Using technology to direct progress
Anushree Sreedhar serves as the Director of Innovation Programs at the Partnership for New York City and is pivotal in promoting innovation within the NYC Department of Environmental Protection, which oversees the largest wastewater infrastructure in the United States.
With a solid foundation in engineering and technology, Anushree advocates for progressive startups and technologies in the water and wastewater sectors, effectively maneuvering through New York City's regulatory landscape to foster the implementation of innovative solutions.
Her dedication to employing technology for societal benefit is manifested in her initiatives, such as developing machine learning models for City Harvest and spearheading projects centered around vertical farming.
Anushree possesses expertise in analytics, emerging technologies, and product management, honed through her experience at notable companies, including Yext and Bowery. Additionally, she holds a patent for a unique fire extinguishing design, a testament to her inventive spirit.
Reflecting on her formative years in Seychelles, Anushree recalls how her love for nature flourished, which later evolved during her move to NYC and New Jersey, sparking her creativity and leading to technological endeavors such as a podcast and blog alongside her sister and friends.
Her passion is further inspired by her Kerala heritage, her mother's Ayurvedic interests, and her grandfather's engineering contributions during India's independence, guiding her towards engineering and civic engagement.
At the Partnership for New York City, her objective is clear: transform the critical infrastructure surrounding water and wastewater management. Anushree's drive for innovation in sectors crucial to society stems from recognizing the importance of water in agriculture, healthcare, and daily life.
She highlights the often-overlooked complexity of the infrastructure that supplies clean water to New Yorkers and stresses the significance of responsible water management, especially considering past crises like Flint, Michigan.
Anushree acknowledges the regulatory challenges in NYC, aiming to balance innovation with compliance. Her approach encourages the city to trial new technologies without incurring costs, thus promoting the exploration of advancements while minimizing risks. This strategy enables early-stage tech companies to collaborate with city agencies, dismantling bureaucratic barriers that hinder progress.
Her commitment is to enhance urban health by improving water systems and ensuring compliance with environmental standards that protect public health and elevate New Yorkers' quality of life. Through cutting-edge technology integration, the Partnership aids city agencies, allowing them to modernize operations.
The Environmental Tech Lab, in conjunction with the NYC Department of Environmental Protection, has fostered eight innovative startups that provide solutions for sewer inspections and energy recovery through hydropower.
Anushree’s dedication to transformative projects, like her patented fire extinguishing design conceived during her undergraduate years, showcases her commitment to using engineering for social good.
This project, inspired by a personal incident involving a fire, marked a formative chapter in her journey where she recognized her capacity to tackle societal challenges through a creative and human-centered approach. Engaging with local firehouses and the public solidified her understanding of fire safety and highlighted her potential to innovate meaningful solutions that can save lives, reinforcing her lifelong commitment to impactful technology and design.
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