“Innovation should do more with less”
- Anna Brueva, AI4Her Earth Award Finalist, on sustainable deeptech and mentoring women in STEM
Anna Brueva is a passionate advocate for women in AI and deeptech and the driving force behind ChemReclaim, a deeptech startup that creates high-performance nanomaterials from critical and precious metals for a more sustainable future. As an AI4Her Earth Award nominee, she is recognized for her leadership in sustainable innovation, her dedication to mentoring women in STEM, and her commitment to developing technologies that protect both people and the planet.
Written by Myrthe van den Berg
Driving Sustainable Innovation at ChemReclaim
After nearly twenty years in corporate environments, leading international business transformations and global teams, Anna chose entrepreneurship to build ChemReclaim from the ground up.
That shift was driven by a simple conviction: the technologies shaping the future must use fewer resources while delivering better outcomes.
“At some point I realized that my strength is not just execution but transformation,” Anna shares.
“Transformation of systems, of teams, and of how we think about value. The founder’s journey is not linear or polished, but it is meaningful.”
“At some point I realized that my strength is not just execution but transformation.”
At ChemReclaim, Anna leads the development of high performance nanomaterials that help industries use significantly less critical metal without compromising quality and often improving it. By enabling better conductivity and heat management in advanced applications such as semiconductors, energy systems and aerospace, ChemReclaim reduces metal intensity, energy use and water demand at the very start of the value chain. This backend enablement makes digital technologies and AI infrastructure more sustainable by design.
“Every gram matters,” Anna says. “If we engineer materials smarter, we reduce pressure on supply chains and on the planet. That is where real climate impact begins.”
Mentorship and Empowering Women in Tech
“I know what it means to be the first woman in the room. Progress only scales when we bring others with us.”
Alongside building a deeptech company, Anna has invested heavily in people She created, launched, and managed mentorship programs for Women in AI and AI4ALL in the Benelux and the Netherlands, helping more than 150 women in their career and personal development.
“I know what it means to be the first woman in the room,” she reflects. “I also know the responsibility that comes with it. Progress only scales when we bring others with us.”
By uniting sustainable innovation with inclusive leadership, Anna Brueva embodies the spirit of the AI4Her Earth Award. Her work shows that advancing technology and nurturing talent are interconnected paths toward a healthier and more resilient planet.
Responsible AI starts with us.
To discover the ultimate winners of the AI4Her awards, join us at the AI4ALL Gala on February 6th 2026, in Amsterdam. The Gala raises vital funds to support our mission to make AI more inclusive, ethical and accessible for everyone. Get your tickets here.
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