In this episode, I sit down with Kitty Bu, whose career path has taken her from frontline journalism to the forefront of sustainable investing. Starting out as a reporter with Reuters, Kitty covered breaking news around the world — from natural disasters to geopolitical conflicts — driven by a mission to give voice to the voiceless.
A serendipitous introduction to sustainability pioneer Amory Lovins changed her trajectory. That moment catalyzed a major career pivot, pulling her out of the newsroom and into the world of energy innovation, systems thinking, and eventually impact investing.
We unpacked the personal side of that transition — from the high-adrenaline world of journalism to the long-game strategy of climate capital. Kitty opened up about the identity shift that came with leaving a clear label behind, and how her early exposure to human suffering now shapes her definition of value and responsibility.
At one point, I challenged her view on the role of passion in career choices — questioning whether it’s the best compass or a potentially misleading one. That led to an honest back-and-forth about purpose, momentum, and the balance between idealism and pragmatism.
This isn’t a typical ESG conversation. It’s a story about reinvention, resilience, and the real, unfiltered process of figuring out what work truly matters.