#86 From Diplomacy to Decarbonization: Irina Filippova’s Bold Journey into the Future of Energy

Meet Irina Filippova, the fearless trailblazer who swapped a career in diplomacy for a front-row seat in the energy and transportation revolutions. Born in Moscow to a nuclear scientist, Irina took a hard left from splitting atoms to bridging cultures, then pivoted again—this time into reshaping the energy landscape at BP. She’s the kind of leader who doesn’t just talk about change; she makes it happen, whether she’s revamping gas stations into sustainability hubs or electrifying entire fleets. With a dash of diplomacy, a ton of curiosity, and a knack for jumping into the unknown, Irina proves that courage and a good sense of humor are key to leading through global transformations. Key Highlights of Our Interview: Moscow Roots and Global Aspirations “I grew up surrounded by science—my father was a nuclear scientist—but my passion was languages and cultures. Choosing diplomacy as a career was a bold step, especially for a woman in Moscow, but it opened doors to a world of possibilities.” A Curiosity-Led Career Path “My journey has been anything but linear. At 35, I realized I wasn’t drawn to the idea of a traditional career path. Instead, I wanted to explore different facets of energy, leading me from corporate giants to startups—and each step fueled my curiosity further.” Turning the Lens Inward “I initially focused on the need for external leaders to change, but studying psychology at the Carl Jung Institute revealed a profound truth: the change had to start within me. Only by addressing my own internal growth could I effectively guide others.” Solving the Fleet Transition Equation “Fleet owners face a daunting challenge: embracing electrification without losing focus on their core business. Our mission is to handle everything from sourcing energy to ensuring reliability, allowing them to electrify without added burdens.” _________________________ Connect with us: Host: Vince Chan | Guest: Irina Filippova Chief Change Officer: Make Change Ambitiously. Experiential Human Intelligence for Growth Progressives Global Top 3% Podcast on Listen Notes World's #1 Career Podcast on Apple Top 1: US, CA, MX, IE, HU, AT, CH, FI, JP 2.5 Millions+ Downloads 50+ Countries --Chief Change Officer-- Change Ambitiously. Outgrow Yourself. Open a World of Expansive Human Intelligence for Transformation Gurus, Black Sheep, Unsung Visionaries & Bold Hearts. EdTech Leadership Awards 2025 Finalist. 20 Million+ All-Time Downloads. 80+ Countries Reached Daily. Global Top 1% Podcast. Top 5 US Business. Top 1 US Careers. >>>180,000+ are outgrowing. Act Today.<<<