Better Than We Found It

GS2 Partnership

5.0 (3)
BUSINESS
MONTHLY

At GS2, we believe in leaving the world better than we found it. Our purpose is to connect individuals who share this belief and strive to make a positive impact. We are excited to introduce our new podcast, Better Than We Found It, where we engage with purpose-focused executive leaders and aspiring future leaders to explore the concepts of sustainability and improving the world for future generations.

09/12/2025

From Engineer to Storyteller: A Leadership Masterclass with Irfan Bharde

Welcome to Season 4, Episode 8 of Better Than We Found It, the go-to podcast for sustainable leadership and purpose-driven business practices. Today's guest is a leader who proves that the most powerful skill in the technical world isn't engineering, it's storytelling. Irfan Bharde is the SVP and Chief Commercial Officer at NovaSource Power, one of the world's largest O&M service providers for solar and storage assets. His journey is a masterclass in cross-industry leadership, with a career spanning traditional power at GE, industrial automation at Honeywell, and robotics and AI at Domatic. Irfan was brought into NovaSource as part of a new leadership team with a clear mission: to transform the company and bring a mature, process-driven playbook to the rapidly growing renewables industry. In this episode, we explore: - The multicultural advantage how speaking multiple languages and understanding different cultures shapes leadership effectiveness - His pivotal career transformation from engineer to executive storyteller working directly with a CEO - The outsider's advantage of bringing lessons from software, robotics, and traditional power into the solar industry - Why the best leaders listen more and speak less and how to make that shift - Navigating the current challenges in renewables and building resilient business models - His vision for total asset optimization and the future of sustainable energy - The role of AI in education and personalized learning - What it means to leave a legacy by empowering the next generation If you're in energy, sustainability, or any technical field looking to scale your leadership impact, this episode is packed with actionable insights. Connect with Josh on LinkedIn Connect with Irfan on LinkedIn This podcast is brought to you by GS2 Partnership, the recruitment partner for ambitious, impact-led teams across energy, finance, and the built environment. Find out more about GS2 here

1h 7m
18/11/2025

Simple as Sunshine: A CEO's Playbook for Disrupting the Energy Market with Michael Chanin

Welcome to Season 4, Episode 7 of Better Than We Found It, the go-to podcast for sustainable leadership and purpose-driven business practices. Today, we're joined by Michael Chanin, founder and CEO of Cherry Street Energy, the largest non-utility renewable energy provider in Georgia. Michael's journey is one of conviction, meeting opportunities from studying human rights at the University of Cambridge to high-stakes finance at Goldman Sachs during the financial crisis, his path took an unexpected turn during a casual Friday lunch. A conversation about a change in state law opened his eyes to a market opportunity, and he went home that same day to start a power company. In this episode, we explore: - How a single moment of insight during "Fried Chicken Friday" led to founding Cherry Street Energy. - The audacity required to challenge a century-old energy monopoly. - Building a business at the intersection of purpose and profit—not doing good as a byproduct, but as the core. - The power of making complex solutions "simple as sunshine" for customers. - Why behavioral traits trump technical skills when building a high-performing team. - Navigating political headwinds while staying true to a mission. - Creating a 100-year business focused on enduring value. Michael shares invaluable lessons on leveraging privilege responsibly, the importance of asking for what you want, and why the best leaders are storytellers who can take complexity and make it accessible. If you're an entrepreneur, energy professional, or anyone interested in building purpose-driven businesses that create lasting impact, this episode is essential listening. Connect with Josh on LinkedIn Connect with Michael on LinkedIn This podcast is brought to you by GS2 Partnership, the recruitment partner for ambitious, impact-led teams across energy, finance, and the built environment. Find out more about GS2 here

