Awarepreneurs

Bio: Riley Neugebauer is a licensed residential electrician and solar tradeswoman based in Colorado. She works as a technical trainer with Unirac, a solar racking manufacturer, and founded a non-profit, Solar for Women, to help create community, training opportunities, and advocacy for solar tradeswomen across the U.S. 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: Solar for Women group Paul's Strategy Sessions Pitch an Awarepreneurs episode

BIO: Brian Thompson is the Founder and Financial Planner of Brian Thompson Financial LLC, where he helps LGBTQ+ and mission-driven entrepreneurs build profitable businesses that reflect who they are and support the impact they want to make. As a financial advisor, business strategist, and host of the Mission Driven Business podcast, Brian works with service-based founders who are building more than just a business. They're building movements, communities, and legacies. He helps them bring clarity and structure to their finances so they can grow with confidence and stay rooted in their purpose. Before launching his firm, Brian spent nearly a decade as a tax attorney. That background, paired with his own entrepreneurial experience, informs a planning approach that's inclusive, strategic, and grounded in real life. As a Black, queer financial advisor, Brian is especially passionate about creating space for diverse voices in business and finance—and showing that profit and purpose don't have to be mutually exclusive. 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: Brian's site Brian's podcast 6 Steps to Getting Clear on your Ideal Client Paul's Fractional Services Pitch an Awarepreneurs episode

Clark is an Albuquerque native and the state investment officer for the New Mexico State Investment Council, which manages a $67 billion portfolio—one of the nation's three largest sovereign wealth funds and on track to become the largest within 5–7 years. The SIC's returns are projected to surpass oil and gas as the biggest contributor to the state's general fund by 2043 and already provide over a quarter of K–12 funding and more than three-quarters of early childhood funding. Jon is committed to strengthening New Mexico's entrepreneurial ecosystem, and the SIC has invested $1.7 billion in New Mexico-focused venture funds over the last three years, fueling growth in advanced energy, deep tech, and aerospace and defense. These investments aim to attract billions more, create thousands of high-quality jobs, and elevate the state's standard of living. Before joining the SIC in 2024, Jon served as deputy and acting secretary of the New Mexico Economic Development Department, where he launched the Office of Entrepreneurship. He previously spent seven years with the Legislative Finance Committee as a fiscal analyst and chief economist, worked with the New Mexico Partnership on job recruitment, and supported technology commercialization at Sandia and Los Alamos National Laboratories. He holds an MBA in finance and marketing from UNM's Anderson School and enjoys outdoor recreation across New Mexico. 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: New Mexico State Investment Council site Article on Sentate Bill 26 Rebeca Puck Stair Awarepreneurs intervew Rep. Meredith Dixon Awarepreneurs interview Paul's Fractional Services Pitch an Awarepreneurs episode

What if the path to climate resilience was not found in glass and steel — but in earth, craft, and community? This is just one of the provocative questions we explored with Daniel Parra on the latest Awarepreneurs podcast episode, hosted by our very own Paul Zelizer. Bio: Daniel Parra is a Colombian architect and was born in Soccorro, Santander - a small town with a rich history. He is the leader of the Rammed Earth Collective, an international design–build collaborative advancing earthen architecture. His practice blends traditional tapia pisada with contemporary design to create low-carbon, place-rooted buildings. Through Ciudad Insecto Estudio and Rammed Earth Colombia, Daniel designs, documents, and teaches earthen construction across Latin America. His work focuses on craft, climate resilience, and dignified housing that grows from the colors and soils of each site. This episode is sponsored by the consulting company of the host, Paul Zelizer. Consider Fractional Business Development Services if you can use support growing your impact business. Resources mentioned in this episode include: Rammed Earth Collective site Daniel Parra on LinkedIn Paul's Fractional Services Pitch an Awarepreneurs episode

Bio: John E. Harmon, Sr. is the Founder, President, and CEO of the African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey (AACCNJ), the state's leading organization advocating for Black-owned businesses and economic empowerment. A former chairman of the National Black Chamber of Commerce and a current board member of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Harmon has spent more than 27 years building bridges between government, corporate leaders, and entrepreneurs to advance equity and opportunity. He is the host of the award-winning Pathway to Success TV show and The Empowerment Hour radio program, and author of Power Moves: The Life and Legacy of a Black Chamber Executive. 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: African American Chamber of Commerce of NJ site Power Moves book John E. Harmon on LinkedIn Paul's Strategy Sessions Pitch an Awarepreneurs episode

Bio: Jim Fruchterman is a leading social entrepreneur, author, MacArthur Fellow, recipient of the Skoll Award for Social Entrepreneurship, and Distinguished Alumnus of Caltech. After starting two successful for-profit AI companies, he went on to found Benetech, the award-winning tech nonprofit, building tools for people with disabilities and human rights defenders document and analyze abuses. His current nonprofit projects at Tech Matters include Aselo, a shared modern contact center for the crisis response field; Terraso, software for the people on the front line of the climate crisis; and the Better Deal for Data, a data governance reform movement. 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: Benetech site Bookshare site Aselo site Terrasoul site Tech for Good book Paul's Strategy Sessions Pitch an Awarepreneurs episode

Lawrence Chavez is a passionate innovator focused on meaningful innovation. Lawrence has been on both sides of the table and understands the demands of the investor and the needs of the founder. Most recently as CEO & Founder of EveryDay Contacts. Previously, Lawrence co-founded Lotus Leaf Coatings, an advanced materials company in 2011. Prior to 2011 he served as a Venture Partner with Flywheel Ventures and managed the NM Gap Fund I, a seed investment fund, as well as serving as Interim CFO at Astria Semiconductor. Lawrence also served on the boards of ABQid Fund I and Arrowhead Innovation Fund, both focused on seed and early stage investing in New Mexico. 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: EP 354 with Rep. Andrea Romero on New Mexico's Permanent Fund Lawrence on LinkedIn Scarcity, Abundance & New Mexico's Permanent Fund: Part I Scarcity, Abundance & New Mexico's Permanent Fund: Part II Scarcity, Abundance & New Mexico's Permanent Fund: Part III LawrenceChavez.com Paul's Strategy Sessions Pitch an Awarepreneurs episode

Anthony Fleg is a family medicine physician at UNM in the Department of Family and Community Medicine. Originally from Baltimore, Anthony grounds his healing work in undoing racism, health equity, movement as medicine, and with a focus on strengths and holistic health. He co-founded the Native Health Initiative (NHI) and its Running Medicine program, a unique approach to wellness through movement. He is a proud father of 4 children, an avid runner, and is about to release his second book, "Writing to Heal: The Journey Continues." 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: Running Medicine site Native Health Initiative What is founders syndrome? NM Tech Talks site Dr. Fleg's email Paul's Strategy Sessions Pitch an Awarepreneurs episode