Q&A with Leah Hess, marketing associate

We sat down with Leah Hess, our new marketing associate here at DG+. Based in Chicago, Leah comes to DG+ from Rev Innovations, an innovation firm focused on advancing low-carbon energy solutions. We’re excited to welcome Leah to the team and know her technical background will be a great asset to DG+. 

Tell us a bit about yourself.

I’m originally from Texas — I grew up in the Dallas suburbs, but moved to Austin for college. I did my undergrad at the University of Texas at Austin, where I majored in chemistry and minored in entrepreneurship and material science and engineering. That combination pushed me toward my graduate program. 

I moved to Chicago in 2022 to attend the University of Chicago, where I got my master’s in molecular engineering with a concentration in materials for sustainability. There, my work was focused on researching new electrolytes for batteries. That solidified my desire to pursue clean energy as a career. I’ve been in Chicago ever since! After graduating, I joined Rev Innovations, where I worked closely with startups and other investors in the green molecules and industrial decarbonization spaces, crafted marketing materials, and coordinated an impact and community engagement strategy. I have also explored science communication, technical writing, and data analysis across my various roles.

Outside of work, I enjoy reading, running, doing pottery, and attending concerts — everything from indie rock to hip hop to pop punk. I also have a cute little calico cat named Whiskey, who keeps me on my toes. 

Where did your interest in the environment come from?

It’s tough for me to trace it to one specific moment, but I've always been a huge animal lover and nature lover — it’s always been clear to me that taking care of the environment is a good thing to do. 

In high school, I got much more politically involved while learning more about environmental science in my classes. I saw all the evidence that made it clear to me that there’s such a need for this type of work, and I decided I wanted to pursue it as a career. I try to carry that mindset into my everyday life. I’ve been vegan since my junior year of high school, and I’m always looking for new ways to incorporate environmentalism into my habits. 

What’s your favorite part about working in the renewable energy sector?

I love how multidisciplinary the space is. You meet people who come from such a variety of personal, academic, and professional backgrounds, and there are so many different types of work that fall under the renewable energy umbrella. There’s always more to learn and more perspectives to hear. 

I also consider myself to be a pretty curious person, so this sector is great for scratching that itch and keeping life interesting.  

Why did you choose to work with DG+?

Aside from aligning with DG+’s mission, I've been wanting to bring more creativity into my work life. In my past roles, I’ve really enjoyed writing and the more client-facing aspects of different jobs. I think being in an agency setting will be a good opportunity to do all of those things. I’m looking forward to not only leveraging my existing skill set but also expanding into different creative mediums and learning more about the renewable energy industry and marketing principles.

What do you hope to accomplish while on the DG+ Team?

Along with deepening energy and marketing knowledge, I really want to find a way to successfully utilize my technical background in a way that will help clients and drive sustainability initiatives. I’m fascinated by the science behind climate tech; it’s an integral part of a brand or technology’s story, so I want to explore how to weave that into the narrative in a way that resonates with different audiences. I’m also excited to learn more about the solar industry, as that’s a corner of the climate world that’s fairly new to me. 

Near or far, where in the world would you want to travel to next?

I feel like I could keep listing places out all day! But I think I have to say Spain — that's been my answer for a few years now. I took Spanish all throughout school and I always wanted to study abroad there in college, but COVID kind of killed those dreams for me. I'm very out of practice, but I think it'd be fun to practice my Spanish, hike, see the architecture, eat paella, and drink wine. Mexico City is another dream along similar lines!

I also just went to Hong Kong with my partner, which was my first international travel experience. We did a lot of hiking, shopping, and exploring, experienced the nightlife, and ate lots of good Cantonese food. The 15-hour plane ride there was brutal, but the whole experience eased me into international travel — I’m hopeful I’ll get to travel more soon!

What's your favorite way to spend a day off?

I like to stay busy. I’ll usually start out with a run or a gym session and a cup of coffee or two before I spend some quality time with my cat. Later, I’ll work on one of my passion projects; it changes often, but I’m currently teaching myself music production and practicing getting better at guitar. In the evening, I’d check out an event or a new restaurant in the city and then go see a movie. 

During the summer, though, I’m content to go sit on the beach all day! 

Tell us something fun or maybe unexpected about yourself.

During COVID, I had a lot of time on my hands. I have some tattoos myself, so I remember thinking, “Tattooing looks fun — let me try it.” So I ordered a tattoo gun off Amazon. 

I’ll occasionally give my friends little tattoos. It started out as a funny thing, but it’s turned into a nice creative outlet. It’s definitely pushed me to learn to draw better and practice different styles.