Charming and focused, Carolyn Moore is one of those people that has always stayed a few steps ahead of her peers. Leaving the proven and lucrative, although demanding Investment Banking industry to take a chance in the world of Renewable Energy is not something that many young professionals would do, Carolyn took a shot. After all you miss every shot you don’t take. Get to know Carolyn Moore.
Notable: What is your Name and age?
Carolyn: Carolyn Moore, 26, Manager of Corporate Finance.
Notable: What is the name of the company you work for and what industry is it in?
Carolyn: Company: Greenfield Ethanol (www.greenfieldethanol.com); Industry: Renewable Fuels, Green Chemicals
Notable: Elevator Pitch (we just met on an elevator, we have 30 seconds together in the elevator, please describe your business):
Carolyn: GreenField is a green chemical company. Our products transform Canada’s renewable resources into clean transportation fuel and green chemicals that improve people’s lives. We are Canada’s largest ethanol producer and dominate the North American Industrial alcohol business.
We own and operate 4 state of the art bio-refineries and 3 packaging facilities in the Great Lakes Basin. We are committed to sustainable growth, investing in our people, building capacity and maintaining world class safety standards. In just 20 years, GreenField has obtained a dominant position in the North American industrial alcohol market, established the Canadian fuel ethanol market and built the operating capacity (~600 million litres per annum) to supply much of Canada’s growing need for clean low carbon fuel.
Notable: Why did you get involved in your industry, why this one, what was the inspiration?
Carolyn: I began my career in the investment banking field. During this time GreenField was the client with whom I focused the majority of my time. I was drawn to the renewable fuels industry as it is a relatively new and quickly growing industry that is playing a key role in solving some very big, important challenges facing society on a global scale. The landscape is made up of experts from a wide range of industries (scientists, engineers, farmers, environmentalists, social empowerment groups, politicians, finance experts, etc.) who are trying to change the energy landscape – the execution of this enormous task is very interesting to me. I like that it is a complex industry that has meaningful interaction with all the previously mentioned groups, especially “Big Oil” and everyday consumers.
Notable: What is the best part of what you do on a day-to-day basis?
Carolyn: I get to appreciate the entire value-chain – from the farmers who grow the corn (our major input), our plant operators and sales teams, to governments (who legislate, regulate and support the industry), and financial backers. I get to see firsthand how this diverse chain interacts and what the real value drivers are.
Notable: What is the most challenging part of your job?
Carolyn: I work in a publically debated industry which very few people understand. It can be frustrating when it is unfairly attacked, especially in the public domain.
Notable: What is your greatest asset as it relates to business?
Carolyn: Great mentors
Notable: What is the most memorable milestone in your career?
Carolyn: Quitting a lucrative investment banking position, in a hot capital market environment, to work in an untraditional and relatively un-established industry.
Notable: Do you support any charities? If so, which one(s) and why is that important to you?
Carolyn: I sit on the board of the Harriet Knor Foundation which funds graduate studies in Cancer Research. I also sit on multiple board committees within an educational non-profit organization. I chose to direct my efforts towards education as it is the foundation of social/economic development. I think it is an extremely worthy cause.
Notable: What is Notable to you?
Carolyn: Reforming the way education is provided: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jbkSRLYSojo, Khanacadamy.com Thelotteryfilm.com/