Chief Change Officer Podcast: Episode #186 with Irina Filippova
Host: Vince Chan
Guest: Irina Filippova, COO and Co-Founder of an Energy Transition Company Backed by BlackRock
Release Date: February 19, 2025
Introduction
In Episode #186 of the Chief Change Officer podcast, host Vince Chan engages in an insightful conversation with Irina Filippova, the Chief Operating Officer and Co-Founder of a pioneering energy transition company supported by BlackRock. The episode delves into Irina’s remarkable journey from her roots in diplomacy in Russia to her current role in driving decarbonization efforts in the United States. Throughout the discussion, Irina shares her experiences, philosophies on courageous leadership, and her vision for transforming the energy and transportation sectors.
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Irina Filippova’s story begins in Moscow, where she was born into a family led by a nuclear scientist. Despite her father’s involvement in the energy sector, Irina’s passion lay elsewhere—specifically in languages and international relations. Her desire to engage with diverse cultures and understand global dynamics led her to pursue a career in diplomacy.
Notable Quote:
"[...] I was interested in languages. And when the time came to choose a career, I truly wanted a career that would expose me to different cultures and the way the world works."
— Irina Filippova [00:00]
Irina successfully entered the prestigious Moscow State Institute for International Relations, breaking gender norms in a field traditionally dominated by men. Her diplomatic career saw her working with a UN think tank focused on peace and conflict resolution in New York City for five years. However, the dynamic world of international relations only fueled her hunger for more substantial and impactful challenges.
Transition to Business and Energy Sector
Seeking to blend her diplomatic experience with business acumen, Irina pursued an MBA at the Yale School of Management. Her time at Yale was transformative, allowing her to articulate her vision of making a societal impact through business. It was during her MBA that she met Vince Chan, marking the beginning of their long-standing professional relationship.
Notable Quote:
"[...] I wanted to make a difference for society, for global society, as it were. But I also was interested in the mechanic of the business in terms of solving some of the challenges that we're facing."
— Irina Filippova [05:00]
Upon graduating, Irina took a bold step by interning with BP in London during her spring break. Impressed by BP’s Beyond Petroleum initiative, which emphasized alternative energy sources, she secured a full-time position. Her role at BP involved working on both upstream and downstream projects, always with an eye towards sustainability and renewable energy.
One of her notable projects was the Helios House in Los Angeles, where Irina led the transformation of an old gas station into a state-of-the-art facility showcasing renewable energy technologies. This project marked the beginning of her deep commitment to sustainability.
Notable Quote:
"[...] we rebranded and revamped an old dirty gas station [...] into an architectural marvel. But also it was an education station that helped us showcase renewable energy technology."
— Irina Filippova [10:00]
Themes of Self-Initiation and Curiosity
Throughout her career, Irina has been characterized by her self-starter mentality and unwavering curiosity. She consistently chose roles that allowed her to originate projects and drive change rather than follow predefined paths.
Notable Quote:
"[...] every role on every project that I worked on was essentially starting from scratch. So if you will, it was being an entrepreneur within a very established company."
— Irina Filippova [11:46]
Irina’s non-linear career path exemplifies how entrepreneurial thinking can thrive within established organizations. Her transition from BP to an early-stage startup amidst the 2008 financial crisis underscores her ability to navigate uncertainties with a focus on creating value and fostering partnerships.
Courageous Leadership and Integrity
A significant portion of the conversation centers around the concept of courageous leadership. Irina eloquently defines leadership and courage as intrinsically linked, emphasizing that true leadership cannot exist without courage.
Notable Quote:
"In my mind, Vince, the word leader equals the word courage. There is no leadership without courage."
— Irina Filippova [16:06]
Irina challenges the often-romanticized notion of courage as reckless risk-taking. Instead, she advocates for a thoughtful approach where courage is about maintaining integrity, fulfilling promises, and making decisions aligned with one’s values—even when it means walking away from profitable opportunities that don’t fit the core mission.
Notable Quote:
"Most courageous leaders in my mind are those who actually stick to the promises that they make to their people, to the organization that they run."
— Irina Filippova [20:33]
Role as a Change Leadership Consultant
Irina’s journey led her to become a change leadership consultant, advising CEOs and senior leaders on navigating organizational transformations. Her approach is deeply rooted in personal introspection and aligning internal values with external goals.
Notable Quote:
"[...] the change needed to happen within myself. I studied psychology at the Carl Jung Institute in Zurich."
— Irina Filippova [24:30]
She underscores the importance of self-awareness and personal growth as prerequisites for effective leadership, ensuring that change initiatives are not just superficial but are deeply ingrained within the organizational culture.
Vision for Energy Transition
Currently, Irina and her team are at the forefront of revolutionizing the energy and transportation sectors. Their mission is to facilitate the electrification of transportation by providing comprehensive energy solutions that are reliable, cost-effective, and sustainable.
Notable Quote:
"[...] we are going to be an end-to-end provider so you don't have to worry about where the electrons are coming from, how they're being delivered to your vehicle."
— Irina Filippova [28:04]
Her company addresses the critical challenge of integrating renewable energy sources into transportation fleets, ensuring that businesses can transition smoothly without compromising on reliability or incurring excessive costs. By handling the complexities of energy procurement and infrastructure deployment, Irina’s company allows clients to focus on their core operations.
Managing Risks and Building Trust
In addressing potential client concerns about dependency and counterparty risks, Irina emphasizes the importance of clear contractual agreements and building trust through integrity and transparency.
Notable Quote:
"We have to educate our customers about who we are, not just what we do and how we do it, but who we are and why we're here."
— Irina Filippova [33:56]
She discusses strategies to mitigate risks, such as securing stable funding, aligning values with partners, and maintaining high standards of professionalism to ensure consistent delivery of promised outcomes.
Sustaining Motivation and Overcoming Challenges
Irina shares what keeps her motivated amid the challenges of leading a transformative business. The rapid evolution of the energy and transportation industries, coupled with the global impact of their work, serves as a constant source of inspiration.
Notable Quote:
"The most exciting part of this job is of course, no two days are the same."
— Irina Filippova [37:56]
She highlights the importance of resilience, tenacity, and a commitment to continuous learning as essential qualities for sustaining momentum and driving long-term success in a constantly changing landscape.
Advice for Aspiring Leaders and MBA Graduates
Addressing the younger generation, particularly MBA students and graduates passionate about effecting global change, Irina offers pragmatic and heartfelt advice:
Notable Quote:
"Feed your passion, feed your interest, grab it with both hands and you will find your way."
— Irina Filippova [42:13]
She encourages aspiring leaders to pursue fields that genuinely fascinate them, invest in understanding industry trends, and cultivate a mindset of continuous growth and adaptability. Irina stresses the importance of humility, hard work, and the willingness to create one’s own opportunities rather than relying solely on credentials or past achievements.
Conclusion
The conversation between Vince Chan and Irina Filippova encapsulates the essence of ambitious change leadership. Irina’s journey from diplomacy to sustainable energy underscores the power of curiosity, integrity, and courageous leadership in driving meaningful transformation. Her insights serve as a valuable roadmap for leaders and professionals aiming to make a lasting impact on both their organizations and the broader world.
Irina’s commitment to energy transition and decarbonization stands as a testament to how dedicated individuals can spearhead global change, fostering a more sustainable and resilient future for all.
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