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I am an Investment Associate at the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center, where I invest in and manage a portfolio of enterprise and consumer-facing companies in the clean energy industry. I enjoy being an active, hands-on investor, working alongside and supporting management teams as needed. In this capacity, I serve as a board member, observer, or advisor for several early-stage cleantech companies. I have worked to support clean technology startups since 2014 and actively contribute to Boston’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. I am a member of the MIT Enterprise Forum Cleantech Committee and serve as a reviewer or mentor for programs including NSF, MassChallenge, MIT delta v, Cleantech Open, and MassVentures. Relevance to energy transition: I invest only in clean energy startups. "Clean energy" for me/MassCEC can include next generation renewables, efficient mobility, grid resilience, sustainable buildings, industrial efficiency, and water-energy nexus. I focus on B2B companies with innovative hard tech (hardware or software), and those with new business models, that can help accelerate the adoption and diffusion of clean energy. Career trajectory: It’s been an unexpected road; I never thought I would wind up in venture capital. I first thought I wanted to be an impact practitioner (BA in peace and conflict studies and geography, MSc in International Development: Environment and Development). Then I thought I wanted to be an academic (PhD and MA in geography), taught for a few years, but decided I wanted my work to be more applied, and pivoted my research to focus on clean energy, which I have always cared deeply about. Through this work I researched innovation resources like incubators and accelerators, and got hooked on the entrepreneurial atmosphere. I left academia to grow and run the Worcester Cleantech Incubator (WCTI) and then became the Director of Cleantech Open Northeast, a global accelerator for early-stage clean technology startup companies. While in that role I was told that I would be great at VC – a profession that requires critical thought, analysis, and the soft skills associated with consulting and networking. I saw an open role at MassCEC and the rest is history.
Julie Ferland
General Manager — Shell TechWorks
Shell is highly engaged and committed to delivering more and cleaner energy to the world, a commitment that we get the opportunity to work on every day at Shell TechWorks. I feel privileged to lead a team that makes a real impact in the energy industry. I am fortunate to have had seemingly very diverse positions come my way throughout my career that have shaped not just my resume, but also my way of thinking and ambition to do more. I did not expect to become a Navy Diver or to work in the energy industry, but decided to take a chance on interesting opportunities when they emerged. Although some moves have seemed illogical, they have each provided tremendous challenge and learning which got me to where I am now.
Kate Fichter
Assistant Secretary — Massachusetts Department of Transportation
Francis O'Sullivan
Senior Vice President, Strategy — Lincoln Clean Energy
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