Awarepreneurs

In a political climate that is more partisan and polarized than ever, the idea of working together for the common good seems impossible. State Representative Meredith Dixon has a different view. Her approach - one which is focused on bringing people together - is getting results for the people of Albuquerque and all of New Mexico. Rep. Dixon is one of the founders of New Mexico Women Lead, the organization that sponsors the Building an Advanced Energy Ecosystem conference. This year it takes place on September 15-16 at the Sandia Resort & Casino near Albuquerque, NM.

Rudy Parra is a Mechatronics & Lab Technician at GridFlow, where he supports the development of next-generation lithium-sulfur flow batteries. He specializes in IoT integration, rapid prototyping, and lab operations, helping bridge the gap between R&D and real-world energy solutions. With a background in robotics and automation, Rudy is passionate about building systems that are efficient, scalable, and safe for the grid of tomorrow.

This episode is sponsored by the coaching company of the host, Paul Zelizer. Consider a Strategy Session if you can use support growing your impact business.

Resources mentioned in this episode include:

• Rudy Parra on LinkedIn

• CNM Ingenuity Deep Dive Bootcamps

• GridFlow site

• NM Tech Talks site

• Atomic 66 site

• Techqueria New Mexico

• NMClimate on LinkedIn

• Black in Tech site

• VetsinTech site

• Rubber Ducks NM on LinkedIn

• Paul's Strategy Sessions

• Pitch an Awarepreneurs episode

Dr. David Gruder is a Corporate Counsel who is a 12-award-winning multi-bestselling clinical and organizational psychologist. As an Executive Team Orchestrator and Culture Catalyst, he makes integrity profitable by equipping socially responsible businesses with missing mindsets, skillsets, and procedures to actualize their unique calling in helping humanity's most elevated future emerge. As President of Integrity Culture Systems™ and director of the Center for Enlightened Self-Sovereignty™, he provides keynotes, training programs, executive consulting, writing, and media interviews. He also hosts the "Reimagining Humanity's Future and Yours" show. His main website is DrGruder.com. This episode is sponsored by the coaching company of the host, Paul Zelizer. Consider a Strategy Session if you can use support growing your impact business.

Resources mentioned in this episode include:

• Dr. David Gruder's site

• Reimaging Humanity's Future show

• Dr. David Gruder's books

• Article on the Transformation Economy

• David Gruder on Linkedin

• Paul's Strategy Sessions

• Pitch an Awarepreneurs episode

Former attorney turned space advocate, Bryce Kennedy is the Executive Director of SpaceValley Foundation and Space Connectivity Officer under the International Telecommunication Union and UN. He works with emerging economies to ensure that they have a place in space.

This episode is sponsored by the coaching company of the host, Paul Zelizer. Consider a Strategy Session if you can use support growing your impact business.

Resources mentioned in this episode include:

• SpaceValley Foundation site

• International Telecommunication UnionSunrun solar

• AI for Good initiative

• New Space Nexus

• Space Force

• Owen Barrett on LinkedIn

• White Sands Test Facility

• New Mexico Space Trail

• Q Station

• Atomic 66

• Bryce Kennedy on Linkedin

• Paul's Strategy Sessions

• Pitch an Awarepreneurs episode

Owen, a former Global Energy Manager at a Fortune 500 company, implemented $60M in clean technology before founding lumeo, a niche ESCO that hit eight figures in three years. After a successful exit, he launched ZNE Capital to decarbonize commercial real estate, acquiring 654 units worth $75M. Frustrated by solar deployment challenges, he founded Shine—now a leading turnkey solar solution for multifamily properties. Shine is set to decarbonize 200,000 apartment units with onsite solar by 2030, accelerating clean energy adoption where it's needed most.

This episode is sponsored by the coaching company of the host, Paul Zelizer. Consider a Strategy Session if you can use support growing your impact business.

Resources mentioned in this episode include:

• ZNE Capital site

• Shine Multifamily Solar

• Sunrun solar

• Garmin Connect+ controversy

• Positive Energy Solar interview

• AI usage stats

• Owen Barrett on LinkedIn

• Paul's Strategy Sessions

• Pitch an Awarepreneurs episode

Sona Khosla, Chief Impact Officer at Benevity, has worked with mission-driven organizations for over 15 years. As Chief Impact Officer, she is responsible for infusing impact into Benevity's business and culture and overseeing the company's own impact and inclusion initiatives. At the helm of Benevity Impact Labs, an incubator and resource hub, Sona and her team bring cutting-edge data, research, insights and best practices to help organizations and individuals maximize their impact and authentically live their purpose. As the host of Benevity's podcast, Speaking of Purpose, she interviews top ESG, impact, culture, DEI&B leaders who are focused on using business as a force for good.

