The Challenges and Opportunities of US Hydrogen with Roxana Bekemohammadi, Founder & Executive Director at United States Hydrogen Alliance | Season Seven, Episode Ten
Welcome to Season Seven of Conversations in Cleantech! From inspiring stories and words of wisdom, to financial foresight and investment insights: in this season, you can expect to learn all about the people and companies who are propelling us towards a greener tomorrow, with a spotlight on investing in a cleaner planet. In this episode our host Carmen Davis chats with Roxana Bekemohammadi about navigating the exciting yet challenging world of clean technology, specifically focusing on the hydrogen industry. For over 14 years, Roxana's journey has taken her from the technical trenches of fuel cell engineering to the forefront of hydrogen policy. Driven by a deep-seated desire to be an environmental steward, she has become a leading voice in this critical field. This episode offers a candid exploration of both the excitement and challenges inherent to clean technology. Roxana shares her insights, balancing passionate advocacy for hydrogen's potential with a clear-eyed view of deployment hurdles. Together, they delve into the complexities of market development and the ongoing evolution of the US hydrogen landscape. Beyond the technical advancements, the conversation also tackles critical issues like workforce development and the hydrogen industry's role in driving economic growth. 00:40 - Introduction to Roxana 01:23 - Could you please tell us a little bit more about your career journey? 05:00 - Tell us a little bit more about what being an environmental steward means to you? 07:28 - How do you navigate that balance between advocating for hydrogen technology, while still cautioning about the challenges within the deployment? 12:00 - Can you tell us a little bit more about your role? 17:17 - How have role models, particularly female leaders, influenced your career journey? 21:00 - Can you share your thoughts on the current hydrogen market landscape, especially considering the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and ongoing political factors? 28:41 - Can you elaborate on your advocacy work with Manacor Partners? 29:41 - Beyond the technical advancements, where do you see the hydrogen industry fueling job creation, economic growth, and workforce development? 39:26 - For aspiring individuals considering or already in the hydrogen industry, especially those concerned about current challenges, what advice can you offer to navigate their careers? Connect with your host, Carmen Davis on LinkedIn. Find your guest Roxana Bekemohammad on LinkedIn. Thanks for listening to Conversations in Cleantech brought to you by Brightsmith. This is a Loaded Hype production.