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Diane Sadowski
firstfuelcells.com

The Nominator: Kyllea Kerg, Student

How has the nominee implemented sustainable business practices in his or her business or organization?
The most notable way in which Diane Sadowski employs sustainable business practices is her focus on the future, not just in a business sense but in terms of human knowledge and well-being. Her start-up company distributes small-scale hydrogen fuel cells for personal and, more importantly, educational applications, giving high-school and college age students access to the technology that will shape their future. She`s very involved in science, technology and design-oriented programs that area schools participate in and believes in the key role educational development has for the success of alternative energies. The sustainability of her business lies in its construction of a groundwork for sustainable practices in others and the development of clean, zero-emissions energy. Another way Diane`s sustainable practices are implemented is in her Green Machine competition. This event continues and cements her goals of growing a base of interest and understanding of fuel cell and advanced energies that lead toward a sustainable future. Her goal for the 2009 competition is to have the entire event off the grid using hydrogen and solar power, promoting a clean energy future through example and implementation.

What are the triple bottom line benefits (people, planet, prosperity) of the nominee`s work?
Diane`s work focuses on the benefits that the people of Ohio, the country as a whole and the environment might achieve through both her business and her robotics competition. Diane grew up in a low income area in Northeast Ohio, so the development of a successful business here that provides employment for others is a vision of hers. Not only does she want to contribute to the wealth-generating commerce of the area, she also contributes to educational programs that raise workers to skilled labor positions. Diane works to create a business employing people in the fuel cell industry as well as building the foundation for an educated and technically-trained work-force to support it. Also, her educational programs for students of various age levels enrich the educational lives of kids as well as their parents and adult coaches. The collaborative competition model Diane promotes encourages the teams to work together and communicate as they experiment with fuel cell technology that has barely even hit the market. This builds the human capital of Ohio both immediately and for the future, fostering a firm and enthusiastic interest in the sciences that comprise what many agree is a major part of our economic future. Additionally, the environment benefits from clean, renewable, zero- or near-zero emission energy. Hydrogen is abundant and accessible anywhere in the world with the right technology, reducing the need for dirty, emissions-heavy combustion fuels. Especially when working in conjunction with solar and wind energy, hydrogen fuel cells can reproduce the energy output of building-scale utilities down to wall sockets, answering both domestic and industry energy needs.

How has the nominee inspired you to implement sustainable business practices?
Diane`s dedication to building not just a business but an educational event has changed the way I think about the possibilities of alternative energy. Her non-stop drive to bring her technology to students and encourage new ways of thinking has made a future I`d thought of, at best, as improbable seem possible. I come from an art and design background, just as Diane has, and it has troubled me a great deal that the industries my major lends itself to do not typically contribute meaningfully to society at large. Seeing how she has turned her visual training into something as constructive as a fuel cell business and alternative energy competition really has inspired me, as an artist, a woman and environmentalist, to broaden my view of my own future. Values do indeed have a significant place and impact on the business world and aren’t simply impracticable ideals.

How can someone else translate the success of the nominee? Is the work of the nominee an example or model that others can follow?
The success of Diane`s business model and competition is very applicable to other companies and organizations. She focuses her business around not just the clear benefits of her products and services, but on education and accessibility. The blend of business, education, and fun enriches the experience of customers and young people as well as the businessperson him/herself. She fosters not just the purchase of a fuel cell, but invention and ingenuity on the part of the customers, building relationships with them. This approach is also a great way to demonstrate the functionality and usefulness of a new technology or product, which is effective marketing both for immediate benefit as well as a place in future markets.

How does the nominee actively participate in the sustainability community? How do they collaborate and share their knowledge with others?
Diane is involved with many research labs, organizations and educational institutions that develop and implement sustainable technology and renewable fuels. Firstfuelcells.com has worked closely with fuel cell and alternative energy researchers at the former Wright Group on CASE campus, connects industry members and associates both within and independent of the Fuel Cell Corridor, and works with educational institutions on sustainable programming. Diane incubates scientists and inventors who develop new sustainable technology, such as PEM units and MEAs, helping them gain an audience for their work. She also works with such institutions as CASE, Cuyahoga Community College and Hathaway Brown to encourage and develop programs that promote sustainable practices and technology, training in robotics and advanced sciences. She builds relationships with teachers, industry leaders, students and scientists, and is involved with those inventing cutting edge, alternative energy technology across the country. Her national, alternative energy robotics competition also connects students interested in learning more about sustainable fuel sources in states from Alaska to Ohio, South Carolina to California.