“Resilience is a team sport. You cannot build resilience in insolation. I cannot emphasize how important multi sector action and teamwork is. So let’s understand that and work together.”

Lauren Sorkin on Electric Ladies Podcast

To kick off the first interview of 2025, we’re diving into a topic that affects us all: Can the cities we live in truly provide what we need to thrive? With over half of the global population now living in urban areas – a figure projected to hit 70% by 2050 – cities are at the forefront of the climate transition.

Join me as I talk with Lauren Sorkin, Co-founder and Executive Director of the Resilient Cities Network, about how cities can evolve into thriving ecosystems that withstand the shocks and stressors of climate change. Lauren sheds light on the critical role of Chief Resilience Officers and their mission to break down barriers.

 This episode is all about reimagining our cities – don’t miss it! 

You’ll hear about:

• How the Resilient Cities Network is helping cities navigate a world facing polycrises.
• Why Chief Resilience Officers are instrumental to sustainable, inclusive urban futures.
• The importance of eco-urbanism as a solution to climate change, extreme heat, flooding, and even Mental Health.
• Why communication and inclusivity empower local communities to build resilience.
• Practical steps business, government, and community leaders can take.
• Plus, insightful career advice

“Know what your non-negotiables are and go in that direction. Don’t be afraid to break down silos and bring different parts of your life together, in terms of your network and your talent. Bring the best parts of you into the work that you do.”

Lauren Sorkin on Electric Ladies Podcast 

Read Joan’s Forbes article based on this interview here and more of her articles here too.

You’ll also like:

• Sherri Goodman, former Undersecretary of Defense for Environmental Security, on how climate change is impacting geopolitics and national security.
• Susan McPherson, CEO of McPherson Strategies, on corporate strategies in a time of geopolitical crisis.
• Michele Wucker, thought leader and author of “You Are What You Risk: The New Art & Science to Navigating an Uncertain World.”.
• Anne Kelly, Ceres Government Relations, on business and infrastructure policy.
• Paula Glover, President of the Alliance to Save Energy, on how talking about energy  efficiency helps build bridges to solutions to mitigating climate change.

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Joan Michelson Electric Ladies Podcast - Innovation, Energy, Climate, Careers

Joan Michelson, MBA is a highly accomplished business leader and award-winning strategic social impact and ESG – environment, social, governance – leader, who drove breakthrough results at Chrysler (in EVs), American Express and Deloitte, small businesses, and government agencies. She is an instructor on ESG issues to professionals, leaders and board members across industries. Her specialties include leveraging ESG solutions and partnerships strategically for maximum benefit, helping organizations recruit innovative, diverse women, and helping these women thrive in their careers. She is based in the Washington D.C. area.

Joan is also an accomplished journalist who has worked with top media organizations and hosts and produces the acclaimed Electric Ladies podcast (formerly known as Green Connections Radio), about innovation and leadership in energy-, climate- and sustainability-related issues across industries, featuring women experts.

She writes regularly for Forbes on these issues and has also been in the Harvard Business Review, HuffPost, TheAtlantic.com, Greenbiz, The New Economy magazine (distributed at the World Economic Forum), New Thinking magazine, regional business journals; and various other media. She coproduced segments with CBS News’ “60 Minutes,” ABC News, and “The Crusaders,” and television specials on NBC.

Joan has spent her career working in energy-sustainability-climate-ESG issues and in marketing communications, including as head of communications and co-leader of the sales and marketing team of Chrysler’s Global Electric Motorcars (GEM), driving “best year ever” growth and significantly accelerated the adoption of electric vehicles. Prior to GEM, she led marketing communications efforts to high-net-worth and high-visibility clients in management consulting-financial services companies Deloitte and American Express. She's a native of NYC and has a BA from UCLA, an MBA from Baruch College at City University of NY, and post-graduate studies at Harvard Business School, The New School and The Aspen Institute, among others. She has a Sustainability and ESG certification from Competent Boards.