Meet Kristi Growden. Although Kristi is not an entrepreneur today, she was in the past and has led the way for countless women who came after her. She’s the executive director of Element 8, a membership organization of
private accredited investors focused exclusively on clean technology and sustainability.

What Her Bio Says

“Kristi Growdon brings more than 20 years of leadership positions in government, academia, and the private sector. She is experienced in assisting start-ups, as well as small- to medium-sized companies.

Kristi brings a deep resume and skill set to Element 8. Past roles include the Director of the Washington State University Energy Office and the in-house lobbyist for WSU. Prior to that, her decade of service to federal and state agencies focused on advocacy in the fields of energy, renewable resources, agriculture, and transportation….Kristi is always happy to discuss her excitement about the future of clean technology over a fine glass of Washington-grown cabernet, or on a round at her favorite golf course.”

What Her Bio Doesn’t Say  

Kristi and I met just over a year ago and became fast friends. She has a sharp wit,  great taste in spirits, and although I don’t play golf, friends tell me she has major skills.  

She grew up in California where she learned that “hard work was enough to succeed; race, color, and sex were irrelevant.” She grew up believing the world was a fair place. However, leaving home and managing a swim club in the Bay Area opened her eyes. (Did I mention Kristi is also an accomplished swimmer? And has raced triathlons?) One way to earn a pay bonus in that job was to get people to sign up for swim lessons, so Kristi created a marketing plan that successfully recruited new young swimming students. However, some were not white, and white members of the community expressed their disdain for pool integration. This experience showed Kristi that the world was not the fair place she thought it was, so she doubled her efforts to get ahead.

Kristi’s first venture into the world of entrepreneurship was during the pre-dot-com era. California required (and still requires) that employers of a certain size offer alternatives to driving to work. Kristi’s start-up provided software that matched up carpool partners and snagged a government agency as her main client. This experience led her to the world of government work, and afterwards she worked her way up the ranks in several governmental organizations in the clean technology and energy fields.

During our interview, Kristi spoke about imposter syndrome. Impostor syndrome is usually experienced by high-achieving individuals who have an inability to internalize their accomplishments and face a persistent fear of being exposed as a fraud. Being the extraordinary woman she is, Kristi uses this fear to motivate her to “be prepared and continue learning.”

Kristi has tons of experience managing people, so I asked her about the importance of having women at the table. Her response came quickly: “Women bring a different perspective…The most complete and best decisions are made when we see a complete picture. That just cannot happen without men and women working together as equals.”   

Kernels of Wisdom from Kristi:

• Apply for the job you are not ready for. That’s right, you’ve heard it here again and again from each and every incredible woman I’ve interviewed – live outside of your comfort zone. “Without pushing yourself to do the thing you are not ready for you just cannot grow. Growth cannot come unless it’s challenging.”
• Know that you don’t know everything. “Listen to what others say and ask for help. This is not a sign of weakness.”
• Build a team. “In business, build a team based on what you want to accomplish – not based on bringing in our friends. Your team must have a common vision and the skills needed to accomplish that vision.”

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