Abby Hopper spent nearly a decade leading the solar industry’s most influential advocacy organization — and now, she’s stepping into a new chapter.In this episode of the Scientista Podcast, Dr. Sweta Chakraborty sit down with Abby to reflect on her path from big-law attorney to clean-energy leader, and the turning points that reshaped her career along the way. She shares how becoming a mother of three young kids forced a major pivot, what she learned about navigating demanding industries as a woman, and why leaving at the top isn’t a retreat — it’s a choice to grow.Abby also talks about the culture shift she’s helped drive in clean energy, the work still ahead, and how she’s approaching a future that’s wide open.Thank you for listening! Learn more about Scientista here: www.scientista.world

<description>&lt;p&gt;Abby Hopper spent nearly a decade leading the solar industry’s most influential advocacy organization — and now, she’s stepping into a new chapter.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;In this episode of the Scientista Podcast, Dr. Sweta Chakraborty sit down with Abby to reflect on her path from big-law attorney to clean-energy leader, and the turning points that reshaped her career along the way. She shares how becoming a mother of three young kids forced a major pivot, what she learned about navigating demanding industries as a woman, and why leaving at the top isn’t a retreat — it’s a choice to grow.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Abby also talks about the culture shift she’s helped drive in clean energy, the work still ahead, and how she’s approaching a future that’s wide open.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Thank you for listening! Learn more about Scientista here: www.scientista.world&lt;/p&gt;</description>

Abby Hopper spent nearly a decade leading the solar industry’s most influential advocacy organization — and now, she’s stepping into a new chapter. In this episode of the Scientista Podcast, Dr. Sweta Chakraborty sit down with Abby to reflect on her path from big-law attorney to clean-energy leader, and the turning points that reshaped her career along the way. She shares how becoming a mother of three young kids forced a major pivot, what she learned about navigating demanding industries as ...

Abby Hopper on What Comes Next After Nine Years as D.C.’s Top Solar Lobbyist 

Ann Drake and MarySue Barrett are creating the Women’s Leadership Center at Williams Bay, a new hub where women leading in technology, infrastructure, business, and space can come together to tackle real-world challenges. They join Sweta and Monica to talk about the power of convening women, the importance of building networks early, and why evidence-driven solutions must lead the way.Thank you for listening! Learn more about Scientista here: www.scientista.world

<description>&lt;p&gt;Ann Drake and MarySue Barrett are creating the Women’s Leadership Center at Williams Bay, a new hub where women leading in technology, infrastructure, business, and space can come together to tackle real-world challenges. They join Sweta and Monica to talk about the power of convening women, the importance of building networks early, and why evidence-driven solutions must lead the way.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Thank you for listening! Learn more about Scientista here: www.scientista.world&lt;/p&gt;</description>

Ann Drake and MarySue Barrett are creating the Women’s Leadership Center at Williams Bay, a new hub where women leading in technology, infrastructure, business, and space can come together to tackle real-world challenges. They join Sweta and Monica to talk about the power of convening women, the importance of building networks early, and why evidence-driven solutions must lead the way. Thank you for listening! Learn more about Scientista here: www.scientista.world 

Building a Place Where Women Lead the Future

In this episode, Dr. Sweta Chakraborty and Monica Medina sit down with Dr. M. Sanjayan—ecologist, award-winning storyteller, and former CEO of Conservation International—for a conversation about what it takes to lead in one of the toughest, most important sectors on earth.Sanjayan reflects on a childhood spent exploring the forests of Sierra Leone, the scientific rigor that shaped his career, and the mentors who opened doors when traditional pathways were limited. He also gives straight talk on today’s biggest conservation challenges—from the destabilizing impact of foreign-aid cuts to the urgent need for financial models that value nature as infrastructure, not afterthought.For emerging scientists and conservationists, his advice is both practical and energizing: build real scientific depth, find mentors who advocate for you, and keep the joy and curiosity that brought you into this work in the first place.Thank you for listening! Learn more about Scientista here: www.scientista.world

<description>&lt;p&gt;In this episode, Dr. Sweta Chakraborty and Monica Medina sit down with Dr. M. Sanjayan—ecologist, award-winning storyteller, and former CEO of Conservation International—for a conversation about what it takes to lead in one of the toughest, most important sectors on earth.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Sanjayan reflects on a childhood spent exploring the forests of Sierra Leone, the scientific rigor that shaped his career, and the mentors who opened doors when traditional pathways were limited. He also gives straight talk on today’s biggest conservation challenges—from the destabilizing impact of foreign-aid cuts to the urgent need for financial models that value nature as infrastructure, not afterthought.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;For emerging scientists and conservationists, his advice is both practical and energizing: build real scientific depth, find mentors who advocate for you, and keep the joy and curiosity that brought you into this work in the first place.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Thank you for listening! Learn more about Scientista here: www.scientista.world&lt;/p&gt;</description>

In this episode, Dr. Sweta Chakraborty and Monica Medina sit down with Dr. M. Sanjayan—ecologist, award-winning storyteller, and former CEO of Conservation International—for a conversation about what it takes to lead in one of the toughest, most important sectors on earth. Sanjayan reflects on a childhood spent exploring the forests of Sierra Leone, the scientific rigor that shaped his career, and the mentors who opened doors when traditional pathways were limited. He also gives straight talk...

