Optimistic Outlook (Siemens USA)

Transportation is often described as the backbone of America’s economy. Looking towards the future, former U.S. Transportation Secretary and Lyft Chief Policy Officer Anthony Foxx shares his views on how transportation can also be the backbone for social equity, fighting climate change and addressing growth in our cities. 

Show notes:

• Beyond Traffic report

Successfully addressing the climate crisis requires significant progress by 2030. Will we get there? Christiana Figueres, a former UN climate leader who led the process securing the Paris Climate Agreement, offers expert perspective, defining the current state of the problem and how we can grow our ability to rapidly put solutions into action. Prepare to be uplifted about what’s possible and to learn about critical climate priorities slated for the UN climate conference COP28.

Christiana is a Founding Partner of Global Optimism, co-presenter of climate podcast Outrage + Optimism, and co-author of "The Future We Choose: The Stubborn Optimist's Guide to the Climate Crisis."

Show notes:

Christiana's TED talk: https://www.ted.com/talks/christiana_figueres_the_inside_story_of_the_paris_climate_agreement?language=en

Outrage + Optimism: https://www.outrageandoptimism.org/

Accelerating carbon reduction: https://www.siemens.com/us/en/company/sustainability.html

This unprecedented healthcare, economic and societal crisis won’t be the last; the future promises an exponential increase in unpredictable threats. Peter Willis, who led the recent Resilient Leadership Project, joins Barbara to discuss how society should respond, by leaning in, and the power of intentional listening.  

Show Notes: 

Resilient Leadership: https://www.resilienceshift.org/resilient-leadership/ 

Corey Scales, a Focus Factory Manager for Siemens Smart Infrastructure in Grand Prairie, Texas, joins the show to share his career experience in manufacturing. After an episode exploring near-record industry job openings nationwide, listeners will hear about the growth mindset fueling Corey’s success alongside practical guidance on how to start a manufacturing career. 

Show Notes: 

Blog post by Corey: https://new.siemens.com/us/en/company/press/siemens-stories/usa/moving-up-adding-value.html 

Kappa Kamp: https://kappakamp.wixsite.com/kappakamp 

Napoleon Hill’s “Think and Grow Rich”: https://www.amazon.com/Think-Grow-Rich-Landmark-Bestseller/dp/1585424331 

Where the Jobs Are at Siemens USA: https://new.siemens.com/us/en/company/press/press-releases/usa/siemens-where-the-jobs-are.html 

One of the biggest trends impacting infrastructure actually started in the consumer world: a Fourth Industrial Revolution. Elise Neel, Vice President of New Business Incubation at Verizon, joins Barbara to share its potential and the impact of 5G to infrastructure and industry.

Is this a generational opportunity? For the last episode of the series, Barbara talks to John Macomber, a Harvard Business School lecturer and co-author of “Healthy Buildings: How Indoor Spaces Drive Performance and Productivity,” to explore how addressing the immediate need to reopen schools nationwide could actually benefit students, teachers and administrators for many years to come. You’ll learn how the pandemic has raised awareness about indoor air quality, and what this means not only for reopening schools but to the future of U.S. infrastructure.

Show Notes: 

Reopening Education: https://new.siemens.com/us/en/products/buildingtechnologies/markets/education.html 

Strategies: https://new.siemens.com/us/en/products/campaigns/building-technologies/markets/education/re-open-education-white-paper-form.html 

John on HBR Ideacast: https://hbr.org/podcast/2020/10/how-to-build-workplaces-that-protect-employee-health 

Barbara continues the conversation about supply chains with Richard Barnett, Chief Marketing Officer, Supplyframe. In this episode, Barbara and Richard reflect on supply chains past and present, then outline a new path forward supported by digital transformation. 

Show notes: 

Siemens acquires Supplyframe: https://supplyframe.com/press-releases/siemens-accelerates-digital-marketplace-strategy-with-acquisition-of-supplyframe/ 

Digital solutions for electronics and semiconductors: https://www.plm.automation.siemens.com/global/en/industries/electronics-semiconductors/  

Barbara on “Glocal”: https://milkeninstitute.org/article/future-manufacturing-going-glocal  

Barbara’s blog post supporting CHIPS Act: https://new.siemens.com/us/en/company/press/siemens-stories/ceo-perspective/siemens-usa-ceo-supporting-bold-action-on-infrastructure-.html  

Statement after White House roundtable: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/siemens-usa-ceo-white-house-semiconductor-roundtable-barbara-humpton/ 

Are you curious about where the biggest tech innovations are happening in the clean energy transition? Are you aware that 2024 was a huge turning point for increased private sector investment? In this episode, Bill Gates and Barbara reveal all of this and much, much more. You'll discover which technologies are already scaling, where the biggest tech investors are focusing their resources in the coming years, and which innovations are solving the tricky problem of being profitable AND tackling climate change.  You'll learn why 80% of breakthrough climate technologies are happening in the USA (it's not what you think), and how this key driver is creating career paths and business opportunities you can't afford to miss out on.  Whether you're exploring new career opportunities, involved in energy policy or leadership, or just excited to hear about this bold new phase of the energy transition - this conversation between two innovators with a front-row seat to the future of climate tech is for you.   

Show Notes:   State of the Transition Report - https://www.breakthroughenergy.org/newsroom/articles/bill-gates-state-of-transition/ 

Barbara's Newsletter: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/us-innovation-igniting-clean-industrial-revolution-immense-humpton-alnae/ 

Chad Frischmann is the co-author of the New York Times best-seller “Drawdown: The Most Comprehensive Plan Ever Proposed to Reverse Global Warming.” He also pioneered Project Drawdown and is now the founder of a new organization called Regenerative Intelligence. Barbara and Chad explore how to achieve a moment in time when the concentration of atmospheric greenhouse gases begins to decline annually and what a regenerative future looks like. Learn about the impact of tech solutions that can be immediately deployed, and the potential for further innovation. 

Show Notes: 

Regenerative Intelligence: https://regenintel.earth/ 

Project Drawdown: https://drawdown.org/ 

TED Talk (100 solutions to reverse global warming): https://www.ted.com/talks/chad_frischmann_100_solutions_to_reverse_global_warming?language=en 

Siemens and Environmental Action: https://new.siemens.com/us/en/company/environmental-society-governance/environmental-action.html 

Barbara looks at infrastructure’s legacy of exacerbating inequality and explores a more sustainable, equitable, resilient approach as the bipartisan infrastructure law is rolled out. Her guest, Stephanie Gidigbi Jenkins, is an expert in and champion for public policies promoting economic, social and environmental benefits for communities. Stephanie is the founder and co-partner of Northstar Strategies, with previous experiences at the U.S. Department of Transportation, in state and local government, and in the U.S. House of Representatives.   

Show notes:

Stephanie’s Politico op-ed: https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2020/06/26/the-racial-history-of-planes-trains-and-automobiles-340285

Building for a changing tomorrow: https://new.siemens.com/us/en/company/building-for-a-changing-tomorrow.html

Siemens ESG Strategy: https://new.siemens.com/us/en/company/environmental-society-governance.html

Older generations have often misunderstood younger generations. And yet, as the U.S. workforce ages, the value of multigenerational teams will continue to grow. In this episode, Barbara talks with university recruiter Sophie Nicholas and intern Adrian Vasquez. You will learn about the workplace culture that Gen Z is shaping and what they hope to learn as the youngest of the five generations now in the workforce.  

