Andrea Blair

Andy is the co-founder and Director of Business & Innovation at Upflow, a geothermal innovation company that builds expert science and engineering teams to provide intelligent solutions to global industry. Andy is the Immediate Past President of the International Geothermal Association (Netherlands), and Co-founder (2013) of Women in Geothermal (WING), 3500 members in 86 countries, a global movement for the empowerment and advancement of women within the industry.

Andy received the Kings honour of Officer for the New Zealand Order of Merit (ONZM) in 2024 for services to the Geothermal Industry and Women and was one of five global winners (first NZ winner) of the United Nations 2023 WE Empower Award which showcases women entrepreneurs whose businesses support the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

The nexus between science, business and community is where Andy’s expertise sits. She has a deep understanding of the drivers relating to the business of science, and a proven ability to turn scientific ideas into economic and societal gains.