After Conservation International: M. Sanjayan on Pivots, Purpose, and the Future of Conservation

This episode is part of our Best Of the Scientista Podcast series, where we revisit some of our most impactful conversations.Jennifer Klein, Professor of Professional Practice at Columbia SIPA and former Director of the White House Gender Policy Council, joins the Scientista Podcast to reflect on the fight for the 28th Amendment, the global backlash against gender equality, and what it meant to be the first person to say “menopause” in the Oval Office. Drawing on her experience shaping gender policy at the highest levels of government, Klein speaks candidly about what progress really looks like, the persistence required to advance equity, and why showing up still matters. A powerful conversation at the intersection of policy, leadership, and gender justice.Thank you for listening! Learn more about Scientista here: www.scientista.world

<description>&lt;p&gt;This episode is part of our &lt;em&gt;Best Of the Scientista Podcast&lt;/em&gt; series, where we revisit some of our most impactful conversations.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Jennifer Klein, Professor of Professional Practice at Columbia SIPA and former Director of the White House Gender Policy Council, joins the Scientista Podcast to reflect on the fight for the 28th Amendment, the global backlash against gender equality, and what it meant to be the first person to say “menopause” in the Oval Office. Drawing on her experience shaping gender policy at the highest levels of government, Klein speaks candidly about what progress really looks like, the persistence required to advance equity, and why showing up still matters. A powerful conversation at the intersection of policy, leadership, and gender justice.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Thank you for listening! Learn more about Scientista here: www.scientista.world&lt;/p&gt;</description>

This episode is part of our Best Of the Scientista Podcast series, where we revisit some of our most impactful conversations. Jennifer Klein, Professor of Professional Practice at Columbia SIPA and former Director of the White House Gender Policy Council, joins the Scientista Podcast to reflect on the fight for the 28th Amendment, the global backlash against gender equality, and what it meant to be the first person to say “menopause” in the Oval Office. Drawing on her experience shaping gende...

Best Of: Menopause in the Oval Office

“AI will tell you to walk across the English Channel… it’s not intelligent. It is pattern recognition.”NRDC Chief Science Officer Dr. Ticora Jones joins the Scientista Podcast for one of our most candid conversations yet.Dr. Jones talks about what AI really is (and isn’t), the collapse of USAID under Trump’s second term, why global development work depends on genuine collaboration—not American saviorism—and how she helps her own organization slow down and learn together instead of getting swept up in hype.She also shares why she wants her seven-year-old daughter to grow up grounded in a sense of “I can,” how community sustains women and women of color in science, and why finding your people is essential when the world feels chaotic.If you care about science, public trust, or how we rebuild institutions that matter, this conversation is for you.Thank you for listening! Learn more about Scientista here: www.scientista.world

<description>&lt;p&gt;“AI will tell you to walk across the English Channel… it’s not intelligent. It is pattern recognition.”&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;NRDC Chief Science Officer Dr. Ticora Jones joins the Scientista Podcast for one of our most candid conversations yet.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Dr. Jones talks about what AI &lt;em&gt;really&lt;/em&gt; is (and isn’t), the collapse of USAID under Trump’s second term, why global development work depends on genuine collaboration—not American saviorism—and how she helps her own organization slow down and learn together instead of getting swept up in hype.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;She also shares why she wants her seven-year-old daughter to grow up grounded in a sense of “I can,” how community sustains women and women of color in science, and why finding your people is essential when the world feels chaotic.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;If you care about science, public trust, or how we rebuild institutions that matter, this conversation is for you.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Thank you for listening! Learn more about Scientista here: www.scientista.world&lt;/p&gt;</description>

“AI will tell you to walk across the English Channel… it’s not intelligent. It is pattern recognition.” NRDC Chief Science Officer Dr. Ticora Jones joins the Scientista Podcast for one of our most candid conversations yet. Dr. Jones talks about what AI really is (and isn’t), the collapse of USAID under Trump’s second term, why global development work depends on genuine collaboration—not American saviorism—and how she helps her own organization slow down and learn together instead of getting s...

“AI Will Tell You to Walk Across the English Channel”: Dr. Ticora Jones on Science, Power & Public Trust

The Scientista Podcast spotlights women (and allies!) reshaping business, politics, and culture. Hosted by behavioral scientist Dr. Sweta Chakraborty and former Assistant Secretary of State Monica Medina, this show brings you candid conversations with changemakers and thought leaders from around the world. Subscribe for behind-the-scenes stories of how some of today’s most inspiring leaders have faced challenges, made tough calls, and turned vision into real-world impact.

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