Show notes:

Jobs at Siemens: https://www.siemens.com/us/en/company/jobs.html

In the race to meet sustainability objectives, corporate commitments are skyrocketing. The Net Zero Tracker reports a 40% increase in corporate net-zero targets since June 2022, now encompassing half of the world’s largest companies. This surge extends to broader sustainability goals, including biodiversity, nature, and equity. Yet, the pace must quicken, and the scale of action must expand. Join Barbara and her guest, Sabine Hoefnagel, Global Head of Sustainability & Risk at ERM, for an enlightening conversation. They’ll explore the trends fueling these corporate pledges and unpack the compelling business incentives driving private-sector investments in sustainability. Discover the tools that can help businesses fast-track their sustainability milestones.

Show notes:

ERM: https://www.erm.com/

Accelerate net-zero: https://www.siemens.com/us/en/company/sustainability.html?gclid=Cj0KCQjw5ea1BhC6ARIsAEOG5pxuGTkHSkmc8DPlU36ZrCAOEJrLfpG5UOTtXyMG1PVyeo9IZSm4QJYaAuGzEALw_wcB&acz=1&gad_source=1

Barbara recaps the unveiling of a new, sustainable EV charging concept Siemens developed in partnership with Nexii, a green construction technology company. Learn about the technology with commentary from Nexii CEO Steve Sidwell and the people who pioneered this innovative design that’s scalable nationwide.

Show notes:

Info on prototype: https://new.siemens.com/us/en/company/press/press-releases/smart-infrastructure/siemens-and-nexii-unveil-sustainable-electric-vehicle-charging-prototype.html 

Supporting bipartisan infrastructure law (see section “enabling a new era for electric vehicles” for video from this event): https://new.siemens.com/us/en/company/building-for-a-changing-tomorrow.html 

AI copilots have changed a range of professions, from healthcare to finance, by automating tasks and enhancing productivity. But can copilots also create value for people performing more mechanical, hands-on tasks or figuring out how to bring factories online? In this episode, Barbara welcomes Olympia Brikis, Director of AI Research at Siemens, to show how generative AI is shaping new industrial tech jobs at the convergence of the real and digital worlds. Olympia sheds light on the unique career opportunities in AI and what it takes to thrive in this dynamic, emerging field. Whether you're a tech enthusiast or someone curious about tech careers, this episode offers a unique perspective on how AI is reshaping the landscape of mechanical and industrial professions. Tune in to learn about the exciting innovations and the future of AI in industry! 

Show notes

In this episode, Barbara asks Olympia to share some resources that can help all of us get smarter on industrial AI. Here are Olympia's recommendations:

For everyone just getting started with (Generative) AI:

Elements of AI – great for learning how AI work and what it is

https://www.elementsofai.com/

Generative AI for Everyone:

https://www.coursera.org/learn/generative-ai-for-everyone

Co-Intelligence: Living and Working with AI, by Ethan Mollick 

For those want to dive deeper into the technical aspects of Deep Neural Networks and Generative AI:

Deep Learning Specialization:

https://www.coursera.org/specializations/deep-learning

Stanford University Lecture CS336: Language Modeling from Scratch

https://stanford-cs336.github.io/spring2024/

When Susan Nickey started her career in banking, few people saw a future in financing renewables. It wasn’t even a sector yet! Today, as EVP & Chief Client Officer for climate positive investment firm HASI and the Board Chair of the American Clean Power Association, Susan is working to advance clean energy from a stronger position: with renewables now mainstream, low cost, and competitive. Barbara opens this conversation by delving into Susan's career as they explore clean power's past and future. Key questions answered include: What needs to be done to get the clean energy transition moving faster? And what’s the role of renewables as electricity demand surges to support a data center boom driven by generative AI? This episode will get you up to speed on the last energy trends impacting the energy transition and energy security. Get ready to learn why innovation with financing is as important as technology development and R&D. You’ll also learn how permitting reform and workforce development can further catalyze the massive private sector investment in clean energy spurred by the Inflation Reduction Act. 

As U.S. manufacturers help the country respond to COVID-19, Jay Timmons, President and CEO, National Association of Manufacturers, joins the show to share lessons learned and why the digital transformation of U.S. factories matters to national resilience.

Imagine self-healing concrete or traffic lights with “eyes” that save lives in crosswalks. Technology startup leaders join Barbara to discuss breakthrough innovations that could be accelerated by the launch of a new White House initiative: Advanced Research Projects Agency – Infrastructure (ARPA-I). Listen for inspiring, detailed insights from Ginger Krieg Dosier, Founder and Board Member, Biomason, and Angus Pacala, CEO, Ouster, as they discuss the power of applying emerging technologies and fresh R&D investment to transportation infrastructure.

Show notes:

White House fact sheet: https://www.whitehouse.gov/ostp/news-updates/2023/06/13/fact-sheet-biden-harris-administration-announces-new-actions-hosts-inaugural-arpa-i-summit-to-highlight-the-next-generation-of-transportation-infrastructure-innovation-for-americans/

Ouster: https://ouster.com/

Biomason: https://biomason.com/

As AI data centers multiply electricity needs and grid transmission challenges linger, how will the United States produce enough affordable, reliable, and clean power? Can we continue to grow the economy without forsaking critical climate objectives? In this episode, Barbara spotlights a key solution: the opportunity to innovate at the "grid edge," where technologies can be applied to rapidly scale renewables. Barbara not only makes the case for how to transform the power grid; she presents an example in Chicago's South Side neighborhood Bronzeville, which recently switched on a powerful grid edge project in the form of America's first neighborhood-scale microgrid. Get ready to hear expert commentary on how microgrids supercharge utility services. This opens up new possibilities to accelerate the energy transition while also making grids more resilient to shocks and disruption in the face of more severe weather.  

Show Notes:  

News coverage of microgrid launch: https://chicago.suntimes.com/real-estate/2024/05/24/comed-bronzeville-microgrid-electric-power-energy-housing-authority 

ComEd press release: https://www.comed.com/news/news-releases/2024-05-24 

Accelerate Carbon Reduction: https://www.siemens.com/us/en/company/sustainability.html?gclid=CjwKCAjwp4m0BhBAEiwAsdc4aDgrEeye3t9H7I8CDD-Al8KysZS8NrUdjc5uY9SVTePmEkG4exRpqRoCwhIQAvD_BwE&acz=1&gad_source=1 

In this idea-packed episode of the Optimistic Outlook, Siemens CEO Roland Busch sits down with Barbara to explore the concept of "glocalization" and its pivotal role in shaping a sustainable and productive future. What are the trends compelling international companies to increase their manufacturing presence in the United States? This is a fascinating inside look at how Siemens is leveraging global strategies with local insights to revolutionize industry and infrastructure.  This episode originally aired on May 16, 2023.

Show Notes:

• Roland on Glocalization
• Siemens Xcelerator and the Industrial Metaverse
• Roland’s Annual Shareholders Meeting Speech
• Rail Manufacturing Announcement

Barbara is joined by Dr. Connie Hadley, an organizational psychologist and founder of the Institute for Life at Work, for a fascinating look at a subject that offers insight into some of the ideas that make Siemens such a successful company - trust and psychological safety.   Barbara and Connie discuss how these ideas - when practiced authentically - can enhance resilience, well-being, and willingness to take healthy risks. This episode has actionable insights on transforming work cultures to boost innovation and achieve impactful outcomes. This episode originally aired on December 20, 2022.