1h 7m
12/11/2025

From Boom & Bust to Building a Renewable Future with Jody Snodgrass

Welcome to Season 4, Episode 6 of Better Than We Found It, the go-to podcast for sustainable leadership and purpose-driven business practices. Today, we're joined by Jody Snodgrass, CEO of TruGrid, a turnkey EPC for utility-scale solar and energy storage. Jody's career is anything but linear. He's been a founder who built and sold multiple companies, a top-tier consultant at Deloitte, and a C-suite executive for some of the largest energy companies in the world. He's seen the industry from every possible angle: as the owner, the contractor and the consultant. In this episode, we dive into the brutal truths of that journey, the personal sacrifices required for a global career, the hard lessons learned from failure, and the relentless drive for continuous improvement that defines his leadership style. From starting his first business at 20 and selling it for a 13.5x multiple, to losing everything in the 2008 financial crisis, to navigating the rigid structures of corporate giants like Jacobs and Deloitte, Jody shares it all. We explore how he's built resilience in organisations, why he values loyalty over competency, his philosophy of "embrace the red," and how he's leading TruGrid through one of the most challenging times in renewable energy. If you're looking for honest, battle-tested insights on leadership, career growth, and the energy transition, this episode delivers. Connect with Josh on LinkedIn Connect with Jody on LinkedIn This podcast is brought to you by GS2 Partnership, the recruitment partner for ambitious, impact-led teams across energy, finance, and the built environment. Find out more about GS2 here

1h 8m
04/11/2025

From Barcelona to Brooklyn: Building Circular Mobility with Marta Anadon

Welcome to Season 4, Episode 5 of Better Than We Found It, the go-to podcast for sustainable leadership and purpose-driven business practices. Today, we're joined by Marta Anadon, Head of US at Upway, a fast-growing circular economy startup making light electric mobility accessible through refurbished e-bikes. Marta's career journey spans civil engineering in Barcelona, power trading at EDF in Europe, scaling Uber and UberEats across multiple continents, and now building Upway's US business from the ground up. In this episode, we explore: - How switching industries with intention builds transferable leadership skills - The art of launching a business in a new market with just an incorporation and a vision - Building talent-dense teams where feedback is a gift, not a threat - Why urban mobility is one of the most powerful levers for sustainable cities - Balancing mission-driven impact with commercial growth in the circular economy - The future of refurbished electric vehicles and battery innovation Whether you're navigating career transitions, scaling a purpose-driven business, or passionate about sustainable urban design, this episode offers practical wisdom from someone who's done it all. Connect with Josh on LinkedIn Connect with Marta on LinkedIn This podcast is brought to you by GS2 Partnership, the recruitment partner for ambitious, impact-led teams across energy, finance, and the built environment. Find out more about GS2 here

1h 6m
28/10/2025

Building a Purpose-Driven Engineering Powerhouse with Sohan Das

Welcome to Season 4, Episode 4 of Better Than We Found It - the go-to podcast for sustainable leadership and purpose-driven business practices. Today, we're joined by Sohan Das, Vice President of Renewable Energy at EVS, Inc. a consulting engineering firm specializing in utility-scale solar, battery storage, and transmission infrastructure. Sohan's journey is one of purpose, resilience, and serendipity - from growing up in India watching his father's environmental initiatives, to navigating the 2009 recession, to building a renewable energy division from the ground up that now supports 230 families. In this episode, we explore: How early environmental awareness in India shaped Sohan's career trajectoryThe reality of joining start ups during a recession and what it takes to thriveBuilding a renewable energy division from scratch at EVS, Inc. over 11 yearsThe critical transition from individual contributor to leader of leadersNavigating industry uncertainty while staying mission-drivenWhy consulting engineering firms are the best place for engineers to truly learn their craftThe importance of diversification strategy in a rapidly changing energy landscapeSohan shares invaluable lessons on risk-taking, the art of listening, and how to balance technical excellence with people-first leadership. Whether you're an engineer, entrepreneur, or sustainability professional, this episode offers practical wisdom on building with purpose while weathering industry storms. Connect with Josh on LinkedIn Connect with Sohan on LinkedIn This podcast is brought to you by GS2 Partnership, the recruitment partner for ambitious, impact-led teams across energy, finance, and the built environment. Find out more about GS2 here

