Admittedly: College Admissions with Thomas Caleel S2E19: Career Highlight - How to Drive Change: Navigating the Shift from Tech to Climate Tech with Christian Hernandez
In today's episode Thomas Caleel is joined by a very special guest, Christian Hernandez. Christian, a technologist and experienced venture capitalist, has an impressive background. Prior to co-founding 2150, a venture capital firm focused on climate solutions, Christian launched White Star Capital, a venture capital fund with over 250 million dollars in assets under management and a global presence. Christian also held leadership roles through the scale-up phase of some of the world's largest technology companies, notably as Head of International Business Development at Facebook and Head of New Markets at Google. Christian holds a BA in economics from Duke University and an MBA from the Wharton School.
Key Points:
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The Birth of 2150: Christian shared the story of how he transitioned from the world of technology and venture capitalism to co-founding 2150, a venture capital firm focused on climate solutions. He mentioned attending a Princeton executive education event on climate, which inspired him to apply his expertise to address the climate crisis.
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Career Evolution: Christian's journey from considering a career in medicine to becoming deeply involved in technology and venture capitalism showcases the importance of flexibility and staying true to one's passions.
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Encouraging Flexibility: Christian emphasized the importance of encouraging young individuals to explore their passions and interests, even if they change over time. Flexibility is key to finding the right path.
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Summer Experiences: Christian discussed the value of summer experiences for students. While some may benefit from academic programs related to their interests, others might find value in working minimum-wage jobs to gain life experience.
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Climate Action: Christian outlined three crucial aspects of addressing climate change: education on climate issues, voting for policy change, and taking personal agency to contribute to climate solutions.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, Christian Hernandez's journey from technology to climate tech venture capital serves as a testament to the importance of staying true to one's passions and being flexible in career choices. His insights into climate change and the need for action, both at the individual and policy levels, highlight the urgency of addressing this critical issue. We appreciate Christian's time and wisdom on the Admittedly Podcast.
About Thomas Caleel
Thomas is an alumnus of the University of Pennsylvania. After earning his MBA at the Wharton School of Business in 2003, he moved to Silicon Valley. For three years, he was Director of MBA Admissions and Financial Aid at Wharton. He worked closely with admissions professionals, students, alumni, and professors to curate the best possible MBA class. Thomas has been an entrepreneur his entire life in the fields of finance, agriculture, wellness, and sporting goods. As the founder of Global Education Opportunities LLC, he works as a high level admissions advisor to help families and students achieve their education goals. Thomas started the podcast Admittedly because he is passionate about demystifying the application process for all parents and applicants.
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