Show Notes:

• Psychological Safety 101

In this special episode recorded live at CES 2025 in Las Vegas, Barbara sits down with Siemens CTO Peter Koerte to explore groundbreaking technologies shaping a new industrial tech sector. Tune in to hear inspiring stories of innovation, from creating sustainable textiles to revolutionizing air travel with carbon-neutral aircraft. In this episode, they discuss the tangible ROI of industrial AI, the transformative potential of digital twins, and the growing impact of software-defined automation. Discover how Siemens is leading the charge in driving the business case for sustainability through cutting-edge technology and startup collaborations. The conversation underscores the potential of industrial AI to solve pressing issues, from skilled labor shortages to improving operational efficiency and sustainability. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the future of technology and how technology can positively impact the world and business.  

Show Notes: 

Industrial Tech Sector and CES announcements: https://www.siemens.com/us/en/company/press/siemens-stories/digital-industries/transformation-industrial-technology-is-now.html 

For the last episode of 2022, Barbara is joined by Dr. Connie Hadley, an organizational psychologist and founder of the Institute for Life at Work, to discuss how to build stronger, more innovative teams. Building on the show’s core theme of optimism and last year’s episode on growth mindset, this conversation unpacks how work cultures rooted in trust and psychological safety foster individual resilience and wellbeing. The outcome? Work environments more conducive to healthy risk taking that lead to growth and more impactful results.

Show notes:

Psychological Safety 101: https://www.institutelifework.org/topic-briefings/psychologicalsafety   

With previous episodes focusing on the power of new federal investment combined with emerging technologies, this one explores the big, overarching trend that promises to truly change everything: a platform revolution. Following the release day of Siemens’ new open digital business platform, Siemens Xcelerator, Marshall Van Alstyne, co-author of international bestseller “Platform Revolution,” offers his view on why platform models giving rise to the likes of Uber, Airbnb and Amazon are now ready to transform industry and infrastructure. Barbara is also joined by Peter Koerte, Chief Technology and Strategy Officer at Siemens, who highlights how the platform model’s focus on ecosystems and creating network effects will accelerate decarbonization as it remakes factories, energy grids, buildings, and transportations system. 

 Show notes: 

Siemens Xcelerator Press Release: https://press.siemens.com/global/en/pressrelease/siemens-launches-siemens-xcelerator-open-digital-business-platform-accelerate-digital 

Platform Revolution: https://www.amazon.com/Platform-Revolution-Networked-Markets-Transforming/dp/0393249131 

Peter’s article: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/digitalization-decarbonization-two-megatrends-each-other-peter-koerte/?trackingId=Sg8Tf%2BSWT0%2B%2BRNFwc0fwMg%3D%3D&linkId=300000002456347 

Barbara shares her essay about her experience getting sick as COVID-19 shutdowns began and the big lesson she took away from it.

Show Notes:

LinkedIn Article: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/i-fell-ill-covid-19-shutdowns-began-heres-what-taught-barbara-humpton/?published=t

Clarence Anthony, CEO and Executive Director, National League of Cities, joins the podcast to provide a local perspective on the deployment of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. With many communities directly accessing federal infrastructure funds for the first time, Anthony outlines priorities for cities, towns, and villages nationwide.     

 Show Notes:   

• NLC Bipartisan Infrastructure Law resources: https://www.nlc.org/initiative/ready-to-rebuild/ 

• Siemens Bipartisan Infrastructure Law resources: https://new.siemens.com/us/en/company/bipartisan-infrastructure.html 

• Youth Excel: https://www.nlc.org/initiative/youth-excel/#:~:text=To%20support%20cities'%20efforts%20to,Youth%20Economic%20Recovery%20and%20Empowerment. 

Babara talks with Chad Frischmann, co-author of the New York Times best-seller "Drawdown: The Most Comprehensive Plan Ever Proposed to Reverse Global Warming," about what is possible in the arena of reducing greenhouse gasses.  They have some surprisingly positive insights based on existing and emerging technologies. 

They offer a vision of a future where atmospheric greenhouse gasses start to decline year after year and describe what a truly regenerative future might entail. This episode originally aired on September 16, 2022. 

Show Notes:

• Regenerative Intelligence
• Project Drawdown

Sustainability, consumer choices and pure economics are all coming together to support a renewable future. But first we need to bring this energy onto the power grid. To learn how, Barbara talks to Sonja Glavaski, Chief Scientist for Energy Digitalization in the Energy & Environment Directorate at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory.

Previewing the show, Siemens USA CEO Barbara Humpton shares her goals for the podcast and what makes her an optimist even amid a healthcare, economic and societal crisis. This series, she says, will help listeners see infrastructure in a new way: as a tool to build a more resilient future.

Is it time for national preparedness to receive the same attention and visibility as national defense? That’s the takeaway of a new report (see link in show notes) put forward by the Principal to Principal Global Supply Chain Task Force, a group comprised of leaders across government, academia and business. To break down the recommendations, Barbara is joined by task force members Kristi Rogers, Managing Partner and Co-Founder, Principal to Principal, and Greg Bowman, Chief Innovation Officer and Vice President, Siemens Government Technologies. 

Show notes: 

Report: “Reimagining the Global Supply Chain Post Covid-19”: https://secureservercdn.net/198.71.233.44/9gx.c95.myftpupload.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/P2P-Supply-Chain-Report-FINAL-MAY-2021-compressed.pdf 

Barbara’s op-ed “How to Prepare for the Next National Crisis”: https://thehill.com/opinion/technology/511019-how-to-prepare-for-the-next-national-crisis 

Barbara’s blog post on address semiconductor shortage: https://new.siemens.com/us/en/company/press/siemens-stories/ceo-perspective/siemens-usa-ceo-supporting-bold-action-on-infrastructure-.html 

In June, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported 814,000 open manufacturing jobs, a new record. And according to a report by Deloitte and the Manufacturing Institute (MI), about 2.1 million manufacturing jobs are likely to be unfilled by 2030 without changes to training and talent recruitment strategies. To explain the trends driving these statistics and how to connect workers with good-paying careers, Barbara is joined by MI’s Executive Director, Carolyn Lee, who leads the National Association of Manufacturers’ nonprofit workforce development and education partner. 

Show Notes: 

Talent Shortage Report: https://www2.deloitte.com/us/en/insights/industry/manufacturing/manufacturing-industry-diversity.html 

Siemens USA commitment to workforce development: https://new.siemens.com/us/en/company/press/siemens-stories/ceo-perspective/siemens-usa-ceo-supporting-bold-action-on-workforce.html 

Where the Jobs Are at Siemens USA: https://new.siemens.com/us/en/company/press/press-releases/usa/siemens-where-the-jobs-are.html 

While infrastructure projects have continued during the pandemic, COVID-19 is impacting the construction industry in numerous ways. Richard Kennedy, President and CEO, Skanska USA, joins Barbara to discuss technology trends accelerated by the pandemic and new partnerships for improving how we build and maintain the infrastructure needed today and in the future.  

• Smart Buildings: https://new.siemens.com/us/en/products/buildingtechnologies/smart-buildings.html 
• Smart Infrastructure USA: https://new.siemens.com/us/en/company/about/businesses/smart-infrastructure.html 
• Microgrids: https://new.siemens.com/us/en/company/topic-areas/distributed-energy-systems/princeton-resilient-campus.html 

Why would an optimist try to inspire an audience by sharing the story of the worst day in her career? In this episode, Barbara shares her commencement address at George Mason University, bringing graduates inside a tough setback that ultimately opened up new possibilities in her career journey. Listen for inspiration on why staying true to your authentic self is a superpower as the definition of what it means to lead broadens to include many different styles.  