58 min
21/10/2025

Bridging Compliance, Leadership, and Renewables with Kellie Macpherson

Welcome to season 4, episode 3 of Better Than We Found It, the go-to podcast for sustainable leadership and purpose-driven business practices. In this episode, Josh is joined by Kellie Macpherson, Executive Vice President of Compliance and Security at Radian. With a career spanning grid reliability, renewables, and executive leadership, Kellie shares how her upbringing in a family deeply tied to the energy industry shaped her path and how she’s now helping to define the future of compliance and security in the renewable sector. We explore Kellie’s journey from the California ISO during the energy crisis, to pioneering compliance in solar and renewables, to leading teams at scale in a rapidly growing business. Along the way, she reflects on leadership lessons, the power of saying “yes,” the challenges of sustaining growth, and why battery storage gives her hope for the future of the grid. Key Takeaways: Growing up with grid reliability at the dinner table and how it shaped Kellie’s perspective on energy.Lessons from the California energy crisis and why reliability is personal.Transitioning into renewables and creating compliance frameworks for first-of-their-kind projects.The power of saying “yes” and how it accelerates careers.Building resilient teams, spotting burnout, and leading with kindness.Why battery storage is the future of reliable renewable energy.The role of LinkedIn and personal brand in creating opportunities. If you’re interested in leadership, grid reliability, or the future of renewables, this conversation is packed with insight.

1h 8m
14/10/2025

Building at Scale: From Navy to Solar Leadership with Chris Hodrick

Welcome to Season 4, Episode 2 of Better Than We Found It, the go-to podcast for sustainable leadership and purpose-driven business practices. Today, Josh sits down with Chris Hodrick, CEO of Qcells USA Corp. Chris’s story is anything but typical. He spent over two decades as a U.S. Navy Civil Engineer Corps officer before leading $35 billion of construction projects at Amazon, taking the helm of a 9,000-strong renewables workforce at Blattner, and now leading Qcells’ mission to create a fully American-made solar supply chain. In this conversation, Chris shares: - Lessons on leadership from growing up in coal country and serving in the Navy - How he translated military systems thinking into success at Amazon - The pivotal career shift to renewable energy and solar construction - Why building operating systems and empowering people is central to scaling - His advice for veterans and professionals transitioning into clean energy - His vision for Qcells USA and what it takes to deliver certainty in a volatile energy landscape If you’re curious about leadership at scale, career transitions, or the future of America’s solar industry, this episode is full of insights.

1h 11m
09/10/2025

Building the World's Largest Flow Battery Company with Jon Parrella

Welcome to season 4, episode 1 of Better Than We Found It, the go-to podcast for sustainable leadership and purpose-driven business practices. Today, we’re joined by Jon Parrella, Founder and CEO of TerraFlow Energy. In just one year, TerraFlow has become the world’s largest flow battery company, tackling one of the biggest challenges of our time: powering the colossal energy needs of data centers with American-made, long-duration battery storage. In this episode, Jon shares his entrepreneurial journey — from early ventures in energy and SaaS to founding TerraFlow Energy. We explore how his mindset, risk-taking approach, and ability to pivot have fueled rapid growth, and why flow batteries could be the breakthrough technology for the energy transition. We also dive into: Lessons from building and exiting multiple companiesWhy long-duration storage is key to AI-driven data centersHow to scale a startup from idea to gigafactories in under 18 monthsLeadership, hiring, and the importance of aligning interestsJon’s vision for leaving a lasting legacy in clean energyIf you’re interested in entrepreneurship, energy innovation, or building sustainable solutions at scale, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

1h 3m

5

out of 5

3 Ratings

At GS2, we believe in leaving the world better than we found it. Our purpose is to connect individuals who share this belief and strive to make a positive impact. We are excited to introduce our new podcast, Better Than We Found It, where we engage with purpose-focused executive leaders and aspiring future leaders to explore the concepts of sustainability and improving the world for future generations.

Creator

GS2 Partnership
Years Active

2023 - 2025
Episodes

46
Rating

Clean
Copyright

© 2025 Better Than We Found It
Show Website

Better Than We Found It