Canary Media's Charging Up column chronicles gender diversity and notable career moves in the climatetech sector. Got a person or event you'd like to see us cover or a hot job tip? Let us know!
Zoe Berkery: On staking a claim
Zoe Berkery is chief operating officer at CleanCapital. This interview has been edited and condensed for brevity.
How did you end up on this career path?
From a young age, I knew I wanted to pursue a career in sustainability and the environment. I majored in environmental policy and international studies, thinking I would go into law or policy. I started my career at the White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) under Obama, focusing on the federal government's carbon footprint. It was a dream come true.
Later, I worked for the Business Council for Sustainable Energy, doing advocacy for clean energy companies. However, I began to feel jaded by policy. My former boss at CEQ, Jon Powers, offered me a side job at his new company, CleanCapital, which I accepted instead of doing an MBA program.
CleanCapital was cutting-edge in the distributed renewables space, and I knew I had to jump in. Despite my family's concerns about joining a small startup, I felt it was an exciting opportunity. My journey has been unique, starting in policy and now focusing on asset management at CleanCapital.
What's the best piece of advice you've ever received?
When I was interviewing for one of my first jobs, at the Business Council for Sustainable Energy, the executive director, Lisa Jacobson, asked about my salary expectations. I went to answer — it was only the second time I had to address this question — and she stopped me and said, "Don't tiptoe around telling me what you actually need. Tell me what you think is fair and what you're worth." I was taken aback, but I answered, and she honored it.
It was such a powerful experience because she was so forthright. Many times, women don't get that advice; we're often taught to be people pleasers and not make others uncomfortable. But that really helped me stake my claim and make the ask throughout my career. The worst that can happen is a "no" or a negotiation, but you should never shortchange yourself from the outset.
What is a barrier you faced and how did you overcome it?
Imposter syndrome is something I think many people deal with, and given my nontraditional path into my role, it's an area I think I will always be working on. I try to make sure my work, my contributions, and the quality of my team speak for themselves and can stand on their own. While our industry is improving and I'm lucky to be surrounded by amazing women and a diverse team at CleanCapital, that is not always the case in external meetings, conferences, or panels. When you feel slightly othered, or you are younger or the only woman, imposter syndrome feelings can creep in. It's important to push those feelings out, own your decisions, and have conviction in your opinions.
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