Leslie Palti-Guzman exchanges with Melanie Kenderline, principal of Energy Futures Initiative, dubbed as a low-carbon energy think tank. They discuss Turkey's ambitions to become a hub, but recent geopolitical tensions could slow down progress. Melanie dives into key drivers that make a functioning hub, including infrastructure and market design. This chat is full of anecdotes: working with 4 different energy secretaries, including former Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz, commuting on a weekly basis from New Mexico to Washington DC, working in two transition teams, having a supportive life partner. Melanie explains also her role as the C3E Symposium series ambassador, a joint MIT-DOE program to support the careers of women in clean energy with cash prizes.