Drawing inspiration from the memory of Boryana Straubel

May 1983 - June 2021
Stanford MS&E MS, 2019, MSx 2020

Boryana’s memory is an inspirational beacon for Stanford Climate Ventures students and the teaching team.

The incredible life of Boryana Straubel, her passion for people, entrepreneurship, and addressing climate change, along with her style and professional contributions, are all uniquely emblematic of the heart of Stanford Climate Ventures and the students and teaching team who participate in the class.

She had the power to shift the energy in the room, uplifting us all.

Her focus on human potential and the importance of addressing climate change was central to her life’s work. She loved to teach the importance of failure as a tool to help us build into the best versions of ourselves. Boryana was an advocate of bold thinking about the future, high standards, constant innovation, and inclusion. She modelled teamwork, leadership, humility, hard work, grace, pride, and courage.

The SCV teaching team all knew Boryana (in different circumstances) and we all drew inspiration from her passion for addressing climate change as captured in the videos below.

Boryana's Timeless Messages

Stanford Energy Week June 2020

Failure builds confidence

You can be an innovator

Find your purpose. Do it for yourself.

The most inspiring leaders I've ever met openly shared their failures

The real test starts after you have failed

purpose

A life of inspiration,

and heart.

How we will always remember Boryana:

  • A dedicated mother of amazing twin boys.

  • A grateful daughter to her remarkable mother, who worked hard to provide for her and plays a loving role in helping raise the twins.

  • An incredible wife and partner to her husband, JB, to whom she shared a deep dedication to building their family together. They met early on at Tesla working long hours and sharing a common set of values around a commitment to make Tesla the strongest and most sustainable company it could be.

  • A loving sister to her brother with whom she cherished their collaborations centered on social and sustainability impact.

  • A devoted social entrepreneur building and co-leading Straubel Foundation and launching a sustainable gold jewelry business Generation Collection.

  • A super engaged Stanford student (MS&E MS, 2019, MSx 2020) with a bold focus on innovation for decarbonization.

  • An uplifting, positive, passionate human committed to making everything around her better. Boryana’s early life in Bulgaria seemed to lead her to view many things as precious that many of us take for granted.


    More about the life and legacy of Boryana Straubel here.