Giving Back

Ten years ago, I was wandering UNC's quads as a young Tar Heel, blindly studying physics, with no clear sense of purpose or direction. I also wore a fedora because I thought it was cool. Nobody told me it wasn't. I'm still processing that.

Last week, I went back to campus for the UNC Cleantech Summit. I did not expect it to hit me as hard as it did.

The conference had real energy: new technologies, sharp minds, serious momentum. But the part that impacted me most had nothing to do with the panels.

It was four college students I got to mentor and spend time with. Brilliant, capable, excited. But uncertain.

One wanted to work in clean energy finance but wasn't sure the industry would take her seriously without a traditional finance background. Another wanted to make a real impact on the planet but didn't know where to start.

I kept thinking: no one pulled me aside at 21 and told me renewable energy is a real career with real impact, and that I was built for it. I figured it out the long way, deal by deal, by always saying yes to the next hard thing.

That's what I tried to give back. Not a roadmap or a shortcut. Just a warm invite into an industry that is always hungry for talented people, and permission to listen to the universe and follow what genuinely interests you. There are thousands of great companies in this sector willing to give young people a chance, exactly as they once gave to me.

Ten years later, I walked back across that same quad. Sentimental and grateful. Older. No fedora. Finally, knowing part of my purpose.

I saw so much of my younger self in those four students. Ten years ago, I needed someone to tell me I belonged and had purpose. Last week, I got to be that person.