Meet Lauren Kuntz

Lauren Kuntz is a scientist, CEO and co-founder of Gaiascope and in her free time a decathlete. She met Jane at Harvard where they were both part of the Harvard Energy Journal Club. They began meeting beyond the weekly journal club and started talking about climate, soil, fashion, finance –how to make the seemingly impossible the obviously feasible over coffee, and a friendship bloomed. They continue to discuss issues and inspire one another in a rather special mutual admiration society. Lauren is also our muse/collaborator in developing peak performance garments.

What excites you about your work?
What doesn't excite me about my work? :) Everything. We are actively trying to not just reimagine a future world that is sustainable and equitable, but working to create it. There is no stronger proof in my mind that a carbon-free future is possible than showing how it can be done. At the same time, we're striving to redesign the financial and corporate norms that can support that vision. I also work with an absolutely brilliant team – I could not imagine a better co-founder who's drive endlessly reminds us of what we are capable of or for the rest of the team that makes overcoming the challenges ahead seem like an inevitability rather than a question mark.

What is one idea that has fundamentally changed you/your life trajectory?
When I was a junior in college, I had no idea what I wanted to do after graduation. I was talking it through with a mentor, Professor John Ochsendorf, who asked me: "How do you want to change the world?" That question completely altered my life path. By asking me that, Professor Ochsendorf gave me permission to have the audacity to think I could change the world - a thought I'd never truly considered. His question is what allowed me to think about life and what we fill it with on a whole new dimension.

What analog object or activity do you enjoy?
I LOVE handwriting letters. Especially to my grandma.

If you could live in another time period when/why?
This is a hard one - as a woman, huge parts of human history would frankly have sucked to live in. I think I'd honestly choose the future, as I'd be tremendously curious to see how the problems we are solving today pan out.

What has living during a pandemic taught you?
I've been incredibly fortunate to have made it thus far through the pandemic with minimal struggle – I am able to work remotely, my family and I have remained healthy - a luxury that many have not had. I do think it has highlighted how fragile our current way of living is - how as we continue to exploit nature, nature can rapidly dismantle the systems we take for granted.

In one sentence your positive prediction or hope for the future.
The human imagination and the catalyst of inspiration it provides gives me hope – once we can imagine the impossible, we can strive to make it not just possible, but a reality inspiring others to dream bigger along the way.