Cleveland Water Alliance (CWA) is dedicated to fostering water innovation and inspiring the next generation of environmental leaders. Through our projects, programs, and partnerships, we actively support workforce development in the water sector. We are thrilled to kick off our new series, Rising Tide, which will spotlight how our network and partners are fostering workforce development in the Great Lakes region. For our first spotlight, we recently caught up with former Erie Hack high school participant, Lorena James, to see how her journey has progressed and how her initial idea has grown into a full-time career.

What is Erie Hack?

Erie Hack was a multi-month innovation challenge that brought together tech, creatives, and entrepreneurs from across the Great Lakes region. The program was a collaboration between CWA and partners in cities like Buffalo and Detroit, that aimed to generate technology solutions for Lake Erie's greatest challenges, such as water quality and infrastructure. 

The Path to Innovation

Lorena James was a high school participant and the winner of our inaugural 2017 Erie Hack competition. Seven years later, Lorena's story is a testament to the ripple effect of a single idea. CWA’s Erie Hack competition helped spur her initial concept into a full-time career, showing how one of our region’s greatest challenges, invasive species, could be turned into an innovative business solution.

When Lorena competed in Erie Hack as a high school senior, her initial idea to turn invasive plant species into food products was met with skepticism from her classmates. But her teacher saw the potential and pointed her to our Erie Hack competition. This encouragement, combined with CWA’s focus on turning environmental challenges into real-world applications, gave her the confidence to refine her idea. She shifted her focus to a more technical concept: making 3D printing filament from invasive quagga and zebra mussels.

Her project won the high school division, securing initial funding and the validation she needed to pursue the idea seriously. That initial support proved to be a catalyst for her future. Lorena shared that, "Without Erie Hack, there’s no way I would have wanted to pursue entrepreneurship as early as I did." 

Invasive Impact Initiatives

Today, Lorena is the founder of Invasive Impact Initiatives, an environmental consulting and event planning company. The company’s mission is to teach communities how to responsibly manage invasive species and repurpose them into useful products.

Lorena’s work today directly expands on the idea she pitched at Erie Hack. She and her team host workshops where they teach people to make products like native flower bombs and craft paper from invasive plant biomass. This creative and hands-on approach engages new audiences in environmental conservation and biodiversity efforts.

The First Invasive Species Hackathon

The collaborative nature of Erie Hack inspired Lorena to create her own event to empower others. Lorena recently hosted the first of her own invasive species upcycling hackathon.

"I felt very empowered through the Erie Hack experience, so I wanted to replicate that in my community," she told us. Her event provides a platform for people to turn their ambitious, and sometimes unconventional, ideas into reality. It’s a perfect example of how the CWA's model of innovation is being carried forward by those we’ve supported.

The Power of CWA’s Network

Beyond the initial prize money, one the most valuable outcomes of Erie Hack was the professional network it created. Lorena's experience highlights this through her long-standing relationship with Elena Stachew, a PhD student she was introduced to through CWA’s network.

Elena was the first person to test Lorena's 3D printing filament, providing crucial feedback that gave Lorena confidence in her work. The two recently reconnected through the Global Shapers Community, a nonprofit supporting youth-led social impact, and Lorena credits CWA for that initial introduction. It's a powerful reminder that Erie Hack's legacy extends far beyond a single competition, building lasting relationships that support participants for years to come.

Advice for Young Innovators

When asked what advice she has for young students and aspiring entrepreneurs, Lorena’s message is simple but powerful: "Dream big."

She encourages students to not be afraid of having ideas that seem too ambitious or unrealistic. "As long as you have an idea, you just need to find the right people to reach out to, to bring the idea to life," she advises. "You know, shoot for the moon, land in the stars. If you have some big idea, if that doesn't work out, then you still have a really great place to land."

Lorena’s journey is a great example of how Cleveland Water Alliance's investment in young, innovative minds empowers a new generation of leaders to tackle our most pressing environmental challenges.