Planning and Investing for a Sustainable Future

Green.org sits down with Ali Elnaamani, Managing Director & Regional Global Practice Manager @ 1898 & Co., to learn how they are helping businesses when it comes to planning and investing for a sustainable future.

Ali, thank you for being here. Tell us a little bit about you and your background:

I started my career serving the industrial sector and working for a Fortune 100 company servicing utilities and oil and gas companies. I spent the first few years modernizing and commissioning control systems for over 80 utilities worldwide, and later implemented cybersecurity measures and solutions to help these utilities meet their regulatory requirements to improve their cyber resilience. Later, I found myself in a global leadership role focused on building organizations to help clients solve challenges as they embark on their digitalization and autonomous operations journeys.

Two years ago, I learned about 1898 & Co., a part of Burns & McDonnell, and I was fascinated with their vision to enable the future of critical infrastructure. Today, I am the Managing Director and Global Practice Manager at 1898 & Co. I am responsible for teams that focus on transmission, distribution, utility investment planning and renewables, grid advisory and electrification services, cybersecurity, and data analytics, AI and integration of software solutions to support our clients. I have a Bachelor of Science in computer information systems, a master’s in business administration with a concentration on information security, and a Master of Science in cybersecurity.

What would you do with $1 Billion dollars?

I would apply the basic principle of save some, give some and spend some. I believe saving is a crucial aspect of financial planning and long-term stability to enable me to pursue larger aspirations like investing and participating in startups in the fields of technology. I also believe giving back and making meaningful impacts in our communities is critical. Therefore, I would increase my involvement and contributions to charitable causes. While saving and giving are essential, it’s also important to enjoy the fruits of one’s labor and indulge in personal experiences with family and friends.

Why do you think sustainability is such an important topic today?

Sustainability is important because it is essential for the future of our planet and our future generations. Climate change and resource depletion are all serious threats to our environment, and sustainability is one major way to address these challenges. In addition to the environmental impact, there are also social, and economic challenges that acknowledges the need for responsible actions to protect the planet, ensure social justice and build a resilient and sustainable future for all.

What do you envision your industry looking like 10 years from now?

The industrial sectors are expected to undergo significant transformations driven by technology, increased consumer demands, and overall sustainability goals. Renewable energy sources such as solar, wind and hydro are going to dominate the market, becoming reliable sources of power generation. Smart grids, decentralized grids, energy storage and electrification will be the future of the industry. We will see significant investments to upgrade and fortify the infrastructure resulting in increased disaster response capabilities and cyber resilience.

What can the average person do to make a difference?

The average person can make a significant difference in promoting sustainability through their everyday choices and actions such as reducing energy consumption, minimizing waste, conserving water, choosing sustainable transportation, supporting sustainable businesses, educating, and advocating for sustainability and more.

Listen to Ali Elnaamani on The Green Podcast: