Episode 8: Kimberlee Centera

We designed Scaling Clean to bring you wisdom from clean technology leaders, and this episode won’t disappoint. 

Host Mike Casey speak to Kimberlee Centera, President and CEO of TerraPro Solutions. Kimberlee is a trailblazer in the renewable energy sector who has helped build over 10,000 renewable energy projects in the U.S. alone. She can accurately be described as an “OC,” an “original clean-techer,” and has been involved in land-use questions her entire professional life. 

If you look up “breadth of development” experience on Wikipedia, Kimberlee’s photo ought to be the visual. That’s why we were thrilled to have Kimberlee on Scaling Clean. 

Here are the highlights for our conversation with this long-time cleantech leader:

5:35 – It’s tough to address weaknesses while developing your leadership skills, but it can be an opportunity to build

your strengths.

8:00 – Ask your boss how they see your growth. Don’t assume they are paying attention.

9:20 – The work world has changed – but not enough – for women since Centera started her

career.

16:00 – Clean economy’s volatility and risk make it different than working in more mature sectors.

18:40 – How corporate values makes hiring easier, and why you can’t coach character.

24:16 – Key advice for the new CEO: There’s power in humility and listening. Talk last in the

meeting.

29:15 – Innovations + new talent coming into cleantech inspire Centera to be an optimist about the future of the clean economy.

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