Ottawa, Canada – Dr. Vida Gabriel, Co-founder of TerraFixing, has been selected as a 2026 Cartier Women’s Initiative fellow, recognizing her commitment to addressing climate change through scalable carbon removal and localized CO₂ production.
“We are delighted to welcome Vida to the Cartier Women’s Initiative community. Through TerraFixing, she exemplifies how entrepreneurship can drive meaningful, positive change. We look forward to supporting her journey and celebrating the impact she is creating“
– Kiyo Taga-Witkin, Cartier Women’s Initiative Director
About TerraFixing
TerraFixing was founded in 2020 to address a critical gap in global climate solutions: the need to remove carbon dioxide directly from the atmosphere at scale.
Through its proprietary direct air capture technology, TerraFixing captures carbon dioxide using non-chemical, sustainable, mineral-based materials. Unlike conventional systems, TerraFixing’s technology remains effective in the harshest freezing conditions. Its energy requirements can be up to four times lower than the status quo, unlocking new deployment opportunities where other technologies struggle.
“If we’re serious about limiting global warming, we can’t just reduce emissions — we have to remove carbon from the atmosphere at scale. Our vision is to turn cold, wind-rich regions into climate hubs for carbon removal and clean CO₂ production, creating both climate impact while serving remote communities“
– Dr Vida Gabriel, Co-Founder of TerraFixing.
This flexibility enables TerraFixing to strategically deploy in regions where it can create the greatest combined impact — particularly in remote, wind-rich areas where renewable energy is abundant but CO₂ infrastructure doesn’t exist (yet!).
Key highlights of the initiative include:
- Deployment of carbon capture systems tailored for remote northern regions
- Enabling access to affordable, locally produced CO₂ for food, medical, and industrial use
- Supporting renewable energy deployment by creating demand for wind power in underserved areas
“The entire TerraFixing team is incredibly proud of Vida and what this recognition represents. Carbon dioxide is this colourless, odourless gas — which makes climate change harder to connect with. Recognition from the Cartier Women’s Initiative brings global visibility to that challenge and reinforces the importance of building real, scalable solutions. This is a meaningful moment not just for TerraFixing, but for the broader effort to address global warming“
– Dr Sean Wilson, Co-Founder of TerraFixing.
Leadership and global recognition
By combining climate innovation with infrastructure development, TerraFixing contributes to scalable carbon removal while strengthening energy independence and economic resilience in remote communities.
“Being part of the Cartier Women’s Initiative means becoming the leader that TerraFixing’s mission needs. I know that building gigatonne-scale carbon removal will stretch me beyond what I think I’m capable of. It’ll require grit, discipline, and world-class mentorship— and being surrounded by this cohort of women who are likewise making world-altering impact is so energizing. This is one of the greatest honours of my life, and I’m deeply committed to achieving this global climate impact.“
– Dr Vida Gabriel, Co-Founder of TerraFixing
About the Cartier Women’s Initiative
The Cartier Women’s Initiative is an international entrepreneurship program established in 2006 to support women impact entrepreneurs who are building a more inclusive society for generations to come.
Since its inception, the program has been dedicated to identifying and accompanying women whose businesses address some of the world’s most pressing social and environmental challenges. Through a comprehensive approach combining financial support, access to a global network and tailored leadership development, the Cartier Women’s Initiative enables fellows to scale their businesses while strengthening their capacity to lead and create lasting impact.
Over the years, the initiative has grown into a vibrant international community of more than 520 community members, united by a shared ambition to drive meaningful change within their respective ecosystems.
At its core, the Cartier Women’s Initiative is guided by a set of enduring convictions: the belief that women are powerful agents of transformation, that talent is universal, while opportunities are not, that continuous learning is essential to progress and that sustainable impact is rooted in a deep commitment to the communities it serves.
About the 2026 Edition – Celebrating 20 Years
The 2026 edition of the Cartier Women’s Initiative marks the program’s 20th anniversary, a milestone that reflects two decades of commitment to supporting women entrepreneurs who are leveraging business as a force for good.
This anniversary edition is placed under the theme of Lighting the Path, a tribute to the women who bring clarity, courage and determination to the world, and who actively shape vision into tangible impact that drive meaningful changes.
The Awards Ceremony, to be held on June 10, 2026, in Bangkok, Thailand, will bring together 30 fellows across 10 award categories, including 9 regional awards and the Science & Technology Pioneer Award, which recognizes groundbreaking solutions built on distinctive scientific or technological advances.
About Cartier
A reference in the world of luxury, Cartier, whose name is synonymous with open-mindedness and curiosity, stands out with its creations and reveals beauty wherever it may lie. Jewellery, high jewellery, watchmaking and fragrances, leather goods and accessories: Cartier’s creations symbolize the convergence between exceptional craftsmanship and a timeless signature. Cartier is part of Richemont and has a worldwide presence through its network of flagships and boutiques, authorised retail partners, and online.
Cartier.com
For information about the Cartier Women’s Initiative: www.cartierwomensinitiative.com