Paula Bejarano \\ SVP Business Development & Sales at Benteler Mobility
Paula has over 7 years of experience in electrification and autonomous technology. She’s worked at startups and incumbent companies bringing to market new technologies that impact transportation and society. She’s also authored “Autonomousity: Autonomous Vehicles & Emerging Business Models”. She has a master in mechanical engineering and MBA from Georgetown University.
There’s an incredible potential to make transportation safe, reliable, and inclusive.
Why transportation?
It affects every individual’s daily life from going to work, school or home to enabling access to everyday goods like food, clothing, and medicine. With technological advances in automation, electrification, connectivity, and cloud infrastructure, there’s an incredible potential to make transportation safe, reliable, and inclusive.
What’s your favorite way to get around the YPT-NYC region?
The NYC Ferry System. I live in Long Island City, Queens and cross the East River almost daily to midtown Manhattan. The views are incredible, and the ride is definitely a treat during summer days.
If you could snap your fingers and make one change to regional transportation, what would it be?
Include more train lines to upstate New York to take advantage of the mountains all-year around for outdoor activities such as hiking, camping and skiing.
Who inspires you?
Amelia Earhart, as she faced challenges being the only woman in her industry, broke through ‘the sky ceiling’, and was a visionary of innovative transportation technology (commercial aviation).
What advice would you give to your younger self?
Take more entrepreneurial risks. Early on in my engineering career, I tended to take the safer, corporate route, as you’re advised to do so. However, taking risks or working on difficult and uncertain products which may change the world, is always easier when you’re younger (less responsibilities, more flexibility).
What are you working on currently that you’re most excited about?
I commercialize autonomous vehicles for cities and transit agencies so people in the community can eventually have access to public transit that’s affordable, effective and accessible to everyone. I love the mission and the everyday challenges/rewards of launching an innovative transportation solution.
Do you have a favorite transportation book, blog, newsletter, podcast, or YouTube channel?
The Autonocast podcast is a great resource to understand the dynamics of the autonomous vehicle industry including incumbents and new entrants. They also host interviews with company CEOs, technology experts, with a touch of editorial view and comedy.
What is your favorite transportation-related fun fact or joke?
Windshield wipers were invented by a woman, Mary Anderson in 1903.
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