Show notes:  

Remarks as prepared for delivery: https://www.gmu.edu/news/2024-05/commencement-speaker-barbara-humptons-remarks-george-masons-spring-2024-graduates#:~:text=Throughout%20your%20career%20journey%2C%20remember,enough%20to%20make%20your%20mark. 

Picture this: the power grid, not just an engineering marvel, but the lifeblood of our digital and eco-conscious era. With the AI revolution ramping up data center demands and green energy's rise pushing us towards a brighter, cleaner future, our trusty grid is facing a Herculean task. Can it keep the lights on and our planet cool as we plug into an ever-expanding digital world and strive for sustainability? Barbara thinks so, and she's leading the charge right at the frontier where technology meets electricity. Dive into an episode filled with groundbreaking ideas on using AI and innovative software to achieve both growth and sustainability.

Gridscale X: https://press.siemens.com/global/en/pressrelease/siemens-launches-gridscale-xtm-paving-way-autonomous-grid-management

Can we learn to be optimists? Maggie Smith wrote her best-selling book of quotes and essays, “Keep Moving,” to move forward through the grief, anger, and uncertainty of divorce. For Barbara’s final episode of 2020, a CEO and poet explore how crisis presents an opportunity to shape the future we want, as Smith shares how she came to embrace an optimistic outlook. 

You've heard that the transition to clean energy is going too slowly, and it may be too late. But what if everything you've heard...is wrong! While some may paint a depressing picture of a sluggish transition, the real story is far more optimistic. On this episode, Barbara and her guest Jon Creyts, CEO of RMI, pull back the curtain on the staggering developments that no one has told you about.

From game-changing technology that sounds like science-fiction (but it's real!), to surprising reasons the market will help us get to clean energy faster, you'll get useful and actionable insights about the hidden POSITIVE tipping point we're rapidly approaching. This episode delivers paradigm-shifting information about how our world will transform to clean energy faster than anyone has predicted. (Please note that the company H2 Green Steel mentioned by Jon Creyts now goes by Stegra.)

Show notes:

• Barbara's newsletter: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/optimistic-outlook-7171212265625374720/
• Global Cooling Prize: https://www.cleancoolingcollaborative.org/super-efficient-air-conditioning/
• Sustainable Aviation Buyers Alliance: https://flysaba.org/
• Sustainable Steel Buyers Platform: https://rmi.org/our-work/climate-aligned-industries/sustainable-steel-buyers-platform/

Denver Mayor Michael Hancock joins Barbara to discuss a U.S. Conference of Mayors survey examining mayoral infrastructure priorities in facing an unprecedented health, economic and societal crisis due to COVID-19. They highlight how infrastructure and technology investments can generate new jobs and economic recovery while forging a new path for urban resilience.

Show notes: “Infrastructure, Technology and Mayors’ Priorities for Confronting a Health, Economic and Societal Crisis” https://new.siemens.com/us/en/company/topic-areas/critical-infrastructure/us-conference-of-mayors.html

Before returning to infrastructure topics, Barbara brings listeners inside her January “learning month” through a conversation with Summer Anderson, Managing Director, ZRG Partners. They explore the science behind high performance and the value of trust-based leadership that Summer details in her forthcoming book, “Start Within: Better ROI Begins with You.”  

Show notes: Info on Summer’s book: https://www.startwithinnow.com/ 

2022 will mark a launching point for transformation thanks to the bipartisan infrastructure law, bold climate commitments and the technologies available to modernize manufacturing and revamp the supply chain. But it’s not all about technology. Barbara details how a growth mindset fuels transformation with Eduardo Briceño, the former CEO of Mindset Works and a global keynote speaker, facilitator and guide supporting leaders cultivating growth mindset cultures.

Show notes:

Eduardo’s TED talk on Learning Zone versus Performance Zone: https://www.ted.com/talks/eduardo_briceno_how_to_get_better_at_the_things_you_care_about

Eduardo’s TEDx talk on Growth Mindset: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pN34FNbOKXc

Barbara's blog post on bipartisan infrastructure law: https://new.siemens.com/us/en/company/press/siemens-stories/ceo-perspective/the-infrastructure-bill-supports-bold-action-now-lets-get-to-work.html

Digital innovation is breaking out of Silicon Valley and revolutionizing manufacturing plants across America. What vision do manufacturers have for these cutting-edge tools? How are they tackling digital transformation, cybersecurity, workforce development, and AI integration? Join Barbara as she speaks with Stephen Gold, President and CEO of the Manufacturers Alliance, to get an expert’s take on the Fourth Industrial Revolution and the strides American manufacturers are making in adopting advanced technologies. 

 Show notes:  

Digital Transformation Report: https://www.manufacturersalliance.org/research-insights/digitalizationreport 

A quiet revolution is reshaping how we build, work, and compete at the intersection of AI and American manufacturing. Recorded live at ITI’s Intersect Summit in D.C., this episode explores how breakthroughs in Industrial AI—from Siemens’ AI-powered production tools to Toyota’s collaborative “big room” model—create more intelligent factories and empower U.S. workers. With bipartisan momentum and strategic public-private partnerships, policymakers and industry leaders are aligning to strengthen American competitiveness, rebuild supply chains, and train a future-ready workforce. But the road ahead isn’t without challenges: trust, talent, and scalability remain top priorities. Tune in for a behind-the-scenes look at how AI is no longer just futuristic—it’s already shaping America’s industrial comeback.

Show notes 

Subscribe to Barbara's LinkedIn Newsletter 

What is AI with purpose? For manufacturers, it’s making data valuable | By: Barbara Humpton, CEO Siemens USA

Like manufacturing, covered in recent episodes, the U.S. cybersecurity industry has a massive workforce shortage. The workforce needs to grow 40% just to meet the current need nationwide. In this episode, Barbara is joined by a cybersecurity leader with a vision for how to leverage diversity, equity and inclusion as a solution: Joanna Burkey, CISO, HP. You’ll learn why cybersecurity opportunities are growing and about in-demand skillsets.  

Show notes:  

Joanna’s op-ed “Cybersecurity jobs are booming. Where’s the talent?”: https://garage.hp.com/us/en/news/hp-diverse-cybersecurity-recruiting.html 

Siemens USA Head of Cybersecurity op-ed “Leveraging Cybersecurity to Increase Diversity, Equity and Inclusion”: https://www.isaca.org/resources/news-and-trends/isaca-now-blog/2020/leveraging-cybersecurity-to-increase-diversity-equity-and-inclusion 

Report on DEI in Cybersecurity: https://www.aspeninstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Diversity-Equity-and-Inclusion-in-Cybersecurity_9.921.pdf 

“Team of Teams” book: https://www.amazon.com/Team-Teams-Rules-Engagement-Complex/dp/1591847486 

Join Barbara for an insightful episode taking listeners behind the scenes of Climate Week NYC, held September 22 to 29. This episode recaps conversations and highlights across a pivotal annual event gathering political and business leaders, innovative researchers, high-profile media, and local influencers from across the U.S. and the globe. Together, they discuss the current state of sustainability, evaluate climate action efforts, and explore cutting-edge technologies driving a net-zero future. Barbara speaks with Adam Lake, Head of Communications, North America, Climate Group; Shyla Raghav, Chief Climate Officer for TIME; and Kristy Drutman, Founder of Brown Girl Green. Discover what impressed them most about Climate Week NYC 2024 and their key takeaways from this influential event. 

