Seven Questions with Andrea Kraj

1. Why are you excited to speak at TEDxWinnipeg?

I’m excited to share my idea of how we can build robust communities and smart cities by the integration of resources. Relying on one resource alone does not build resiliency, so why would you do that with your energy supply? The integration shows the beauty in the artistry of the technology.

2. What is your idea worth spreading?

As the clean-tech market is trending, we see a lot of projects needed for development and the desire for individuals and companies to play in this market. However, there is a lack of sophistication and knowledge on how to best deploy clean-tech, renewables, storage and the integration of it, and the infrastructure, policy frameworks and funding mechanisms are not up to pace with this rapidly evolving market. We need to understand how each of us has the power to play in this market, having a stake in the opportunities to design our communities by starting with our own homes, creating smart cities and communities together.

3. Who inspires you, and why?

Sheryl Sandberg is great for advancing women’s equality in the workplace, especially in the technology and entrepreneurship sectors. She has a remarkable story herself and her insights are great.

4. What accomplishment are you most proud of?

Completing my PhD, in Engineering. There are not a lot of Canadian women in Engineering, and by the time you reach grad school, it’s even less. You don’t really have anyone cheering for you, but rather challenging you. You need to dig deeper than ever to discover your strength to persevere when the system isn’t set up to help you. It wasn’t just completing a degree – it was working, supporting a family, and creating solutions in a clean-tech sector before it ever had a label and finding that life-balance. It was a long lonely path between enlightenment and despair. It’s hard to imagine and even harder to describe, but the moment of completion is glorious, like reaching the summit of the hardest mountain to climb.

5. What’s on your playlist at the moment?

A little bit of Bollywood, Salsa and Yoga music mix.

6. What’s your biggest pet peeve?

A lack of authenticity and kindness, authentic kindness. I really dislike that slogan “kill them with kindness” – if you are faking being kind, what are you doing?! Be real. Tell it like it is. And let someone know if they hurt you, hold them accountable, and move on.

7. What TED Talk do you think everyone should see?

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