Episode 21: Inna Braverman, named one of the most influential women of the 21st century

Summary: Inna Braverman was named one of "10 of the most influential women of the 21st century," alongside Michelle Obama and Oprah Winfrey." Her story starts in the Ukraine on April 11, 1986. Two weeks after her birth, the nearby Chernobyl Power Plant exploded and sent radioactive material across the landscape. To this day, it remains the biggest nuclear disaster worldwide. Less than 200 miles away, baby Inna had trouble breathing from the pollution and went in respiratory arrest. She was announced clinically dead. Luckily for Inna, her mother is a nurse and rushed to the crib to help. She gave her baby mouth to mouth resuscitation until the ambulance arrived just in time. Inna survived. She's is now doing something quite remarkable and is using her second chance at life to give back. Learning from the Chernobyl disaster, Inna has launched a company that harnesses energy from a totally unique place. Sure, we've heard of wind energy and solar energy, but Inna has found something she claims is even better: Wave energy. She launched Eco Wave Power, a company that has figured out a way to take the energy from ocean waves and convert it into electricity. Her drive, passion and clever thinking have made her a celebrity. She's given a Ted Talk and was named to Wired Magazine's list of “Females Changing the World." CNN chose her for their "Tomorrow's Hero" series and she named one of the world’s “100 Makers and Mavericks." On today's episode, 32 years after the seminal disaster that forever changed her life, we chat with Inna about her upbringing, about wave energy and about the responsibilities of being a role model for today's young female entrepreneurs. For behind the scenes access to our show, including sneak peeks of future episodes, please join the "Our Friend from Israel" Facebook group. For additional notes, photos and a transcript of this episode, please visit www.ourfriendfromisrael.com.