What does it take to power the future of transportation, industry, and infrastructure? In this electrifying episode, we’re joined by Jennifer Mefford, National Co-Chair of the Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Training Program (EVITP), to explore how cutting-edge training reshapes the electrical workforce.   Jennifer shares how EVITP is preparing electricians to meet the skyrocketing demand for EV infrastructure—and in the process, transform careers and lives. From real-world success stories to the strategies fueling this skilled trades revolution, discover how today’s electricians lead the charge toward a cleaner, more connected future.

Show notes

More about the Siemens Foundation 

More about the Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Training Program (EVITP)

Subscribe to Barbara's LinkedIn Newsletter

Digital innovation is no longer limited to Silicon Valley. Some of the most exciting, and potentially world-changing, developments are happening in manufacturing plants across America as industrial automation systems interact with software and AI. What is the vision for applying tools that first emerged in consumer sectors in American industry? And what could the benefits be beyond forging an even more competitive, stronger U.S. manufacturing sector? To learn more, Barbara sits down with Del Costy, who leads Siemens’ work providing industrial technologies to U.S. manufacturers and the federal government. Listen to hear Del’s perspective, drawn from decades of industry experience, as he reflects on the changes he has seen during his career, including how platforms are democratizing advanced and emerging technologies. 

Siemens Xcelerator: https://www.siemens.com/us/en/company/digital-transformation/xcelerator.html

Virtual PLC: https://press.siemens.com/global/en/pressrelease/first-virtual-simatic-controller-enables-more-flexible-software-based-automation

Metaverse demo and FREYR partnership: https://press.siemens.com/global/en/pressrelease/freyr-scale-battery-cell-gigafactory-production-siemens-xcelerator

In 2020, the pandemic accelerated the adoption of new cloud technologies. Where do we go from here? Stephen Orban, General Manager, Amazon Web Services (AWS) Data Exchange, joins Barbara to discuss the cloud’s potential for helping America reopen, helping organizations thrive in the new normal, and more. 

Show Notes:

• Reopening America: https://new.siemens.com/us/en/company/about/covid-19-coronavirus.html 
• Smart building solutions: https://new.siemens.com/us/en/products/buildingtechnologies/smart-buildings/iot-smart-spaces.html 
• Stephen’s book, “Ahead in the Cloud”: https://www.amazon.com/Ahead-Cloud-Practices-Navigating-Enterprise/dp/1981924310 

A big challenge in co-existing with the COVID-19 pandemic is understanding how to create safe indoor spaces. Scott Rechler, CEO of New York City-based RxR Realty, shares technology solutions being used to reinvent buildings and offices.

Barbara launches the 2022 season with solutions for reinventing America’s supply chain featuring Siemens experts. In this episode, Barbara focuses on the semiconductor shortage with insights from Dave Gross, Strategic Development Portfolio Executive, Siemens Digital Industries Software. Listeners will understand the history of U.S. chips production and what can be done with technology and through legislation such as the CHIPS for America Act.   

Show notes:  

Digital solutions for electronics and semiconductors: https://www.plm.automation.siemens.com/global/en/industries/electronics-semiconductors/ 

Barbara on “Glocal”: https://milkeninstitute.org/article/future-manufacturing-going-glocal 

Barbara’s blog post supporting CHIPS Act: https://new.siemens.com/us/en/company/press/siemens-stories/ceo-perspective/siemens-usa-ceo-supporting-bold-action-on-infrastructure-.html 

Statement after White House roundtable: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/siemens-usa-ceo-white-house-semiconductor-roundtable-barbara-humpton/ 

Brian Neff, CEO of Sintavia, a leader in additive manufacturing, joins the podcast to help listeners understand how a new era of virtual design and 3D printing expands what’s humanly possible. You’ll learn what additive manufacturing is, how it transforms the factory floor, how it could decarbonize aviation, and why more firms aren’t shifting away from traditional processes.

Show Notes: 

Brian’s TEDx Talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x7bpop0zryY 

Barbara’s national preparedness op-ed: https://thehill.com/opinion/technology/511019-how-to-prepare-for-the-next-national-crisis?rl=1 

Transforming U.S. manufacturing: https://new.siemens.com/us/en/company/press/siemens-stories/ceo-perspective/siemens-usa-ceo-supporting-bold-action-on-infrastructure-.html 

Join Barbara Humpton in this fascinating conversation with Michelle DeFeo, President of Laurent-Perrier US. Discover how this legendary champagne house is leading the charge with sustainable business practices while maintaining the extraordinary standards of its bottles of premium bubbly. Michelle shares insights into how Laurent-Perrier, a family-owned champagne house since 1812, is advancing climate resilience by rethinking every aspect of champagne production, from its humble beginnings on the vine to how the bottles are delivered globally. A perfect blend of tradition, innovation, and environmental consciousness in the world of fine wines.

For decades, American manufacturing shifted to other countries. Now, it’s growing again in the United States. To launch a new “Optimistic Insights” series, Barbara outlines the trends such as emerging technologies and what she calls “glocalization” that are driving American manufacturing’s resurgence. This episode will help listeners to understand the convergence between the tech economy and American industry. Explore the bright future ahead for workers eager to help American manufacturing lead the way in innovation, sustainability and prosperity.

Show notes:

Investing in American manufacturing: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231103426573/en/Siemens-to-invest-more-than-US500-million-in-U.S.-manufacturing-for-critical-infrastructure-in-2023

Industrial technologies expanding what’s humanly possible: https://www.siemens.com/us/en/company/topic-areas/industrial-automation.html

As industries electrify—from EVs to critical infrastructure—the demand for skilled talent is skyrocketing. But how do we break down barriers to entry and ensure that the workforce of tomorrow is ready? In this episode, Barbara is joined by Dr. Scott Ralls, President, Wake Tech Community College. Dr. Ralls shares lessons learned and insights from his experience guiding Wake Tech’s innovative strategies connecting workforce and education opportunities. He highlights a variety of solutions, from registered apprenticeship programs to new fast-track training courses, helping students to "ladder up" into promising careers. Tune in for an inspiring conversation about how partnerships, education, and hands-on training are lighting the way for the next generation of workers.  

Show notes:

EVeryone Charging Forward™ - Building a workforce for the growing American EV charging sector.

Unique New Program Trains Technicians in EV Charging Stations

Siemens invests $36 million in Wendell, NC to elevate customer experience, advance training, boost manufacturing, and strengthen sustainability efforts

Subscribe to Barbara's LinkedIn Newsletter

In using data to bring infrastructure online, cybersecurity conversations tend to focus on everything going wrong. With Laura Bate, a director of cyber engagement at the U.S. Cyberspace Solarium Commission, Barbara delves into a world in which everything goes right instead.

Barbara shares her keynote speech from May’s Automate conference in Detroit.

Show notes:

Siemens and FREYR: https://press.siemens.com/global/en/pressrelease/freyr-scale-battery-cell-gigafactory-production-siemens-xcelerator

 Advanced Manufacturing: https://www.siemens.com/us/en/company/topic-areas/advanced-manufacturing.html

Optimizing Battery Production: https://www.siemens.com/us/en/company/topic-areas/advanced-manufacturing/large-battery-manufacturing.html

In this series, Barbara looks at what it takes to bring back in-person learning across schools, colleges and universities. In Part 1, Molloy College President Dr. James Lentini joins the podcast alongside Siemens’ Fred James and David Santo to talk about the air purification and technology partnership helping Molloy College expand in-person learning with confidence in 2021. 

