Dana Vazquez

What is your area of focus? What are your post-MBA career goals?

I am concentrating in energy and entrepreneurship. I will be working at Cisco Systems in their FLEX Rising Leaders program, with a focus on sustainability and governance. 

How would you describe ClimateCAP, and why did you attend?

Every year, MBAs gather at ClimateCAP to learn, discuss and collaborate on various issues at the intersection of climate and business. I love connecting with other MBAs and have found that ClimateCAP is one of my favorite events in business school! When I was coming for my MBA, I would see people in my network attending the conference and thought it looked like a great way to build my own expertise. 

Who were this year’s notable speakers? What are some of your key takeaways?

There were many incredible speakers — but I have to say the ESG workshop with Professor Jerry Davis was a definite highlight! I loved his energy, wisdom and generosity. I also really enjoyed the fireside chat with Donnel Baird, founder and CEO at BlocPower. 

What ideas relating to your career did ClimateCAP spark?

I loved the discussion on “First of a Kind” (FOAK) technologies and how to finance their scaling efforts through non-dilutive funds. We heard from some incredible experts in this space, including Tadeu Carneiro, CEO of Boston Metal, and Terry Grant, vice chairman at Marathon Capital. It felt encouraging to hear these experts talk about the importance of FOAK technologies and how we can move them forward. 

Aside from ClimateCAP, how else can Rice Business students engage with climate action and sustainability efforts?

Houston is an incredible space to explore topics around climate, cleantech, the energy transition and more. With great organizations like Greentown Labs, Center for Houston’s Future, and the Renewable Energy Alliance Houston, there’s plenty of opportunity to tap into our local community of best-in-class experts. I encourage everyone to get involved in local efforts however they can. For example, I am on the Houston Clean City Commission, where I can support their mission to beautify, reduce litter and provide recycling education in and around Houston.

How can ClimateCAP discussions be applied to entrepreneurship and business in Houston?

We have an incredible technical community here in Houston. With many FOAK technologies being developed in large organizations, in schools and throughout the broader community, we can and should support entrepreneurs trying to scale climate technologies that can solve important problems.