Member Spotlight: Andrés RM Velarde

This week, I spoke with Andrés RM Velarde, Director of The Knowledge Society (TKS) . We discussed how we are all agents of change. Andrés shared how his journey, from working on climate tech innovations to shaping the next generation of climate builders, was driven by a deep sense of urgency and responsibility.

In every great community, there are those who quietly uplift others, spreading positivity in ways both small and profound. Every day, “anonymous” notes of gratitude appear on our community whiteboard, reminding us to appreciate the little things, celebrate each other, and find joy in the present moment.

Laura Knaub: What’s Your Climate Journey?

Andrés RM Velarde: I didn't really consider climate tech until after university when I found my way to Los Alamos, New Mexico. I joined as the 5th employee of a nanotech startup that spun out of the Los Alamos National Lab. They were trying to scale up the synthesis of non-toxic quantum dots (i.e. semiconductor nanoparticles) and put them into various products like greenhouse films, security inks, and solar windows. Working on those solar windows, or luminescent solar concentrators, was an "oh shit!" moment. I felt like I was finally able to leverage my expertise as a product designer and materials engineer to develop a product that could make meaningful impact against climate change. Luckily this realization was coupled with my growing love for nature. If you're never been, northern New Mexico is one of the most naturally scenic, beautiful places on earth. Any free time I had, I spent outside. There was one hike I took that started at the bottom of a canyon and climbed to the top of one of the peaks of the Jemez Mountains. When I finally made it to the top, I looked over the land and the vibrant fall foliage and thought, "My life is so inconsequential compared to the geologic grandeur of the earth's cycles." Shortly after I committed to being one of those people that uses my short time to build a better future, and ensure that more generations could enjoy earth's natural beauty. I don't want to be a spectator. I want to be an agent of change. I get to be an agent of change. After 4 years in Los Alamos and Santa Fe, I moved to Boston and joined Form Energy after their series D. There I was designing and scaling materials characterization systems to support a big ass team of engineers and chemists. The goal was to bring down the price of long-duration renewable energy storage via iron-air batteries. It was a fun challenge, but my heart wasn't really in it. At the time I was teaching Engineering Design to high school kids through the MIT MITES program and mentoring other students around the world who were curious about tech and science. It brought me so much joy, I decided to pivot into education full-time. I now believe that the greatest impact I can have against climate change is in training the next generation of climate builders. I'll be dead and gone soon. If I can make sure to leave helpers in my place, the world will be a better place. Ask me about TKS if you want to learn more.

Laura Knaub: Why Did You Choose to Collaborate with 9Zero?

Andrés RM Velarde:

Lowkey, because I met Lowell, and on day one of our meeting they said 2 things that resonated with me deeply (see below). Leading up to that meet, I'd been networking with lots of folks in the Seattle tech ecosystem, and was realizing that sooooooo many people are top down thinkers. They confuse strategizing for making progress. This wasn't the vibe at 9Zero. Instead I felt a palpable bias for action and a deep desire to bring together bottom-up builders here.

• We're not doing enough. Climate's in the and we need to do more. NOW!

• I want to make a difference. What's the point of life and career if the goal is just to collect a tiny pile of gold coins? I don't want to die with regrets that I didn't do enough to help.

Laura Knaub: Do You Have a Favorite Spot or Feature at the Climate Hub?

Andrés RM Velarde: The kitchen and dining area. There's something so primal and beautiful about breaking bread with fellow humans. Food has the power to nourish and heal. We need more of both of those things in the world.

Laura Knaub: What’s Been Inspiring You Lately?

Andrés RM Velarde: Smart people working on hard problems. No shortage of those at 9Zero. More specifically, I find inspiration in my students every day. They have the bold (if not naive) optimism to ask important "what if" questions AND the energy to chase down the answers to those questions. We underestimate young people. My biggest insight as an educator has been that I'm more effective if I truly believe I have more to learn than I have to teach.

Laura Knaub: What core values guide your decisions and actions, both personally and professionally, and how do they shape the impact you want to make in the world?

Andrés RM Velarde: I love thinking in terms of principles instead of rules, because the former are adaptable while the latter are fixed.

I share these with my students each year in a session I call "life & success". The main takeaway is that life and your experiences are the biggest teachers. If we really observe ourselves, how we think, feel, and show up in the world, we start to identify what we actually hold dear and what is just noise. I want each of my kids to think for themselves, and decide what a joyfully fulfilled life means for them. the path to success is not linear.

1. Ask for what I want.
2. I have to work for it & continue to try my best.
3. Perfection does not exist.
4. Failure is inevitable if I keep iterating.
5. No human is exempt from pain. Suffering is optional.
6. Be kind & compassionate.
7. My actions give life meaning.
8. Reciprocity is about giving.
9. Question everything.
10. Be grateful. Be patient.

Laura Knaub: Any other question you'd like to answer?

Andrés RM Velarde: Q: Why do I work, toil, and fight for a better future?

A: Because I get to. Today, I woke up and was alive.