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Owning your Own Power
Jessica O. Matthews
CEO of Uncharted, Innovator and Social Entrepreneur, Trailblazing Energy Advocate
- Founded award-winning power and data infrastructure tech company credited with inventing an energy generating soccer ball and revolutionizing vision AI in energy efficiency
- Mission-driven leader who values positive social impact and inspires audience to use innovation and technology to meet everyday needs
- Recognized as Fortune’s Most Promising Women Entrepreneurs, 30 Under 30 list for Forbes and Inc., and Scientist of the Year by Harvard University
- Powerhouse speaker dedicated to using technology to change the world
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Innovation, entrepreneurship, and social responsibility have always been intrinsic to Jessica O. Matthews, even from a young age. At just 19, she invented SOCCKET, an energy-generating soccer ball that reflects her vision for a better world. Matthews was inspired by her experiences in Nigeria, when she noticed the reliance on dangerous diesel generators during power outages. She addressed a community need and created a safer alternative that harnesses power from an everyday activity to provide a source of light.
Her invention of SOCCKET exemplifies Matthews’ unique blend of altruism and a disruptive technological mindset that encourages her audience to embrace innovation and actively contribute to positive change. She channeled these qualities into founding Uncharted, an award-winning sustainable-infrastructure company that empowers small and under-resourced cities. As CEO, she takes her social responsibility seriously, creating solutions that enhance access to energy, water, air, and transit. Notably, Matthews has revolutionized vision AI in energy efficiency, developing technology that employs “smart photos” to visually assess homes. These photos then determine potential savings on energy bills and qualifying rebates. Matthews is committed to preserving the unique identities of the cities she serves, asserting that citizens shouldn’t have to "leave where they are from to get where they are going."
Exclusively represented by Leading Authorities speakers bureau, Jessica O. Matthews captivates audiences with her engaging presentation style. A relatable, down-to-earth speaker, she refers to herself as a “blend of Beyoncé and Bill Nye the Science Guy.” Her enthusiasm engages audiences, and she often jumps rope on stage to demonstrate her innovations in an interactive way. This personable approach allows her to connect deeply with her audience, fostering an honest dialogue about the challenges and opportunities in innovation. Matthews leaves audiences feeling inspired and motivated to create solutions that disrupt the status quo and encourages them to meet the needs of real people and communities. Her ability to tailor her message to resonate with the unique interests and experiences of each audience ensures that her insights are both relevant and impactful.
Jessica’s success in entrepreneurship led to a White House invitation from President Barack Obama to represent small companies for the signing of the America Invents Act in 2012. In 2016, she raised what was at the time the largest Series A round ever raised by a black female founder in history and was selected to ring the NASDAQ opening ceremony bell, representing all Forbes 30 Under 30 alumni. In 2021, Jessica was officially appointed by Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm to the Electricity Advisory Committee. As a member of the Smart Grid subcommittee, she plays a key role in advising the Department of Energy on the ways we can modernize our nation’s electric delivery system, specifically focusing on accelerating the deployment of electric vehicle charging stations throughout the U.S.
A dual citizen of Nigeria and the United States, Jessica has a degree in psychology and economics from Harvard University, an MBA from Harvard Business School, and is listed on over 12 patents and patents pending. Her list of accolades includes Fortune’s Most Promising Women Entrepreneurs, Forbes 30 Under 30, Inc. Magazine 30 Under 30 and Female Founders 100, Harvard University Scientist of the Year, One Young World Entrepreneur of the Year, the Muhammad Ali Humanitarian Award, and Black Women Tech Talk’s Tech Trailblazer Award. She has appeared on the cover of Forbes and Forbes Africa, as well as featured in Marie Claire, Wired, Inc., TechCrunch, The New York Times, and Fast Company, among others.
