Editor’s note: Jerome Soltani, Senior Vice President US Services at Schneider Electric, and Wade Leipold, Executive Vice President at Faith Technologies, Incorporated (FTI), will run together at the 2025 Boston Marathon.
The following is a conversation, edited for clarity, in which they discuss the challenges and lessons learned from training, leadership, and the power of partnership—on the racecourse and in business.
Prepping for the long haul — in energy management and marathons
Jerome Soltani: Wade, this will be your third marathon. How are you feeling about heading into Boston?
Wade Leipold: To be honest, I’ve been working through some challenges and doing physical therapy, and there have been moments I wasn’t sure I could do it this year. But then you told me you’d already submitted my name—so here we are! The Boston Marathon is special, though. My main goal this year is to enjoy the experience, stay present, and finish with some dignity.
Jerome: It’s funny how we both ended up here. I’m running both the Paris and Boston Marathons this year. The races are tough, but the most challenging part is the three months before—the discipline, planning, diet, and sleep. It’s a commitment.
Wade: I totally agree. That kind of sustained effort reminds me a lot of our work in energy infrastructure. You can’t just show up and wing it. Whether it’s installing and Energy Management System or running a marathon, you need a plan—and you have to stick with it, even when things don’t go as expected.
“Whether it’s running Heartbreak Hill or keeping a complex system online during a storm—success is built on resilience.”
— Jerome Soltani
Seeing the parallels between marathons and energy management
Jerome: Can you share more about the connection you see between long-distance running and energy management?
Wade: There are a lot of parallels. Both require long-term thinking. In a marathon, it’s about pacing and knowing when to push and when to conserve energy. In business, it’s about setting and hitting milestones consistently—especially when dealing with complex projects like microgrids or predictive maintenance. And in both, you have to be mentally tough. You wake up some mornings and you don’t want to train—but you go anyway.
Jerome: Yes, and resource management is key. In running, it’s hydration and nutrition. In energy, it’s clean power delivery, filtering, power quality, and system reliability. The thinking is the same: Don’t waste energy. Make every move count.
Jerome: You’ve mentioned before that marathon day brings a certain energy. What’s it like for you at the starting line?
Wade: It’s incredible. Everyone’s nervous, excited, stretching, laughing. Even though we’re technically competitors, there’s this unspoken sense that we’re all rooting for each other. It’s the same with good partnerships. At FTI, we’re proud of the work we’ve done alongside Schneider because we know we can’t do any of this alone. The camaraderie at the start of a marathon reminds me of that spirit.
Developing a resilient mindset is the key to success in both energy management and marathons
Jerome: Do you use any mental strategies during the tough parts of the race?
Wade: For me, the hardest part isn’t the beginning or the end—it’s the middle. That space where you’re tired but still far from the finish. I break it down: just get to the next mile, the next water station. It’s the same approach required for tough projects—don’t try to do it all at once. Set small goals, build momentum, and celebrate the wins as they come.
Jerome: That’s great advice. I always say success is built on resilience—whether it’s running Heartbreak Hill at Mile 20 or keeping a complex system online during a storm.
You and I have also talked a lot about sustainability in our work. Have you noticed if it’s becoming more important in the running community?
Wade: I’ve seen more race organizers focusing on waste diversion, composting, and clean water stations. There’s also a shift in mindset. Runners care about the environment. Cleaner air and better waste practices—it all improves the experience and the planet. And Schneider Electric’s partnership with the Boston Marathon in energy management is helping lead the way.
Jerome: Yes, we’ve had success in Paris already, and we’re excited to bring that expertise to Boston. Long term, I’d love to see Boston recognized as one of the most sustainable marathons in the world. That would be the ultimate legacy of this partnership.
Community partnerships
Jerome: You’re running for yourself—but also for the community. What does that mean for you?
Wade: Honestly, just finishing this race would be enough for me, but being out here representing FTI, working alongside Schneider Electric, and knowing there’s a purpose beyond the pavement makes the miles matter more. And I know you’re doing something similar with the Red Cross.
Jerome: Yes. I’m fundraising for the American Red Cross. Growing up in France, I saw firsthand their impact on people’s lives. Running Boston is a gift; this is my way of giving back something. If we can raise funds and awareness while doing what we love, that’s a win-win.
Jerome: Six years from now, what does success look like for this partnership—with Boston, with each other, and with the planet?
Wade: If we can look back and say we helped set a new standard for what’s possible—on the course and off—I’d call that a success.
Jerome: I couldn’t agree more. Let’s cross that finish line and keep running forward.
Join Jerome, Wade, and the #SEGreenRunners community and share your stories, tips, and personal bests.
EcoXperts are the enablers of net-zero buildings
The EcoXpert Partner Program is unique in its industry and made up of a best-in-class, global ecosystem of expertise. Trained and certified by Schneider Electric, EcoXpert partners digitize and electrify our world for a more sustainable future.
The path to net-zero is about delivering solutions for sustainable, resilient, efficient, and people-centric buildings. For our EcoXpert partners, this unveils immense growth opportunities through the transition to end-to-end portfolio sales that will resolve our customers’ most critical needs. For our shared customers, this means that together with our EcoXpert partners, we will drive the building industry transformation and help our customers survive and thrive today – and tomorrow.
Add a comment