Hi I’m Eleanor

I got my master’s degree from UC Berkeley focusing on innovation in water treatment.

I then worked for a small water utility tech consulting firm where I evaluated the latest, most cutting-edge water tech and matched it to the most pressing needs of water utilities. After moving on from there, I pursued the Fundamentals of Engineering exam (EIT certificate) and did a quick tour of the public sector side on a contract with San Francisco Public Utilities Commission. I got to support a cool team working through the decision-making stage of how to approach updating generational-level water storage infrastructure. Then, I made a stop in dry utilities - I started doing fundamental design preparation work and calculations, and I went to nine pre-construction meetings in eight months.

Why is your website called “Paaneeni and more”?

Also a great question! “Paanee” (पानी) is Hindi for “water”. And there’s nothing better than a sandwiched portmanteau.

Writing a book may or may not be in my future.

Before this….

My career so far has been focused on innovation management ~ asking and testing “how can we do things better?”

I like designing, testing, and implementing tools and systems to make operations processes move faster so that the human side of creative problem solving can be exercised more effectively.

Highlights of interesting stuff I’ve done in this space:

  1. Applying Google’s SPRINT framework to develop and execute international project-based education programming in the COVID-19 era - resulting in 12 project teams, 12 digital product/service prototypes, and 3 workshops on focusing on international collaboration, sustainable development, and virtual presentation skills.

  2. Scaling up a non-profit focused on using AI to detect respiratory disease by reducing turnover, implementing a project management software, and developing a new, shorter onboarding program.

  3. Reporting short-form written content for Startup Grind Beijing and getting to be “in the room” with innovators, funders, and visionaries in the brave new (mostly software) tech space.

Through these experiences, I learned how to apply the innovation cycle in a myriad of contexts, tools and systems for rapid prototyping, how to build and maintain a strong team, and when to kill ideas.

What’s next?

You tell me! I’m pursuing my AutoCAD certification and should have that in late October 2025. I like to build relationships with people. I enjoy the grit and detail of construction fieldwork and lab time, but I also enjoy spending time pondering the how and why of how the industry got here and where it’s going. I’m really passionate about infrastructure that supports human flourishing, and I’m always looking for ways to use my background to support this highly-regulated, change-resistant space.