“Thinking about an opportunity to rebuild… So now what are we going to do? And, how do you rebuild in a way that actually does involve equity and equality and sustainability in ways that impact people of all different kinds. And that’s, I think, the opportunity that we should be looking toward.”
Majora Carter on Electric Ladies Podcast
After devastating wildfires reduced entire neighborhoods in Los Angeles to ashes, the city faces the challenge of rebuilding – not just its infrastructure, but its communities. This is an opportunity to integrate climate resilience, especially for marginalized communities, while reshaping the heart and soul of urban spaces in the process.
Listen to this episode of Electric Ladies Podcast, where Joan Michelson speaks with urban revitalization expert Majora Carter about transforming cities into more equitable, sustainable, and vibrant communities. Majora discusses the challenges of preventing displacement in post-disaster recovery and shares her innovative approach to community development that encourages residents to invest in and remain in their own neighborhoods. These lessons apply not just to Los Angeles, but to communities everywhere.
You’ll hear about:
- How urban design shapes socioeconomic opportunities and why it matters.
- The power of Third Spaces – shared community spaces that foster resilience and connection.
- Why “low-status” neighborhoods struggle to retain talent and how strategic investment can change that.
- How cities can integrate climate resilience measures without worsening inequality.
- The unique role of women in revitalizing communities.
- Plus, career advice on owning your expertise.
“I think there need to be more women stepping up and realizing that they proudly should play the game…I hear a lot of women second guessing themselves before they step out on their own. And that is what we have to recognize. We have so much to offer, and half this battle is just us opening our mouths and letting it out.”
Majora Carter on Electric Ladies Podcast
Read Joan’s Forbes articles here.
You’ll also like:
- Lauren Sorkin, Co-founder and Executive Director, Resilient Cities Network, on about how cities can evolve into thriving ecosystems that withstand the shocks and stressors of climate change
- Bethia Burke, President, The Fund For Our Economic Future, on the community impact of green manufacturing
- Rachel McCleery, former Senior Advisor, Treasury Dept. Inflation Reduction Act Program, on how to leverage the IRA to save Money reducing a building or business’s energy use and carbon footprint.
- Katie McGinty, Chief Sustainability Officer, Johnson Controls, on the power of building.
- Laur Hesse Fisher, MIT’s Environmental Solutions Initiative, on how working with communities and organizations is key to making a difference.
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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.
