea Learned. This episode was edited by Kristie Taiwo-Makanjuola. Show art by Nancy Bolan. Music by Adam Captured.
