Why I Do This Work—and What Comes Next in 2026

I spent the holidays reflecting on why I do this work. Don’t worry—I’m not throwing in the towel. Quite the opposite.

I do this work to help companies communicate sustainability in ways that support sustained progress by moving stakeholders into action. That’s why, nearly three years ago, I started Hower Impact as an independent sustainability communication consultancy.

Most of my work focuses on helping organizations translate sustainability strategy into narratives that are clear, credible, and useful. That includes strategic communication advisory, content development and delivery, sustainability reporting, and communication skills training. The throughline is making sure the story actually reflects reality—and helps move the work forward.

I’m not building this business to sell it. I’m building it to have an impact. That means doing the work well, staying close to it, and sharing what I learn so others can apply it in their own organizations. That’s the only exit I care about.

Despite what many have called a “sustainability recession,” 2025 was Hower Impact’s best year yet. I don’t share that to brag, but because it says something important about where the demand is. Companies are still investing in sustainability communication—but they’re being more selective. They want senior-level expertise, direct accountability, and consistency. They don’t want to pay premium rates and then get handed off to junior teams. That’s where I fit.

The same goes for the people who show up in my masterclasses, subscribe to my newsletter, or listen to the podcast. They’re not looking for hype or trend-chasing. They want practical guidance they can use right away, and honest conversations about what’s working, what isn’t, and where the risks are.

In practice, my work shows up in a few ways. I work directly with companies to improve sustainability communication strategy and execution, while pressure-testing whether there’s enough substance behind the story. I train sustainability and communication professionals to strengthen skills—from writing to messaging to tactical choices. And I write and say things that are often harder to say from inside an organization, because I’m not trying to manage internal politics or protect an internal narrative.

If you want my help improving your sustainability communication in 2026, there are a few ways to work together. I work with organizations consulting directly as a fractional sustainability communicator or on a project basis. I run masterclasses, including the Writing for Impact Masterclass. I’ve written a book, Sustainability Storytelling, which is now available for pre-order. I also write The Sustainability Story on Substack and host The Sustainability Communicator podcast.

I try to share this work across different formats and price points—from free resources to hands-on consulting—so it’s useful to as many people and organizations as possible.

For a lot of sustainability professionals, 2025 felt like getting thrown off the horse. Plans stalled. Budgets tightened. The political environment got harder. That doesn’t mean the work goes away.

I’m ready to grab 2026 by the horns. We’ve got a lot of work ahead of us. And a lot of people are counting on us to get this right.