The Sustainability Experts

Leading with Values: Dorie Clark and Vanessa Thompson on Branding and Sustainable Leadership

In this episode, bestselling author and branding expert Dorie Clark joins Vanessa Thompson on The Sustainability Experts to discuss how leaders can build a powerful personal brand rooted in their values. They explore standing out with authenticity, leading with purpose, and integrating sustainability into leadership and business strategy to create meaningful, lasting impact.

Intrapreneurial Innovation | Libba Pinchot & Vanessa Thompson

Host Vanessa Thompson sits down with Dr. Libba Pinchot, co-founder of Presidio Graduate School and the pioneer who coined the term intrapreneurship, to explore how organizations can unlock creativity, engage employees, and achieve the triple bottom line of profit, people, and planet. Drawing on real-world experience working with organizations such as Apple, IBM, Intel, HP, DuPont, Exxon, GE, Procter & Gamble, Johnson & Johnson, Ford, Stanford University, and the U.S. Forest Service, Dr. Pinchot shares powerful insights on building cultures of innovation, risk-taking, collaboration, and long-term value. This conversation is packed with practical lessons for leaders, entrepreneurs, and sustainability professionals alike.

Vaishali Wagle | Zenesse

Sustainability requires culture change and courageous leadership. In this episode, host Vanessa Thompson talks with Vaishali Wagle, founder and CEO of Zenesse, an executive leadership coach and author of Scaling Peaks. Vaishali shares practical ways to create mindset shifts, design policies and incentives that reinforce good behavior, and turn climate ambition into measurable results across large organizations. You will hear how leaders can move from productivity to human sustainability, why celebration cements culture, and how to apply these ideas to famous examples like Interface. The episode closes with simple takeaways on positive reinforcement and aligning incentives to sustainability goals so progress compounds.

Jennifer Stolo | Robert Craig Films

In this latest episode of The Sustainability Experts, I had the honor of speaking with Jennifer Stolo, CEO and producer at Robert Craig Films. Jennifer’s journey from pediatric healthcare and Make-A-Wish to directing films like No Address is nothing short of extraordinary. We explore: • The real human stories behind homelessness • How film can catalyze compassion and policy change • The power of listening—really listening—to those whose voices are often unheard • Why companies must embed empathy into their culture and how it fuels both impact and innovation Jennifer’s work reminds us that storytelling isn’t just about awareness—it’s about action. The No Address project has grown into a movement, including a feature film, a documentary, a novel, a study guide, and a soundtrack—all with 50% of proceeds going back to nonprofits tackling homelessness. If you’re a leader, changemaker, or creative, this episode will move you. Tune in, and let’s reimagine how businesses and communities can create change—one story at a time.

Kevin Whilden | SeaTrees

The Next Big ESG Investment: How Companies Are Monetizing Conservation Conservation is no longer just a corporate responsibility—it’s a strategic advantage. In this episode of The Sustainability Experts podcast, Vanessa Thompson speaks with Kevin Whilden, co-Founder at SeaTrees / Sustainable Surf, to discuss how businesses are integrating coastal ecosystem restoration into their sustainability strategies—and why the next wave of impact investments may be in biodiversity credits. Key discussion points: Why tree planting is becoming a billion-dollar market—and how SeaTrees perfected the $1 per tree pricing model How brands like Virgin Voyages and Bank of the West are leveraging conservation to drive impact and customer engagement Why biodiversity credits are the next major sustainability investment—and how early adopters stand to benefit The missing piece in corporate storytelling—and how businesses can use conservation to build stronger stakeholder trust Companies are spending millions on sustainability—are they doing it effectively? This episode provides real-world insights into conservation as a business strategy, offering tangible takeaways for leaders looking to invest in climate resilience.