Hi I’m Eleanor

I got my master’s degree from UC Berkeley in Engineering for the Developing World. My technical focus was innovation in water treatment.

I then worked Isle Utilities 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 studied for the Fundamentals of Engineering exam (EIT certificate). My first love is still “all things water”, but I’m no longer a “just one thing” girl - I’ve also become interested in transportation.

I’m looking to make my next career move, and I’d be happy working on either. (Or, you know, both. ;)

When I’m not working, you’ll probably find me planning and coordinating some sort of event, training for a swimming competition, or persuading someone to listen to French pop music.

In graduate school, I was voted most likely to write a book. Probably because I was the best at writing stuff down.

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 used 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. I’m really passionate about water, transportation, and housing because these areas are in desperate need of creative solutions for the 21st century.

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.