Powering Your Career- Donald Jenkins - COO - Fotowatio Renewable Ventures (FRV) - ep029

In Episode 029 of Powering Your Career, David Smith sits down with Donald Jenkins, Chief Operating Officer at Fotowatio Renewable Ventures (FRV), whose career has taken him from the US Marine Corps and US Navy submarine program to technology, data science and renewable energy. After more than 20 years in the military, Don made the decision to completely reinvent his career and pursue a future in clean energy. That journey would eventually bring him to Australia and his current leadership role with FRV Australia. In this episode, Don and Dave discuss: • What more than 20 years in the military taught him about discipline, teamwork and leadership • Making difficult decisions under pressure and why preparation matters • How he deliberately built a new professional network when changing careers • Why leaders need to challenge assumptions and create a shared understanding of data • How AI can help people distil information, make better decisions and work more effectively • What moving to Australia taught him about starting again in a new market • Building high-performing teams through role clarity, empowerment and trust • Why mentoring remains important at every stage of your career • Mental health, managing stress and being honest about when you're under pressure • The importance of social licence and community engagement to Australia's energy transition From career reinvention and leadership to AI, mentoring and the future of energy, this is a wide-ranging conversation with plenty of practical insights for anyone building a career or leading people in the sector. 🎧 Subscribe to Powering Your Career for more conversations with the people shaping Australia's energy transition.