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.
Episodes
Episodes



Monday Jul 18, 2022
Accelerating America’s electric future
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
Platform Revolution
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
Reversing infrastructure’s legacy of inequality
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
United Airlines CEO on sustainable aviation
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
Barbara with President Biden
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



Tuesday Apr 05, 2022
Inside a new EV charging breakthrough
Tuesday Apr 05, 2022
Tuesday Apr 05, 2022
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



Friday Mar 18, 2022
Supply Chain Part 2: What is trusted traceability?
Friday Mar 18, 2022
Friday Mar 18, 2022
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/



Monday Feb 07, 2022
Supply Chain Part 1: Solving the chips shortage
Monday Feb 07, 2022
Monday Feb 07, 2022
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/



Saturday Jan 29, 2022
The brainwaves behind better leadership
Saturday Jan 29, 2022
Saturday Jan 29, 2022
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/



Tuesday Jan 11, 2022
Intro to 2022 season
Tuesday Jan 11, 2022
Tuesday Jan 11, 2022
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.

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.