Ep 391: Sustainability Leader Beth Rattner on Biomimicry, Infrastructure, and Learning from Nature

This episode is sponsored by Endeavour.

How can the infrastructure we build support life rather than work against it?

For Beth Rattner, senior director of impact at Endeavour, that question has taken her from law and technology to sustainability, biomimicry, circularity, and infrastructure, where she’s now exploring how data centers could become vehicles for solving community challenges rather than creating new ones.

In this conversation with Larry Guthrie, director of content strategy at the Society of Women Engineers (SWE), Beth shares examples of what engineers can learn from nature, from quieter fans inspired by owl wings to carbon-negative cement modeled on how coral reefs form. She explains how companies can use waste heat to purify contaminated water, turn waste streams into useful materials, and even restore the soil.

Hear why cross-disciplinary collaboration matters, how biomimicry can open up new design possibilities, and how forward-thinking engineers can connect with the Endeavour team at WE26 in Boston.

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The Society of Women Engineers (SWE) is a powerful, global force uniting nearly 45,000 members of all genders spanning 90+ countries. We are the world’s largest advocate and catalyst for change for women in engineering and technology.

To join and access all the exclusive benefits to elevate your professional journey, visit https://membership.swe.org