Soft launching ReFrame

TLDR: Climate needs different work. I'm building a venture studio to make it. I need a Business Maverick and a Funding Scout to help me get it off the ground.

I work with great clients and colleagues around the world all tackling climate breakdown in various ways with the resources they have.

And still, I'm not seeing the work that I believe needs to exist.

We don't need more EV startups, drive-less campaigns, or carbon credits. We don't need another Net Zero plan or vague sustainability actions that changes nothing. We can't fix this with a better pitch deck or green capitalism.

We've been trained to think, see, and act in ways designed by people with ulterior motives. Fixing the tangible isn't enough. We have to go deeper, into the core of how humans "human" and reset our connection with the world and rebuild the everyday systems that we live within.

Personally, I've felt stuck for the last few years. I'm grateful for the work I've done and the work I'm doing now. Again, amazing clients. But, I feel called to something bigger.

So, here is that something.

I'm soft launching ReFrame*, a climate venture studio. I'm also looking for two people to help me build it. See details below.

Venture studios aren't a new idea. I haven't seen one centered in the work I want to do.

With ReFrame, we identify opportunity spaces and write our own briefs with the help of experts that work in one of our areas of focus. See below.

We then convene cross-disciplinary teams to turn these briefs into campaigns, products, experiences, movements.  

Various funding sources support the work. 

ReFrame only takes on projects that hit at least one of these:

• Behavior change: to modify what individuals do
• Systems change: to reform institutions
• Culture shifts: to change what groups believe and value
• Paradigm shifts: to change how people think
• Ecological shifts: to align human systems with living ones (this underpins every level)

Focus Area Examples

1. Cultural interventions: embed climate consciousness into everyday things like fashion, entertainment, transportation (let's hijack habits that already exist instead of building new ones from scratch)
2. Media narratives: give people storytelling infrastructure for navigating a changing climate instead of just being warned about it
3. Economic innovation: build bioregional systems that grounds commerce through local, seasonal, and ecological methods
4. Societal resilience: redistribute power and strengthen community governance to build what local communities need in a just and timely manner

More to follow. Project concept examples coming soon.

How ReFrame Works

We'll take on one focus area at a time. With the right people, we'll:

• Create a project brief with the help of domain experts
• Do research with frontline communities and practitioners, develop a landscape analysis of what's worked and what hasn't
• Facilitate in-person creative workshops with people like behavior scientists, anthropologists, indigenous leaders, youth voices, policy wonks, designers, frontline communities, etc
• Narrow concepts down and design them "just enough" to prototype and test to then present to appropriate groups
• Seek funding opportunities with the right partners to ensure a successful launch 

Why Me

I've spent years doing aspects of all of this:

• From 2016–2022, I ran a creative agency focused on climate
• In 2019, I co-founded Climate Designers, a global network of designers and creative professionals using our creative skills for climate action
• Before climate, I was focused on social impact design work, collaborating with local communities, non-profits, and organizations on ventures across technology, public education, health, and economic development
• I've facilitated over 100 workshops for clients and orgs, for conferences and universities
• I've helped climate startups raise $30M+

As a maker, I've built a career out of creating opportunities, turning side projects into funded initiatives.

My Ask

I can bring certain aspects to this studio, but I need help. I need to build a core team.

I’m looking for a:

1. A Business Maverick: someone who can develop strategic partnerships with orgs and communities, generate leads, negotiate deals, etc
2. A Funding Scout: someone who can find funding opportunities, open funding conversations, build relationships, and help land our first few paying sessions

A background in climate or social impact is a plus.

For now, I can only offer equity tied to the workshops and projects that get funded. Expect 10–12 hours a week. Paid work follows funding. We'll start with a 3-month trial.

I've never publicly posted an ask like this before. I know building a team can be daunting. This is me asking the universe (and my network) to see what happens.

There are plenty of people are looking for what's next. They're tired of the status-quo. They want to build something new. They want to change the world. Maybe you are that person.

If these positions resonate with you or you know someone who might be a good fit, please get in touch. I can share the concept deck with more details.

Please note: I'm still figuring out some of the details. Questions are welcome!

Thanks and onward.

*ReFrame is a working name

While I'm building out ReFrame, I'm still working with climate and design leaders. Interested in collaborating? Get in touch.