In this episode of The Feminist Exec, KP sits down with Annie Kell, a sustainability leader whose career spans astrophysics, renewable energy research, consulting, and large-scale climate impact. Annie shares how she built a purpose-driven path rooted in systems thinking, human-centered design, and the belief that sustainability is ultimately about protecting the people and places we care about.

She opens up about navigating male-dominated fields, being labeled “intimidating” simply for holding boundaries, and growing into a leadership style that is direct, kind, and grounded in whole-person humanity. Annie also reflects on the realities of work-life tradeoffs, the “glass balls vs. rubber balls” framework that keeps her grounded, and what it means to raise two young girls in a world shaped by climate risk and evolving opportunities for women.

Together, we explore how sustainability intersects with leadership, motherhood, and the choices that shape a meaningful life. Annie’s story is a reminder that you don’t have to do it all—but you can do the work that truly matters, both at home and at scale.

Key Topics We Cover:

• What sustainability really means—and why it’s human, not just environmental

• How astrophysics led Annie to a purpose-driven career in climate and buildings

• The realities of male-dominated industries and gendered labels like “intimidating”

• Leadership that blends directness, kindness, boundaries, and full-person humanity

• The power of female networks and community in sustainability

• Work-life tradeoffs, the “glass vs. rubber balls” framework, and managing burnout

• Raising strong girls in a changing world, and modeling confidence and impact

• Why sustainability is good for business, and why structural change matters

• Navigating rapid industry shifts like AI, data centers, and resource demands

• How to define success through impact, balance, and continuous growth

Books Recommended:

The Overstory by Richard Powers: https://www.richardpowers.net/the-overstory/ 

Drawdown:The Most Comprehensive Plan Ever Proposed to Reverse Global Warming edited by Paul Hawken https://drawdown.org/the-book 

Sound Bites

”Sustainability is good for business.”

”Believe in yourself a bit more.”

”We need to assign value to nature.”

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Sustainability and Personal Journey

05:18 Defining Success in Sustainability

10:50 The Role of AI in Sustainability

16:16 Work-Life Balance and Corporate Culture

28:03 Navigating Work-Life Balance Post-COVID

33:35 Establishing Boundaries and Support Networks

41:22 Advice for Career Growth

45:39 The Reality of Balancing Parenthood and Career

50:31 The Value of Nature in Sustainability

Keywords

sustainability, leadership, women in business, work-life balance, consulting, AI, environmental impact, career development, personal growth, community support, sustainability consulting, motherhood, raising girls, boundaries, whole-person leadership, feminism, executive, the feminist exec