Would you dare to found an unproven venture during the COVID-19 pandemic?

Yes, Irina Filippova bravely took that risk.

Born into a family deeply rooted in science in Russia, Irina showed a keen interest in diplomacy. This led her to study international relations and secure a promising early career position at the International Peace Institute. To further enhance her business skillset and mindset, she attended Yale MBA program.

Irina's true calling lay in the energy sector, prompting her move to BP in London. During her tenure there, she was involved in brand marketing, innovation, sustainability initiatives, and mergers and acquisitions. She also took on several prestigious roles: Senior Strategy Advisor at Kuwait Petroleum Corp., Executive Director at 2DegreesC in the UK, and Director of Investments at Venetos Management in Switzerland.

Currently based in Cincinnati, Irina’s drive for innovation has led her to the roles of COO and co-founder at Electrada LLC, funded by BlackRock Real Assets. Electrada collaborates with fleet operators to design and build 100% tailored EV charging solutions.

Episode Breakdown:

3:28 — Nuclear Scientist’s Daughter to Woman Diplomat

8:20 — The Self-Starter’s Edge: How curiosity fuels Irina’s career decisions.

12:40 — Career Flexibility: “I’m not wedded to a specific structure of career.”

14:54 — Strategic Career Opportunities: Bridging gaps and connecting dots.

18:55 — Defining Change Leadership at organizational levels.

22:10 — Passion About Energy Transition: Exploring the motivations behind her focus on energy solutions, the challenges she tackles, and her target beneficiaries.

27:55 — Challenging Assumptions: If clients relying on Irina’s solutions for fleet energy needs, what about the risks of counterparty and concentration?

32:45 — The Thrill of Entrepreneurship: “What excites me is also what scares me.”

36:55 — Career advice for MBAs: “Don’t feel entitled.”

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• Irina Filippova and Vince Chan

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