Thursday Mar 16, 2023
Cracking the code: How to transform industry and infrastructure
Optimistic Outlook
On the Optimistic Outlook, Barbara Humpton, CEO of Siemens USA, engages listeners in the technological transformation occurring across American industry and infrastructure. Episodes not only examine challenges related to climate, workforce and digital transformation but offer solutions and a path forward by deploying readily available technologies. Barbara’s visionary perspective is designed to spark bold thinking among listeners, urging them to innovate toward a sustainable and eco-friendly future. Each episode delves into the intersection of technology, leadership, and workplace dynamics, offering practical insights and inspiring stories from industry experts. From renewable energy to digital manufacturing, Barbara explores the transformative potential of sustainable solutions, urging listeners to rethink traditional approaches and embrace innovative strategies. With a keen eye toward mentorship and collaboration, Barbara empowers individuals to drive positive change within their organizations and communities. Listeners can expect thought-provoking discussions on topics such as the role of digitalization in reshaping industrial manufacturing, the impact of sustainable transportation on urban development, and the importance of fostering a culture of innovation in the workplace. Through real-world examples and actionable insights, Barbara demonstrates how businesses can leverage technology and leadership to address pressing environmental challenges while driving economic growth and prosperity. The Optimistic Outlook is more than just a podcast—it’s a platform for meaningful dialogue and inspiration. Listeners are encouraged to join the conversation and contribute their ideas for building a more sustainable and resilient future. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or an aspiring leader, this podcast offers invaluable insights and practical advice for navigating the complexities of a rapidly changing world. Join Barbara Humpton and her guests as they explore the possibilities of tomorrow and uncover the key drivers of success in an era defined by innovation, sustainability, and leadership. Together, let’s imagine a future where optimism reigns supreme and bold ideas pave the way toward a brighter, more sustainable world for all.
Listen on:
Episodes
Episodes
Tuesday Feb 21, 2023
Tuesday Feb 21, 2023
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
Tuesday Jan 17, 2023
Tuesday Jan 17, 2023
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.
Tuesday Dec 20, 2022
Tuesday Dec 20, 2022
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
Tuesday Nov 29, 2022
Tuesday Nov 29, 2022
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
Friday Sep 16, 2022
Friday Sep 16, 2022
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
Monday Jul 18, 2022
Monday Jul 18, 2022
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
Thursday Jun 30, 2022
Thursday Jun 30, 2022
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
Monday May 16, 2022
Monday May 16, 2022
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
Monday May 02, 2022
Monday May 02, 2022
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
Thursday Apr 21, 2022
Thursday Apr 21, 2022
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
The Optimistic Outlook
The national conversation surrounding America’s infrastructure has focused on how to fix it and fund it. In The Optimistic Outlook podcast, Siemens USA CEO Barbara Humpton looks deeper, focusing on how reinventing infrastructure can help address societal challenges.