Speaker Video
Jessica O. Matthews: Innovation Is a Fight
Uncharted Power
Sustainability can be fun: Jessica Matthews at TEDxRio+20
Jessica O. Matthews at The Aspen Institute
Jessica O. Matthews on Owning Who You Are | Impact Theory
How Innovation Inspires Hope. In a world often filled with uncertainty and division, Jessica O. Matthews explores how innovation serves as a beacon of hope. She encourages audiences to view innovation not just as a process but as a transformative mindset that empowers teams to stay focused and motivated amidst burnout and distraction. Drawing from her diverse experiences, Jessica illustrates how cultivating an innovative spirit fosters resilience and inspires individuals to embrace change as a path forward. Jessica engages the audience with relatable stories and actionable strategies, inspiring attendees to harness hope for innovative solutions and a brighter future.
Purposeful Pivoting: Unlocking Innovation in Your Organization. The business landscape is constantly evolving, and leaders and their teams are tasked with keeping up with, and getting ahead of, constant disruption. But what does the current business landscape look like for your organization and industry, and how can you pivot to continue carrying out your organization’s vision for its future?
If you’re exploring innovation and adaptation for your business, infrastructure industry disruptor Jessica O. Matthews shares how her groundbreaking company, Uncharted, has pivoted in the new business world by doubling down on its mission. She draws from her experiences leading through change to outline an actionable framework for how any organization can arrive at breakthrough solutions that will expedite their business’s journey to growth. In doing so, she discusses:
- The challenges she has faced as a business leader and how they have directly sparked her company’s most innovative initiatives
- The need for companies to see beyond their own path and understand how they interconnect with other businesses and society as a whole
The AI Revolution at Work: Leading Change and Overcoming Fears in a Rapidly Evolving World. As one of today’s most innovative and purpose-driven minds, Jessica O. Matthews explores the transformative power of AI and its potential to evolve the workplace and beyond. In this insightful talk, she delves into how AI accelerates the journey from idea to product, enabling teams to achieve more with fewer resources while addressing the practical challenges leaders face when embracing AI. Drawing from her experiences leading a cutting-edge company and serving on the USDOE EAC Smart Grid subcommittee, Jessica discusses the balance between innovation and responsibility, offering actionable strategies for integrating AI into workflows while addressing critical concerns such as privacy, security, and unintended consequences. Audience members will leave empowered to embrace AI-driven change, unlock innovation, and lead confidently in today’s fast-paced, tech-driven world.
The Blueprint for Empathetic and Sustainable Leadership: Innovating with Purpose and Social Responsibility. As the founder and CEO of the groundbreaking sustainable infrastructure company Uncharted, Jessica O. Matthews champions empathy as the key to driving innovation that creates meaningful, positive change for people and communities. Drawing from her work in helping cities develop smart, sustainable infrastructure solutions that prioritize social responsibility, she shows how empathetic leadership can elevate team dynamics, inspire innovative problem-solving, and create inclusive workplaces where individuals thrive. Jessica’s approach emphasizes that true leadership goes beyond business success—it requires a commitment to sustainability and addressing the real-world needs of people. She inspires audiences to lead with empathy, make socially responsible decisions, and create solutions that leave a lasting impact on the environment and the communities they serve.
Going Against Your Plan to Unlock Your Destiny. If entrepreneurial innovator and Uncharted CEO Jessica O. Matthews had followed through with the plans others had for her — and that she had for herself — she may never have set out on the path that has led to her becoming one of the leaders transforming cities across the world to be smarter and more equitable for all. Growing up, there were few examples for her to follow as a diverse woman making an impact in tech. Still her aptitude and ingenuity in tech and innovation were undeniable, and it led Jessica to discover the path that was always meant for her.
In this talk, Jessica reflects on her own story — beginning as a game-changing inventor in the renewable energy space to becoming one of the leaders powering the smart city revolution — to lead an eye-opening conversation on how each person can unlock their own destiny. As she outlines valuable strategies and action steps anyone can use to align their plans to purpose in pursuit of their destiny, she empowers a mindset shift that helps people get out of their own way on the journey to achieving everything they are capable of, and more.
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