Hena Venugopal is an unwavering torchbearer of sustainable innovation in emerging technology. With a passion for climate action, a knack for digital intelligence, and a mastery of carbon markets, Hena is sculpting a brighter future for women and the world through the mesmerizing world of the Metaverse.
Her profound expertise, combined with her fervor for creating harmony with nature, translates into her life’s work. From Texas, USA, to the global stage, she is the spearhead of numerous ground-breaking initiatives, leading the charge towards a greener and more equitable world.
Pioneering Sustainability with Emerging Technologies
As the CEO of Envied FutuR and the Global Innovation and Sustainability Lead for N.C. John & Sons (NCJ), Hena is using emerging technology to make remarkable strides in the fight against climate change. NCJ, a sustainable fashion manufacturing leader, turns to cutting-edge technologies such as blockchain, Metaverse, and AI to boost the industry’s green credentials. “We are prototyping with phygital apparel, whose details are on embedded NFC tags backed by blockchain,” Venugopal shares. “Even when the apparel reaches the normal end of life and is being recycled, it will be easier for a robotic sorting and recycling due to the NFC-based information embedded related to materials/dyes used.”
Believe in your purpose and magnificence!
She is a thought leader and Sustainable Innovation for Good Evangelist at Envied FutuR. She is an international keynote speaker on climate action, digital intelligence, and carbon markets with over 20 years of experience. As a published author of the book, ‘Verse the Party,’ she creates an avenue for lifting the barriers of entry to the Metaverse and believes through collaboration as a global community, we can bring harmony back to Mother Earth. Hena is also the GreenTech Community Leader of Metagen, an advisor for Clean Incentive, and serves as Innovation Strategy Director at The Depository Trust and Clearing Corporation (DTCC.com).
At Metagen, Hena is involved in innovative projects like MetaForest. As part of a crowd-planting model, anyone can plant a tree anywhere in the world, mint it as a MetaNFTree, and trade or sell it as a voluntary carbon offset on their exchange platform. This decentralized approach merges the digital and physical worlds, promoting reforestation and reducing carbon footprints.
Empowering the Global Community
Hena’s ventures go beyond just the environment. They are designed to impact communities positively, promoting Fair Trade and mental health. Through her book, ‘Verse the Party,’ she creates an avenue for lifting the barriers of entry to web3, showing that technology can also be a source of fun and enjoyment. “Be it through blockchain or technologies based on XR, we need to come together as a community to create a positive impact towards harmonious living!” she asserts.
“Live wild with Nature” is the business mantra that guides Hena on her journey. She believes in maintaining a balance to ensure harmony in all aspects of life, a principle that echoes in her business models. As an advisor for Clean Incentive, she utilizes blockchain technology to transform data into a digital asset representing ESG attributes. This innovative approach creates market-based incentives for clean energy use, paving the way for a greener and more sustainable future.
Molding the Future with Technology
Hena believes in the transformative power of technology, which has the potential to shape our future and create a better world for generations to come. “AI and co-creation of design is a powerful mix,” she elaborates. “Computer vision and AI-augmented technologies can help with reversing and sorting the recycling pile of fashion returns, which is a huge problem we are facing now.” She also considers her work with The Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation (DTCC) to modernize SIFMU systems using distributed ledger technologies a significant milestone in her career. Project Ion, part of her work with DTCC, has been recognized as one of Forbes’ ‘Top 10 Magnificent Blockchain Projects,’ marking a momentous accomplishment in the realm of emerging tech. Hena is excited about the future and the potential impact she can make on climate change. She’s keenly aware of the challenges and changes in her industry, and believes that reversing the chain through AI, NFCs, and IoT can bring about significant transformations. For her, success isn’t a destination but a “viewstop in the long journey.” And what motivates her? “How we can reverse and restore the magnificence of life and Mother Earth using sustainable practices as a collaborative community,” she says.
Amplifying Women’s Voices in Tech
Hena acknowledges the challenges women face in her field. Her advice to fellow women forging paths in their respective fields? “It is tough when you are out of your comfort zone. Remember, everybody started with a small step, and it’s ok to fail. Never wait for the perfect moment, but start small now. Most importantly, never give up and work relentlessly towards your dreams. Be your own cheerleader!”
Her identity as a woman of color in the tech field has significantly influenced her journey. She emphasizes the need to remain emotionally strong and confidently voice one’s opinions amidst naysayers. The key, she believes, is to reinforce one’s purpose daily.
Hena embodies the power of merging tech and nature, showcasing how emerging technology can propel us toward a sustainable future. By leveraging her profound expertise, she continues to create platforms that challenge and inspire us to improve our world. “Believe in your purpose and magnificence!” she echoes once more. And she does so emphatically, reminding us that each step, each action we take, has the potential to shape not just our future but the future of our planet.