This episode is sponsored by the coaching company of the host, Paul Zelizer. Consider a Strategy Session if you can use support growing your impact business.

Resources mentioned in this episode include:

• Benevity site

• Speaking of Purpose podcast

• Positive Energy Solar interview

• Target boycott article

• Paul's Strategy Sessions

• Pitch an Awarepreneurs episode

Benjamin Gardner is the Chief Executive Officer of Dekker Designs and a working principal of the D/P/S commercial group, Benjamin is dedicated to improving the built environment using skills acquired from combined backgrounds in architecture, construction, and construction management. Benjamin has been with Dekker/Perich/Sabatini since 2001, and has led multiple project teams through all phases of planning, design, and construction administration. His years with D/P/S have given him a breadth of project experience that informs his unique understanding of the issues faced by developers, educators, and the communities in which the firm does business.

Benjamin also has a long history of developing his family-owned properties, including hotels, a Montessori preschool and elementary academy that serves over 200 students, which he co-founded with his wife. They have recently developed a 78 bed senior living facility that is adjacent to the schools and it provides an intergenerational experiences for both seniors and students. His background provides him with a clear understanding of commercial real estate development, including mixed-use, retail, and civic properties.

This episode is sponsored by the coaching company of the host, Paul Zelizer. Consider a Strategy Session if you can use support growing your impact business.

Resources mentioned in this episode include:

• Dekker Design site

• LEED Certification

• What is an Employee Stock Ownership Plan?

• Positive Energy Solar Awarepreneurs Interview (ESOP company)

• Central New Mexico Community College

• Paul's Strategy Sessions

• Pitch an Awarepreneurs episode

Once called a "unicorn" for her entrepreneurial approach, Vicki Apodaca is a seasoned marketer, entrepreneur, and philanthropist. Vicki has been a founding member of several tech startups (Phalanx, StellarFi, Joust, and Soply), and have also been through two exits (Joust acquired by ZenBusiness, Starship HSA acquired by Optum). Her passion in go-to-market and marketing strategy has led her to now be a Fractional CMO and Advisor across several startups worldwide. A native Burqueña, Vicki co-founded the New Mexico chapter of Techqueria – a Latinx in tech 501(3)(c) nonprofit – and NMClimate – a community for climate and energy-focused entrepreneurs. She lives in a cozy home with her partner and two Pekingese who run their house.

• NM Lottery Program

• FiatVentures Advisors site

• Phalanx site

• Techqueria New Mexic0 site

• Atomic 66 site

• Q Station site

• SpaceValley Foundation site

• CNM Ingenuity site

• nDigitize site

• Vicki on LinkedIn

Paul Zelizer is the host of the Awarepreneurs Podcast, the world's longest running social entrepreneur podcast, and has been a Business Coach who specializes in working with social entrepreneurs and climate tech founders for the past 18 years. This episode is sponsored by the coaching company of the host, Paul Zelizer. Consider a Strategy Session if you can use support growing your impact business.

Resources mentioned in this episode include:

• Market research episode

• NMClimate newsletter

• Four Corners Clean Tech Accelerator

• Paul's Strategy Sessions

• Pitch an Awarepreneurs episode

Manuela Guzmán is the Head of Network at Top Tier Impact (TTI), a global ecosystem of 600+ investors, founders, and corporates dedicated to solving the world's most pressing challenges. She leads TTI's network strategy, fostering high-impact connections that drive investments, deal flow, and partnerships across key hubs like London, New York, San Francisco, Paris, Singapore, Bali, and Dubai. A systems thinker with a strategic and creative approach, she excels at simplifying complexity and enabling collaboration. Passionate about sustainability, regeneration, and conscious leadership, Manuela is committed to scaling solutions that create a more equitable and thriving world.

• Top Tier Impact site

• Nomads Giving Back site

• Alyssa Berg, Top Tier Impact Founder

• Top Tier Impact events

• Manuela Guzman on LinkedIn