- Natural resources as the through line. Emily's career has moved from upstream oil in Texas to wind power, biofuels and now advanced nuclear. What connects them is a focus on making the most of natural resources and managing them responsibly.
- Nuclear is back because of clean baseload. For years nuclear was seen as old, risky technology. Emily says its moment has come because data centers and industry need power that is both clean and constant.
- Commercial success starts with the other side. Having taught negotiation, Emily argues you should spend as much time understanding the other party's goals and pain points as your own. Good questions and good information are what create deals that add value for everyone.
- Lead cooling changes where reactors can go. Blykalla's lead-cooled reactors run at atmospheric pressure, which allows much smaller emergency planning zones. A reactor can sit around 100 meters from the facility it powers, and units can be built in a factory and moved by road.
- Sweden is de-risking the first projects. Sweden's government can support 80% of project costs with state loans at sovereign rates, alongside guaranteed returns and contracts for difference. Emily says that helps get early projects with hyperscalers and data center developers financed, while bankability is still a live conversation in the US.
- Impossible or just difficult. Emily's best hire answered an interview question with a childhood lesson: is something truly impossible, or merely difficult? Emily applies the same test to her own career, choosing roles where she can make the biggest impact at the time.
Kirsty is a New York–based Senior Executive Search Consultant and Head of Metric Exec, where she leads and scales Metric’s global executive search offering. She partners with private equity firms, funds, and industry leaders to deliver transformational senior-level talent across Energy, Infrastructure & Real Assets. Holding an undergraduate degree in Psychology and an MBA, Kirsty combines commercial acumen with deep people insight. She has built and advised more than 30 high-performing teams, recognized for securing leaders who deliver both technical excellence and cultural fit. Her work spans the full Energy, Infrastructure & Real Assets spectrum. Passionate about climate impact and sustainability, Kirsty is dedicated to connecting visionary companies with the executive talent driving the future of global energy and infrastructure.
