Barbara Hanna, Scientific Visionary, Admirer of Apple Corp and Chef Hobbyist 

They say the worst thing in life is simply not to try, but for a perfectionist like Barbara Hanna, that is a moot point — Barbara is a technologist, innovator and doer. She is passionate about fostering technology and growing businesses that educate, empower and/or connect individuals.

She is also a “cyantist” and is the co-founder of cyant (cyant.co), a start-up that connects technology and arts by putting 3D printing in the hands of a new breed of “cyantists” to educate, empower women, create jobs and foster economic development.

Beyond technology, Barbara and I share a common bond around chocolate, tea, and the arts. We also have a passion for cooking (FYI, Barbara makes a mean molten chocolate cakes with homemade vanilla ice cream).

Barbara defines the word energetic – she is definitely full STEAM (as she notes in her “pitch” for Cyant below!).

Who are your heroes?
There are a lot of people who are inspirational for different reasons in my eyes:  many scientists who quietly make profound contributions that end up changing the world; doctors, firefighters, etc. who save lives while endangering their own; survivors who defy the odds; and many anonymous women in the world who brave each day more than a lot of us will ever know.

But to highlight a few well-known people:

• • • Some women from the past with extraordinary drive and accomplishments, and whose work and achievements are only made greater by the fact that their era allowed so few women to gain recognition: the scientist Marie Curie, the brilliant artist Camille Claudel, and later, the aviator Amelia Earhart to name a few.
    • More recently: Sally Ride, the first American woman (and to this day youngest American) in space; the chef and restaurateur Alice Waters for her pioneering contributions to the local, organic food movement and education.
    • I’d also mention people who are dedicated to bringing to light the beauty of our planet and sciences — like Jacques Cousteau, the astrophysicist Hubert Reeves, an amazing popularizer of science back in the 80’s who had a profound effect on me as a kid. Entrepreneurs like Yvon Chouinard, for the kind of company he has made of Patagonia and the initiatives he has established/contributed to through the company. Plus Steve Jobs and Elon Musk.

What is your current challenge?
Completing this interview in time for you (Interviewer’s note: Barbara like bouts of humor…)

I spend a lot of time on vision and execution. A challenge is to dedicate more time to communication. Luckily we are in a more and more visual and interactive era so that helps, but prioritizing more time for all forms is something I am working on.

Also, Cyant is in an early stage, but I am setting the company up to be a B Corporation [a corporate form for benefit or non-profit entities]. The challenge is not the status, but more that it is not yet as widely recognized and funded as other structures. The good part though is that it is a growing community, the experience is going to be rewarding at many levels, and if successful, Cyant will be an inherently impactful and forward-thinking company.

What is your motto?
The following quotes are life maxims I keep in mind and have proved more often than not to be true:

• • • “Nothing can substitute experience.” (Coehlo)
    • “The most effective way to do it, is to do it.” (Earhart)
    • “No act of kindness, however small, is ever wasted” (Aesop)
    • “It is only with the heart that one can see rightly.” (de Saint-Exupery)
    • “Start by doing what is necessary; then what is possible; then suddenly you are doing the impossible.” (St. Francis of Assisi)
    • And when there’s a will, there’s definitely a way.

Why are you an entrepreneur?
I’ve always been passionate about using, developing and/or fostering technology to address needs, solve problems and help people in innovative ways — though the solutions are not just about “technology.”

What problem are you solving?
I am looking at two things

1. On the practical level, the (ever-increasing) need for engaging content and experiences that produce meaningful connections through tangible outcomes — and doing this in ways that acknowledge diversity. Examples: at conferences and events; for community building and/or charity fundraising; in the classroom, to maximize the learning impact, foster creativity and enhance future job prospects.

2. And the second question is how to solve the first problem in ways that use both Arts and Technology, and multi-sensoriality. Technology seems to be increasingly emphasized over arts and humanities but the balance is fundamental to foster engagement, creativity and innovative problem solving. The arts are an essential motor in human, social and cultural expression and development, and the arts and STEM fields are very much linked, constantly providing contexts for each other’s development.

In past few months, I have been primarily addressing these questions using 3D printing. It has been great to see the reception to and outcomes of the initial applications.

What problem would you like solved?
I’ve always said we should have teleporters! So that and space travel/exploration does this make me a nerd?). Here on earth, addressing climate change is a priority. The protection of biodiversity and sustainable (and urban) are two important themes.

Your pitch in 140 characters?
“Cyant connects art and technology to educate, engage and empower, full STEAM ahead.”

The J.O.B. you’d actually like?
In a next life, I’ll consider being a chef!

Biggest misconception about being an entrepreneur is?
That success is overnight, and that you need to be in your 20’s or 30’s. It takes time, perseverance, and experience is a plus, as it is a constant process of iteration and learning: about the problems you are trying to solve, how to best solve them, your customers, your company, your peers and yourself.

Inc. or Rolling Stone or…..? Which magazine cover?
Between Inc. and Rolling Stone? Obviously Inc. would be great, but Rolling Stone! Given the focus on connecting art with technology, making the crossover to such a publication would be significant (not too many tech people on the Rolling Stone cover – Steve Jobs was the only one?).  And I would get tattoos for the occasion!

Other: FastCompany, Wired or Make Magazine – their covers have overall featured relatively few women. If we are to encourage and inspire more women and girls into tech spaces, open the possibilities for how technology is embodied, and increase visibility for women’s accomplishment in the field generally, more women also need to be featured on their covers.

What are you reading?
Three books: Designing Design by Kenya Hara – I have had it for some time but I pick it up every once in a while. How to Live: A Life of Montaigne, by Sarah Bakewell. And The Red Pyramid by Rick Ryordan– I promised my son!

What book is your must read?
The Little Prince by de St Exupery.  On the business side: Good to Great by Jim Collins. And Lean methodology books (Steve Blank’s to start with).

What conference would you like to keynote?
One conference I’d be very excited to appear at — forget about keynoting it — is an Apple Conference, for a lot of reasons, but one being: how many women have talked at an Apple Conference? (Though Angela Ahrendt, now on the senior team at Apple, will perhaps talk at the next conference?)

Short cut, long route, road less travelled? What’s your roadmap?
There is a lot to be learned from the tortoise and the hare. There is also a lot to be said about following your guts/instincts.

Podium you’d like to stand on?
An Olympic one. In a next life! 

One place in time you’d like to visit?
I’ve always wanted to visit the future, and 50 years from now is where I’d start. As far as the past goes, choosing one place is too difficult!

Part of the trick to staying focused? 

• • • Creating an environment that minimizes those things that distract you.
    • Be very clear and determined about your goals.
    • A diet that works for you, plus enough rest and downtime, help as well.