Heather Clancy ─ award-winning journalist specializing in transformative technology and innovation...
February 2, 2021 • 3 Minute Read
Heather Clancy
Editorial Director
GreenBiz Group
Are you looking for a top technology journalist leveraging her background to chronicle how technology aids corporate climate action? We know the person—Heather Clancy.
Heather is an award-winning journalist specializing in transformative technology and innovation. Her latest articles have appeared in Entrepreneur, Fortune, The International Herald Tribune and The New York Times. She covers the role of technology in enabling clean energy, sustainable business strategy, and the low-carbon economy. Prior to pursuing her passion for green technology, she was an editor of Computer Reseller News, the leading publication for the IT channel in the US market.
Please meet this IT Wondrous Woman™, Heather Clancy!
Our 10 Questions for this IT Wondrous Woman.
Fun Facts
1. What’s the one thing about you that your business colleagues don’t know about you?
I am a regional barbershop quartet medalist singer, two times over.
2. Before the pandemic, how many air miles/KMs did you flying annually?
Too many for my husband’s taste, but not enough to impress any of the other women on this list.
3. What is the most adventurous food you have eaten and what city/location did you eat it?
Overly spicy lionfish ceviche in Bonaire, after scuba diving with too many of this invasive species earlier in the day.
While on a business trip to Norway, I tried a fermented fish dish - quite tasty!
Your Career
4. What are the top two experiences, achievements or failures that shaped your journey as a successful leader?
One was a revelation: In my early days as an editor, a co-worker cared enough about me to share that some of my team perceived me as unapproachable. I tend to be introverted, so this was a wakeup call. I think of this advice to this day whenever I am annoyed about being interrupted.
The second happened the day I was laid off from a job I poured my heart and soul into for close to two decades. As news leaked out, another editor called and asked me to start writing for him, about any topic. I chose green technology issues — my emerging passion at the time — and here I am today. I can’t thank him enough for giving me the confidence to try.
5. Did you have a mentor in the early part of your career and, if so, what is the biggest lesson you learned from your mentor or influencer?
What you leave out of the story is just as important as what you decide to include. Don’t try to say everything.
Walking In Your Shoes
6. What is one piece of business or career advice you would give to your younger self?
Don’t try to please everyone, which means saying “No” to things that distract you from your path. Note to self: Be decisive about it and don’t second-guess the decision.
7. As a leader, how do you remain a resource for people early in their careers?
I frequently speak with early-career reporters or editors interested in corporate sustainability. If they have questions, I feel compelled to help them find answers because for me climate change is the most important topic any journalist could embrace as a coverage beat.
Today’s Business Environment
8. What is the most interesting project you have worked on in the last few years?
My book with marketing legendary Christopher Lochhead. I never envisioned myself as a co-author, especially for someone as profane and irreverent as he is. I missed the collaboration when the project was over.
9. What skills are you currently developing or refining (in yourself) that will make you a more successful leader in the digital economy?
Being present, empathetic and authentic.
10. What is your greatest business challenge today?
Finding the real signals about what I should be writing about, amid the cacophony of “news” that assaults my eyes and ears every day. In an age of analytics, I have to admit that I often trust my gut just as much as “the data.”