Show Notes:

• Reopening Education: https://new.siemens.com/us/en/products/buildingtechnologies/markets/education.html 
• Air purification solution: https://assets.new.siemens.com/siemens/assets/api/uuid:91e4900b-7cb4-4382-b51e-f5ea39560f51/siemens-o2prime-highered.pdf 
• Reopening America: https://new.siemens.com/us/en/company/about/covid-19-coronavirus.html 

In her final episode of 2024, Barbara looks ahead to 2025, where industry, technology, and sustainability collide. From the groundbreaking innovation at CES to the rise of software-defined automation and industrial AI, this episode explores the rise of a new industrial tech sector. Barbara dives into trends reshaping industries: clean tech advancements, the democratization of technology, and how AI will empower workers to thrive in a fast-evolving landscape. Tune in for bold predictions, thought-provoking insights, and a vision for a more connected, sustainable future.

Barbara is joined by United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby to take a look back at the first passenger flight powered by sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) in December 2021. You’ll learn about United’s Eco-Skies Alliance leading a shift to SAF, the aviation industry’s commitment to decarbonization, and why Kirby sees climate change as the biggest challenge facing our generation.

Show notes:

Eco-Skies Alliance Announcement: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/united-airlines-to-lead-industry-switch-to-sustainable-aviation-fuel-with-global-corporations-customers-301267616.html

More info: https://www.united.com/ual/en/us/fly/company/global-citizenship/environment/ecoskies-alliance.html

Climate action at Siemens: https://new.siemens.com/us/en/company/environmental-society-governance/environmental-action.html

Airport modernization: https://assets.new.siemens.com/siemens/assets/api/uuid:ee473003-d731-40f4-b75f-257eb9447eb9/sie2021-airports-federal-funding-flyer-final-12-17-21.pdf?ste_sid=f53d07985316289351cb1470f93e409c

Capital campaign to decarbonize SMEs: https://new.siemens.com/us/en/company/about/businesses/financial-services/smes-kickstarter-capital.html

Effective partnerships between large companies and startups can accelerate net-zero strategies and even produce cost savings that strengthen the business case. Recording from the TED Countdown Summit, Barbara talks to Maisie Devine, Executive Director of Sustainable Innovation at AB InBev and Founder of the award-winning 100+ Accelerator program, which is building an ecosystem of partners delivering breakthrough advancements in supply chain decarbonization. They share takeaways from the conference and introduce listeners to a unique vertical farming project that could remake hops production. Siemens is a member of the TED Future Forum, a TED Countdown initiative focused on the role of business in accelerating solutions to the climate crisis.   

Show notes: 

100+ Accelerator: https://www.ab-inbev.com/sustainability/100-accelerator/ 

Vertical farming: https://www.siemens.com/global/en/company/stories/industry/2023/vertical-farming-controlled-environment-agriculture-cea-digital-transformation-sustainability-80-acres-farms.html 

The U.S. power grid has been called both the “greatest machine ever built” and the “great enabler” of our greatest innovations. But can we successfully reinvent it? In this decade of action, with technology companies stepping up and new federal climate and infrastructure laws moving forward that each focus on power grid modernization, Barbara is joined by Karen Wayland, CEO, Gridwise Alliance. Karen is a recognized expert in national energy and environmental policy who has served in leadership positions at the highest levels of government and nonprofits.

Show notes:

Gridwise Alliance: https://gridwise.org/

Grid Modernization: https://www.siemens.com/us/en/company/bipartisan-infrastructure.html

Resilience. In the wake of today’s crises, we now hear it all the time. But what it does really mean, and what will be the benefits of having more resilient infrastructure? To answer that question, Barbara talks to Seth Shultz, Global Executive Director of The Resilience Shift.

Show notes:

• Resilient Leadership Project: https://www.resilienceshift.org/resilient-leadership/
• International Coalition for Sustainable Infrastructure: https://www.sustainability-coalition.org/

As vaccines shine a bright light through the darkest days of the pandemic, Barbara shares her thoughts on how we can begin the work of reopening America and building a more resilient future. Listeners will learn practical ways that technology can help us take steps and potential opportunities in 2021 to launch large-scale action to reinvent America’s infrastructure. 

Show Notes:

• Resources: https://new.siemens.com/us/en/company/about/covid-19-coronavirus.html 

Barbara brings listeners inside Siemens’ big manufacturing announcement made with President Biden at the White House. You’ll hear the President’s (virtual) meeting with manufacturing workers before the event starts. Turning to the event, Barbara makes the case for why automation isn’t to be feared prior to President Biden’s speech on his Administration's Made in America commitments.

• Press release: https://new.siemens.com/us/en/company/press/press-releases/usa/siemens-investing-54m-us-manufacturing-support.html#:~:text=Washington%2C%20DC%20%7C%20March%204%2C,that%20serve%20critical%20infrastructure%20markets. 

• White House Made in America; https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2022/03/04/fact-sheet-biden-harris-administration-delivers-on-made-in-america-commitments/ 

• Supporting bipartisan infrastructure law: https://new.siemens.com/us/en/company/building-for-a-changing-tomorrow.html 

• Video replay of press event: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dptKs99MS94&t=194s 

United for Infrastructure is a nonpartisan organization that brings together businesses, workers, elected leaders and citizens to advocate for the renewal of America’s infrastructure. CEO and Co-Founder Zach Schafer shares key takeaways from the organization’s recent week-long virtual gathering of experts focused on how to #RebuildBetter.

Show Notes:

• United for Infrastructure

Barbara reflects on how her ideas about leadership changed during the pandemic by sharing an audio version of her recent leadership essay, The Greatest Gift We Can Give Our Organizations.

Show Notes:

Comment on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/greatest-gift-we-can-give-our-organizations-barbara-humpton/

Art of Leading Interview: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/key-role-leaders-help-people-understand-what-good-looks-adam-bryant/?trackingId=gXb6mof6ZeWLcKVC6p4P1w%3D%3D

Barbara’s 2021 leadership essay: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/i-fell-ill-covid-19-shutdowns-began-heres-what-taught-barbara-humpton/

As we close out 2024, we’re reflecting on the incredible transformations shaping our cities and economies. In this special year-end episode, Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens shares his bold vision for making Atlanta a top-5 American tech hub. From public-private partnerships to fostering tech talent, Mayor Dickens dives into the strategies powering the “Tech City of the South” and highlights how innovation is creating opportunities for all. Whether you're inspired by Atlanta's rise or curious about the future of tech cities, this episode offers a hopeful look at what’s ahead for urban growth and inclusivity in the digital age.

Show notes: 

Atlanta Office of Technology and Innovation: https://www.atlantaga.gov/government/mayor-s-office/executive-offices/office-of-innovation-delivery-and-performance 

A rare upside to a global pandemic? Less driving helped to reduce carbon emissions and improve air quality. Vic Shao, CEO, Amply Power, outlines how we can continue to accelerate climate action even while restarting the economy by focusing on the immediately actionable opportunity to scale the use of electric mobility.

Show Notes:

• California mandate for zero emission trucks

You’ve probably heard many perspectives on AI since the rise of ChatGPT, but this one is different. In this Optimistic Insights, Barbara shares how Industrial AI is allowing Siemens to redefine what's possible for humans.  The modern factory has always produced more data than human capacity for analysis and application can handle. Suddenly, AI is transforming this massive output of data from mere stored information into a goldmine of actionable insights. Barbara explains how this remarkable collaboration between humans and AI is not only resulting in gains in productivity; it's also propelling gains in sustainability. Barbara's compelling insights on this episode serve as a beacon of inspiration for your own digital transformation journey. 

