We have much to learn from each other

By Valerie Shen

My professional experiences have focused on combatting climate change through interdisciplinary collaboration across the public and private sectors. My work has spanned four continents and touched topics ranging from energy (dirty and clean) to transportation to the future of work. Most recently I was Partner & Chief Operating Officer at G2 Venture Partners, a climate-tech venture fund in the Bay Area. Soon I’m headed to Oxford to pursue a Master of Public Policy.

I first encountered Atlantik-Brücke when a friend offered to nominate me for the Young Leaders Program. I jumped on this opportunity as I love learning and interdisciplinary discussions. Atlantik-Brücke specifically appealed to me due to the focus on open societies and free trade, as well as individual freedom and democracy. As our world becomes increasingly siloed and people are scared to say what they truly think lest they be “cancelled,” building genuine cross-cultural connections in an environment designed to facilitate honest dialogue is the best path to ensuring truth prevails and achieving optimal outcomes. In my venture capital role, I was responsible for climate impact and ESG (Environmental Social Governance) diligence / measurement / reporting. Climate change is such a global problem and Europe has emerged as a strong leader in designing potential solutions, making this a prime topic for transatlantic collaboration. Last summer my team made our first German investment, and we are increasingly working with European investors.

I really appreciated digging into social and economic policy debates with other participants who vehemently disagreed with me.

Our week together changed my perspectives in so many ways. First – Detroit really impressed me, defying stereotypes of a dying city. I grew up nearby in Wisconsin, but this was my first trip to Detroit. The revitalized downtown, the modernized factories, and most importantly the hard-working people behind these movements were inspirational. Second – I was surprised by the extent to which Germany and America are facing similar challenges, from immigration to security to energy supply to social unrest. We have much to learn from each other! Finally, I really appreciated digging into social and economic policy debates with other participants who vehemently disagreed with me. I learned so much by being pushed to defend views that were often the most conservative in the room, realizing gaps in my knowledge or logic, and truly understanding perspectives on the other side. Multiple times I was deeply impressed by the data-driven rigor behind positions I previously discounted.

Of course, by far the most meaningful takeaways are the friendships and connections that I trust will endure for years. I look forward to watching this group continue to change the world and hope to be helpful in their journeys. I was particularly impressed by how many participants already have influential policy roles at such a young age, from serving in parliament to running think tanks – this has pushed me to think bigger as I transition from the business world to the public sector. Finally, I loved hearing everyone’s personal transatlantic stories, as I am actively considering how to build a life across multiple cultures and geographies that is impactful and exciting but still grounded in community.

Valerie Shen is a Young Leader Alumna from the class of 2024. Recently she was Partner & Chief Operating Officer at G2 Venture Partners.