At Net Impact, we partner with forward-thinking companies that want to create meaningful collaborations with our network of diverse, informed leaders to drive transformational change. Our partnership with Shell is a unique example of how we empower our chapter members and partners alike to work together to create a lasting impact.
Shell is once again challenging Net Impact members to shape the future of energy solutions. As a part of their partnership with Net Impact, Shell mentors from a variety of backgrounds and fields led Accelerator Sessions at the 2019 Net Impact Conference as they gear up to engage with future leaders during the 2019-20 Future of Energy Challenge: Mobility.
The 2019-20 Future of Energy Challenge: Mobility encourages participants to design solutions that address how we can enable cleaner and more efficient mobility. Issue topics include alternative fuels, electric mobility, access to energy, retail solutions, and nature-based solutions. During the competition, teams will nurture a solution from an idea to a scalable concept with support and mentoring from Shell leaders who work within each issue topic. Selected teams will win a trip to the final pitch-off competition at SXSW 2020 in Austin, Texas. Deadlines are quickly approaching (11/25), be sure to apply today!
The Wider Picture: Business Igniting Change
For years now, Shell has been a force in the momentum towards a cleaner energy future. In 2016, Shell set up a New Energies business, to focus efforts and explore commercial opportunities in new and fast-growing segments of the energy industry. In 2017, Shell announced its ambition to reduce the Net Carbon Footprint of its own operations and of its customers’ greenhouse gas emissions from using Shell energy products. Shell also continues to encourage government-led carbon pricing mechanisms to further incentivize the industry to improve energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions.
Shell is a big company that supplies around 3% of the energy the world uses, and they want to contribute to the global effort to tackle climate change. For future leaders who are passionate about social or environmental change, private sector companies are worth engaging with - whether that be through opportunities such as the Future of Energy Challenge: Mobility or as future employers - because of their impact potential.
Business Leaders Become Mentors
High-level employees within the Shell organization have taken on the role of mentoring future impact leaders. Shell mentors were present for the 2019 Net Impact Conference where they led lively discussions with passionate and informed attendees on the future of clean energy during Accelerator Sessions. Challenge participants have the unique opportunity to connect with these influential mentors throughout the competition.
As we anxiously await the next phase in the Future of Energy Challenge: Mobility, we thought it would be fun to look back at the 2019 Net Impact Conference Accelerator Sessions and get to know the Shell mentors who made the topic of clean energy come to life in inspiring new ways:
Petersen Barnaby
Petersen Barnaby is the Commercial Advisor for Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) at Shell. In this role, Petersen works with Shell Downstream Businesses to integrate NBS into their customer value propositions and create a compelling set of opportunities for Shell to deepen the partnership with customers, through helping them to reduce their carbon footprint.
Nature-based solutions are projects which protect or redevelop natural ecosystems. Such projects also have extra benefits such as offering alternative sources of income to local communities, improving soil productivity, cleaning air and water, and maintaining biodiversity.
“As a mentor in the Accelerator sessions, I found there was a lot of positive energy around NBS. The attendees got it and they liked that Shell was trying to find ways to help them to do something about their carbon footprint. I am looking forward to continuing to work with the Net Impact accelerator teams and seeing what they can bring to the competition!” - Petersen Barnaby, Commercial Advisor for Nature-Based Solutions (NBS), Shell
Pierre Liagre
Pierre Liagre is a researcher in Shell’s multi-disciplinary Offshore Wind Innovation Program. In this role, Pierre focuses on systems technology for the future installation of wind turbines on floaters moored in water depths ranging from about 60 to 1,000 meters.
The Shell New Energies Research & Technology team (NERT) provides technical assurance for all projects that the New Energies business requires and provides the fundamental research for short, medium, and long-term organic growth in the New Energies domain.
“It was exciting to see so many young people genuinely interested in sustainability. Attendees were glad to learn that Shell is invested in renewable energies and leading the sustainability/ social impact initiative among its peers.” - Pierre Liagre, Researcher Offshore Wind Floating, Shell.
Richard Garcia
Richard Garcia is the Commercial and Strategic Partnerships Head at Shell. Richard is responsible for the Commercial Strategy, Category Management, Customer Insights and Analytics for the market entry of Shell Select Convenience Stores in the USA market.
Shell Retail is the number one mobility retailer in the world serving 30 million customers a day, processing 11 billion transactions per year across a network of approximately 44,000 stations in over 75 countries. Shell retail aims to provide top-quality fuels while investing in a sustainable tomorrow.
“Sustainability has become a key focus in higher education. Serving as a mentor at the Future of Energy Challenge Accelerator session helped me realize how profound the commitment of these learners to become agents of sustainable change is. They came to the sessions prepared with clear ideas to build and sustain meaningful relationships with the communities and ecosystems they live, and true interest to grow in a better planet.” - Richard Garcia, Commercial and Strategic Partnerships Head, Shell
Dakota Stormer
Dakota Stormer is the Carbon Opportunities Analyst and the chairman of Shell’s employee network for the energy transition. Dakota helps the employee network host innovation workshops across the company in search of new ideas to provide more and cleaner energy across the world.
Shell recognizes the significance of climate change, along with the vital role that energy plays in helping people achieve and maintain quality of life.
“I was overwhelmed by all of the innovative young minds that developed impressive project proposals in such a short amount of time. There was a great dedication to lowering carbon footprint through sustainable food sourcing.” - Dakota Stormer, Carbon Opportunities Analyst, Shell.
These mentors represent the diverse paths one can take to an impact-driven career. Are you passionate about making a difference in the world? Jumpstart your career in the energy field by joining the Future of Energy Challenge: Mobility! Submit your solution by November 25 to bring your idea to life while gaining resume-building experience, new skills, and a network of working professionals to carry with you on your impact journey.
Sutton Guldner
Sutton Guldner is a project engineer and manager for the biofuels portfolio, with a focus on waste oils to renewable diesel. He works with a multi-disciplinary team of engineers and businesspeople on early-stage projects, developing them from due diligence, through design, and into execution.
About Shell
Shell is an international energy company with expertise in the exploration, production, refining and marketing of oil and natural gas, and the manufacturing and marketing of chemicals. Find out how we are working to Power Progress Together.
About Net Impact
Net Impact is a global community of students and professionals who aspire to be effective drivers of economic, social and environmental change. Our programs connect our members to the skills, experiences, and people that will allow them to have the greatest impact. Visit www.netimpact.org.
