Ashwin's Story
Every week, I travel back and forth from my full-time job in Boston to the classroom at NYU Stern. I know it’s worth it to pursue my passion to fight climate change.
Did you know we could power the entire country by covering a tiny square of Utah in solar panels? People’s lives depend on mitigating climate change, and it’s time to open a discussion about changing the landscape of the power market.
In Boston, I lead a small team at a consulting firm to help clients integrate renewable resources in the US market to fight climate change. At Stern, I am learning cutting-edge solutions to business problems and honing my managerial and leadership skills. I take this classroom knowledge and ‘learning by doing’ mindset to help clients integrate renewable energy into their markets.
In an industry that is widely criticized, my international background has taught me how to keep an open mind and empathize with people who have different opinions. Growing up in the UAE, a country reliant on oil, I learned how to think beyond the status quo and convince cities to do the same.
That said, my technical background in engineering didn’t prepare me for the nuances of leading a team. Non-technical executives don’t have time for numbers and data – they want an engaging story. The Leadership Accelerator has taught me the power of storytelling and how to captivate an audience with a great hook. This experience has directly enhanced my ability to motivate my team and convey a vision.
When I think about an exceptional leader, I don’t look to the smartest person in the room. I look to the person who is willing to take a backseat and lean on their team to explain complex ideas. Strong leaders understand the power in giving their team the right resources to succeed. A leader must build trust in their team and give them the spotlight to speak up.