Show notes: 

Barbara with Anne Neuberger: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fidlHNw-T-k 

Industrial AI: https://www.siemens.com/global/en/products/automation/topic-areas/artificial-intelligence-in-industry.html 

Can the future of manufacturing be almost like playing a video game? In this Optimistic Insights episode, Barbara looks back to CES in January and presents Siemens’ vision for the Industrial Metaverse, breaking down Siemens AG CEO Roland Busch’s keynote speech. Prepare to learn about the key building blocks for making the industrial metaverse a reality, including digital twins, and the world-changing potential for combining the real and virtual worlds in industry, infrastructure,  and transportation.

Show notes:

CES keynote: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C38ZX1BcGrE   

Report with MIT: https://www.siemens.com/global/en/company/digital-transformation/industrial-metaverse/the-emergent-industrial-metaverse.html?gclid=Cj0KCQiAoKeuBhCoARIsAB4Wxte43FPQ5PFyb2FU_xJqud7MYbBZvDjz3PsTvxU5M-a-8rfrqRK3q1waAt1zEALw_wcB&acz=1&gad_source=1

How is clean technology transforming American manufacturing? In this episode, we explore a groundbreaking industrial microgrid project at Siemens’ Wendell, NC factory that’s rewriting the rules of how factories operate. Brian Dula, President of the Electrification and Automation business at Siemens Smart Infrastructure USA, shares how Siemens’ $36 million investment in Wendell is not only improving efficiency but also creating new career opportunities. 

We uncover how clean tech and electrification aren’t just about sustainability—they’re driving real business advantages and shaping the future of American industry. Whether you’re in policy, on the factory floor, in tech, or just curious about the future of energy, this conversation will challenge everything you thought you knew about manufacturing. 

This is a very intriguing discussion with Anne Neuberger, Deputy National Security Advisor for Cyber and Emerging Technology! In this episode, you'll discover exclusive insights straight from the policymaker on the heels of the White House’s executive order establishing standards for AI. While cybercriminals might exploit AI for nefarious purposes, Anne reveals how AI is revolutionizing the security and resilience of our critical infrastructure. Learn the latest strategies for balancing AI risks with its immense potential, in an episode full of up-to-the-minute info you won't find anywhere else. 

Barbara reflects on earlier episodes and previews 2022 season as the bipartisan infrastructure law is rolled out. Instead of applying an optimistic outlook to what we could do, she says, now we can focus on what we will do and what’s next. Episodes will cover potential infrastructure projects, how to accelerate climate action, how to reinvent America’s supply chain and localize manufacturing, and the convergence of infrastructure investment with digital transformation.

Barbara turns her focus to K-12 schools, highlighting the reopening story of public schools in Augusta, Maine. Jon Stonier, Augusta School Department Director of Building and Grounds, and Siemens’ Erik Matzell, Senior Sales Executive, join the show to talk about the school system’s focus on air purification technology and infrastructure upgrades to safely return students to classrooms.   

Show Notes:

Reopening Education: https://new.siemens.com/us/en/products/buildingtechnologies/markets/education.html

Strategies: https://new.siemens.com/us/en/products/campaigns/building-technologies/markets/education/re-open-education-white-paper-form.html

More than 500,000 American manufacturing jobs remain unfilled. Are negative perceptions and myths about manufacturing holding young people and career seekers back from pursuing these high-paying jobs now attainable to people of all backgrounds? 

Terry Iverson, former owner of Iverson & Company and founder of CHAMPION Now!, an organization dedicated to improving the image of manufacturing among students, parents, and educators, joins Barbara to discuss: 

• The roots of the worker shortage problem 

• Common myths and misconceptions 

• Inspiring career success stories 

• Why newcomers are advancing quickly 

• The case for ANYONE interested in manufacturing applying for open roles  

Show notes: 

CHAMPION Now!: https://championnow.org/about/ 

With American healthcare representing 10% of U.S. carbon emissions, decarbonizing hospitals and healthcare systems promises to deliver meaningful climate action. In this episode, Barbara brings listeners inside an innovative project reducing energy usage in imaging at University of California San Francisco (UCSF). The solutions will not only help to support decarbonization but yield immediate operational savings for hospitals and healthcare systems recovering financially from the pandemic. Guests are Dr. Sean Woolen, USCF’s Assistant Professor for Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging and Director of the Green Radiology, and Jerry Folsom, Global Head of Digital Portfolio for Healthcare and Life Science, Siemens Smart Infrastructure.

Show notes:

Study results: https://www.siemens-healthineers.com/en-us/press-room/press-releases/greenradiology

Smart healthcare: https://www.siemens.com/us/en/markets/healthcare.html

Press release: https://www.siemens.com/us/en/company/press/siemens-stories/usa/siemens-helps-put-sustainability-forefront-medical-imaging-care.html

True to Steve Jobs' prediction, the iPhone really did change everything. But was it the device itself...or apps that made the digital world easier to access for non-tech experts? This episode explores a tech breakthrough that happened 15 years after Jobs' famous consumer product release, when Siemens launched a digital business platform with a different purpose: to help innovators transform industry, infrastructure and transportation. She's joined by Marshall Van Alstyne, who wrote all about the rise of platforms in the consumer world (the book's called "Platform Revolution," and it's a bestseller) to show you how the app principles letting us put data into action with the click of a button now apply to managing machines, grids, and trains. Plus, Peter Koerte, Chief Technology and Strategy Officer at Siemens, joins to highlight how merging the real with the digital could be our secret weapon in the fight against climate change. Turns out, the next big tech revolution isn't coming to your devices, but to the physical world all around you. 

Show notes: 

Siemens Xcelerator Press Release: https://xcelerator.siemens.com/global/en.html

Platform Revolution: https://www.amazon.com/Platform-Revolution-Networked-Markets-Transforming/dp/0393249131 

Peter’s article: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/digitalization-decarbonization-two-megatrends-each-other-peter-koerte/?trackingId=Sg8Tf%2BSWT0%2B%2BRNFwc0fwMg%3D%3D&linkId=300000002456347 

Barbara visits a groundbreaking microgrid project in the South Side Chicago neighborhood of Bronzeville. Features interviews with ComEd CEO Gil Quiniones and Paul Pabst, who leads ComEd’s Smart Grid department.

SHOW NOTES: 

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ecvUf5sdOJs&list=PLF415F6CFBF8D6A91&index=2

Microgrids opportunities in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law: https://new.siemens.com/us/en/company/bipartisan-infrastructure.html

Siemens CEO Roland Busch joins Barbara to discuss “glocalization” and how to scale technologies shaping a better tomorrow as industry and infrastructure become more productive and sustainable. 

Show notes:  

Roland on glocalization: https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2023/01/globalization-isn-t-working-but-glocalization-can-davos2023/ 

Siemens Xcelerator and Industrial Metaverse: https://new.siemens.com/global/en/company/insights.html 

Roland’s annual shareholders meeting speech: https://assets.new.siemens.com/siemens/assets/api/uuid:44ea0485-0c69-4005-be07-ae7364cf41aa/Roland-Busch-HV-Rede-2023-EN.pdf 

Rail Manufacturing Announcement: https://press.siemens.com/global/en/pressrelease/siemens-mobility-invest-220-million-north-carolina-rail-manufacturing-facility 

As the clock ticks down on critical climate goals, can we still turn the tide? Barbara reveals why she believes the answer is “yes” while drawing inspiration from the recent Breakthrough Energy Summit, which brings together global leaders focused on big ideas for net-zero technologies. In this episode, she explores how new breakthroughs in technology *partnerships* can help us to meet our climate targets. Discover how to decarbonize buildings, how to rapidly scale solar power, and much more.

