Age of Adoption

What if the biggest barrier to the energy transition isn't generation or demand — but the invisible infrastructure layer connecting them? Lisa Magnuson has spent two decades at the intersection of utilities and technology, focused on one core challenge: how to turn complex infrastructure into real-world adoption. From her early years as the first marketing hire at Silver Spring Networks — helping large utilities adopt smart grid networking through a successful IPO — to a front-row seat at PG&E, she has watched the industry evolve from within. Now at Landis+Gyr, she is focused on the next phase of the transition: enabling a more intelligent, responsive grid through real-time data, connectivity, and grid-edge innovation.

How does an engineering company balance profit with purpose while transforming the food system? Jill Meiburg, Head of Group Communications and Brand at GEA Group, shares how the 143-year-old German industrial equipment leader is tackling humanity's greatest challenge: feeding 10 billion people by 2050 while achieving net zero by 2040. With 25 years in corporate communications across Deutsche Telecom and logistics giants, Jill now leads the narrative for a company processing every fourth package of pasta and every third chicken nugget globally. "We're not out there just to save the planet. We're out there to make money on this," she explains, highlighting GEA's Mission 30 strategy targeting 60% sustainable solution revenue. The company made headlines by becoming one of the first to implement "Say on Climate" shareholder voting, passing with an impressive 98.5% approval.

Could retrofitting existing diesel fleets be faster than waiting for electric alternatives? Paul Gross, CEO and co-founder of Remora, joins the podcast to discuss his company's revolutionary approach to mobile carbon capture technology. At just 28, Gross has raised $60 million to retrofit semi-trucks and locomotives with systems that capture up to 90% of CO2 emissions. Unlike traditional electrification efforts that struggle with heavy-duty transport, Remora's solution works with existing diesel fleets. "We wanted to take carbon capture from being this big over budget construction project to being this product that can be manufactured over and over again," Gross explains. The company turns captured CO2 into beverage-grade liquid carbon dioxide, addressing surprising market shortages. Can retrofitting existing transportation infrastructure accelerate decarbonization faster than waiting for full fleet replacement?

What happens when grid power can't keep up with AI's appetite for energy, and how are construction leaders innovating around this crisis? As Vice President of Sustainability at Clayco, Alana Spencer oversaw decarbonization across 100+ projects annually, including 57 active data centers totaling three gigawatts of capacity, focusing on the intersection of AI infrastructure growth and climate goals. Today she is a Co-Founder and Managing Partner at Alma Environmental Partners, supporting the built environment and organization on their sustainability journeys. Spencer argues that "passion alone cannot get you there" in sustainability work—you need technical expertise to create business cases and implement solutions at scale.

Chris Pennington is Director of Energy and Sustainability for Iron Mountain Data Centers, leading the charge toward 24/7 carbon-free energy by 2040. How did a college student looking for part-time work become a global energy strategy pioneer? His story perfectly illustrates the evolution of corporate sustainability thinking—from operational efficiency to industry-wide decarbonization.

Phil Radford, President and CEO of Consumer Reports, brings a unique perspective to consumer advocacy, combining decades of environmental activism with rigorous product testing. From his early days fighting waste incinerators in Chicago to leading Greenpeace and increasing their revenue by 233%, Phil has consistently worked to create market conditions that favor sustainable products. At Consumer Reports, he's pioneering new testing methodologies for electric vehicles, battery safety, and charging infrastructure to help consumers make informed decisions about green technology.

In this episode of Age of Adoption, recorded on Earth Day 2025, host Keith Zakheim speaks with Breana Wheeler, Director of Operations for BREEAM USA, about the critical role of certification in decarbonizing the built environment. Wheeler shares how BREEAM, the world's first science-based validation standard for sustainable building performance, has evolved since its 1990 inception to address not only carbon mitigation but also climate resilience and adaptation. With buildings contributing nearly 40% of global carbon emissions, Wheeler explains how BREEAM's standards help asset owners manage climate risk while maintaining building value.

In this episode of the Age of Adoption podcast, host Keith Zakheim welcomes Duncan Meisel, Executive Director of Clean Creatives, an organization challenging PR and advertising agencies to reject fossil fuel clients. Drawing from his background in climate NGO communications, Duncan has pioneered a global movement to eliminate ties between creative agencies and fossil fuel companies. The conversation explores how Clean Creatives provides a pledge for agencies and brands, targets those working with polluters, and confronts the conflicts of interest that arise when agencies serve both sustainability-focused clients and fossil fuel companies simultaneously.