Nicole Neeman Brady is a real standout in the world of water. An entrepreneur, an intrapreneur fund manager, mentor to countless emerging water professionals, she has packed a lot into her time in the sector. She's currently a managing director with Renewable Resources Group, where she oversaw the raising and deployment of the $927 million sustainable Water Impact Fund, the largest of its kind ever. She is also a public servant of considerable standing, having just left the board of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, which is the largest municipality in the US with an annual operating budget of $7.5 billion. And she previously served on the Colorado River Board of California. As you will hear, she's a deeply smart, generous, and reflective person with a fascinating career. Please enjoy my conversation with Nicole Neeman Brady. 

Subscribe to The Fundamental Molecule here: https://www.burntislandventures.com/the-fundamental-molecule

For the full show notes, transcript, and links to mentioned content, check out the episode page here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-fundamental-molecule/id1714287205

-----------

Nicole shares details from her transformative journey from early days at high-profile firms like McKinsey and Goldman Sachs to her pivotal role in pioneering distributed water treatment solutions. She discusses the challenges and strategies in water management amid climate change, the complexities of board governance, and the impact of strategic decisions on environmental sustainability. Throughout the episode, Nicole offers insights into water rights investing, the dynamics of the SPAC market, and the crucial role of storytelling in advocating for environmental issues.

Episode Highlights:

0:00 Start

0:49 Introduction

2:00 Nicole’s journey to the water sector

6:35 The Renewable Resources Group (RRG)

9:16 Fundraising around water

11:54 Investing in water rights

14:37 SPAC markets

19:11 Serving on the LADWP board

22:55 Running an effective board

27:09 The role of a board Chair

29:30 Nicole’s perspective on MBAs and YPO

32:49 The future of water as an investable area

35:16 Communicating the water story

Links:

Burnt Island Ventures:  https://www.burntislandventures.com/

Nicole Neeman Brady:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/neemanbrady/

Quotes:

“I saw the critical need for innovative solutions in water management.”

“It can be a tremendous and clear opportunity to find a way to monetize water, to make investments in the sector while addressing water security challenges and really promoting sustainable and environmental good practices.”

"My water journey…really began with a deep fascination and passion for sustainability and resource management."

"We wanted to focus on distributed water treatment, really under the thesis that much like the energy sector, water too would move from large scale projects to more distributed solutions."

"I think there's been a much more notable recognition of the climate change's impact on water sources and their lack of durability and resiliency."

“We have to embrace storytelling as a strategic priority.”

“If you feel like you're drowning in problems, there's always a solution waiting to be distilled.”