Show notes:

Bronzeville microgrid: https://theoptimisticoutlook.podbean.com/e/the-overlooked-solution-to-scaling-clean-power

Breakthrough Report: https://transition.breakthroughenergy.org/

What if the key to a stronger, more inclusive workforce starts before college? In this inspiring episode, we sit down with Taylor White, Director of Postsecondary Pathways for Youth at New America’s Center on Education and Labor, to explore how youth apprenticeships are transforming the future of work. Taylor shares her insight as the leader of the groundbreaking Partnership to Advance Youth Apprenticeship (PAYA) initiative, which has been breaking down barriers and opening doors for young people since 2020. From real-world experience to meaningful career pathways, discover how these innovative programs expand opportunity, bridge the education-to-employment gap, and shape a brighter future for the next generation.

Show notes

More about the Partnership to Advance Youth Apprenticeship (PAYA) 

Subscribe to Barbara's LinkedIn Newsletter

Barbara is joined by Maisie Devine, Executive Director of Sustainable Innovation at AB InBev and Founder of the 100+ Accelerator program. They dig into how strategic collaborations between large corporations and startups are not only speeding up net-zero strategies but also driving significant cost savings that reinforce the business case for sustainability - including in the beer brewing industry!  This episode originally aired August 8 2023.

Show Notes:

• 100+ Accelerator Program

• Vertical Farming Initiative

3D printing, also known as additive manufacturing, ranks among the most promising developments in the effort to revitalize American manufacturing and localize supply chains. But what are the technologies that can help upstart additive companies to scale operations and industrialize 3D printing? And how can this make U.S. supply chains more resilient? In this episode, Barbara gets answers to these questions from Brian Neff, CEO, Sintavia, a leading additive manufacturing firm supplying vital components to the aerospace industry, as they explore the important role of digital threads in transforming production. Get ready to learn how Sintavia has fully embraced software to drive their operating model – how this will enable them to quintuple their business without making additional investment – and the potential for these solutions to be adopted by other small- and medium-sized enterprises. 

Show notes:

Sintavia and the digital thread: https://blogs.sw.siemens.com/additive/sintavia-is-pushing-the-additive-manufacturing-factory-into-the-future/

As America reopens, U.S. Representative Lisa Blunt Rochester joins the show to explore how to better prepare the nation for future crises while addressing societal inequities exacerbated by the pandemic. As they discuss solutions across infrastructure and workforce development, you’ll learn about the Congresswoman’s proposed infrastructure legislation, including the Open Back Better Act, which would authorize funding for energy efficiency and resiliency retrofit projects in schools, medical facilities, government buildings, education institutions, libraries and more. 

Show Notes:  

Open Back Better Act: https://bluntrochester.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2481 

Reopening America: https://new.siemens.com/us/en/company/about/covid-19-coronavirus.html 

Barbara’s open infrastructure letter: https://new.siemens.com/us/en/company/press/siemens-stories/ceo-perspective/siemens-usa-ceo-an-open-letter-on-us-infrastructure-to-government-leaders.html 

We're bringing you an extra episode highlighting one of our favorite podcasts. Smart People Podcast is a biweekly, interview-based podcast that features today's most well-respected thought leaders engaging in authentic conversation. The show is an excellent binge, and in this episode, Guy Kawasaki delivers a practical, tactical, and sometimes radical discussion of how to make a difference in the world and live a fulfilling life.

If you like this episode, listen to Smart People Podcast wherever you get your podcasts, or visit their website here. 

Across industry, infrastructure, and transportation, technology is changing rapidly, and changing everything. How do organizations reskill quickly enough and create lifelong learning cultures that embrace change to drive innovation? And how can this focus on people lead to the rise of more sustainable companies? In two words, trust and empowerment, says Judith Wiese. Barbara’s guest on this episode is Siemens’ Chief People and Sustainability Officer (CPSO) as well as Member of the Managing Board of Siemens AG and Labor Director. Get ready to understand the connection between digital upskilling and the ability to address the climate crisis and build a sustainable future.

Show notes:

DEGREE: https://www.siemens.com/global/en/company/sustainability.html?gclid=CjwKCAjw9cCyBhBzEiwAJTUWNUdgnmq-v3wNBXMfadY3iZv7e-_Md2hc0j2GF34_MWJ5aaagyNGu-xoCe9kQAvD_BwE&acz=1&gad_source=1

SiGREEN: https://www.siemens.com/global/en/company/sustainability/product-carbon-footprint.html?gclid=CjwKCAjw9cCyBhBzEiwAJTUWNQuKBRZ9Rqd4l2CEeCIyTYE1si-CRxnv89m-VvHz7m2qPxTJKWtBrxoCfr0QAvD_BwE&acz=1&gad_source=1

Barbara brings listeners inside her experience attending COP26 and the White House bill signing ceremony for the bipartisan infrastructure bill.

• Siemens USA Climate Action: https://new.siemens.com/us/en/company/environmental-society-governance/environmental-action.html 

• Siemens ESG Strategy: https://new.siemens.com/us/en/company/environmental-society-governance.html 

• Blog post on bipartisan infrastructure law: https://new.siemens.com/us/en/company/press/siemens-stories/ceo-perspective/the-infrastructure-bill-supports-bold-action-now-lets-get-to-work.html 

• Yahoo Finance: “We need everything that’s in here”: https://news.yahoo.com/infrastructure-bill-everything-thats-siemens-190220322.html 

• CNBC: “We’re built for this moment”: https://www.cnbc.com/video/2021/11/15/siemens-u-s-ceo-on-the-impact-of-the-infrastructure-bill.html 

Barbara brings listeners inside a United for Infrastructure event focused on accelerating electric vehicle deployment and grid modernization in North Carolina, with commentary from North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper; Brian Savoy, Chief Strategy and Commercial Officer for Duke Energy; and Charles Lattuca, President and CEO of GoTriangle, which provides bus services in North Carolina’s Research Triangle region. 

Show notes: 

Electrifying North Carolina transit: https://new.siemens.com/us/en/company/press/press-releases/smart-infrastructure/siemens-advances-north-carolinas-electric-transit-efforts.html 

Volkswagen and Siemens invest in Electrify America: https://press.siemens.com/global/en/pressrelease/volkswagen-and-siemens-invest-electrify-americas-ambitious-growth-plan?spr_cid=120_12955&spr_pid=300000303245101&linkId=300000002778471 

Acting on the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law: https://new.siemens.com/us/en/company/building-for-a-changing-tomorrow.html 

It might be the beginning of the end for the pandemic, yet the climate crisis—and with it, another healthcare crisis— looms large: Air pollution now contributes to 7 million global deaths annually, with the World Health Organization reporting that 98 percent of the world’s children aren’t breathing clean air. Jane Burston, Executive Director and Founder of the Clean Air Fund, joins Barbara with Martin Powell, Head of Sustainability, Americas, for Siemens Financial Services Inc., to tackle this issue. They discuss what’s being done to not only raise the quality of the air we breathe, but to make clean air a basic human right grounding the work to build a sustainable future. 

Show Notes:

Jane’s letter to the 21st century: https://www.cleanairfund.org/blog-post/a-letter-to-2021-from-clean-air-funds-executive-director/ 

Siemens’ environmental action: https://new.siemens.com/us/en/company/sustainability/environmental-action.html#:~:text=Climate%20neutral%20business%20operations%20by,and%20cafes%20globally%20by%202023. 

Supporting Biden administration’s climate commitment: https://www.wemeanbusinesscoalition.org/ambitious-u-s-2030-ndc/?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=US_NDC