Give your feeds an upgrade in 2026 by following some of the folks we always love to see in ours.

With so many voices talking at once, it’s hard to tell if the loudest ones are right or just…loud.  Of all the sources atop your professional newsfeeds, forwarded in work email inboxes, and shared in posts liked by 10 people in your LinkedIn circle, how many of them really help, inform, and inspire you?  Give your feeds an upgrade in 2026 by following some of the folks we always love to see in ours. From thought leaders and influencers to respected authors, organizers, and corporate executives, here’s a short list of sustainability and communications mavericks who do more than talk the talk:  [MORE ON THIS BLOG: Who’s Leading the Way in Corporate Sustainability in 2025? Meet the 25 Voices to Know]

• Ayo Sokale — A vocal and vibrant sustainability leader, Sokale bridges her careers as a civil engineer and a BBC broadcaster to improve strategies and create growth plans at her own intersection of media, engineering, and public service. 
• Karen Y. Johns — An apt description for Johns, the bold CEO of Net Impact, is “Leader.” A champion of value-driven work, Johns continues to fight for students and young professionals just beginning in the social impact and sustainability space, and she shares their success stories and where they gain their experience on her social media feeds. 
• Dave Armon — We may be a bit biased, but 3BL’s Executive Vice Chair is a charismatic maverick who uses his LinkedIn to showcase poignant thought leadership and journals his travels to sustainability conferences, conversations with various leaders and communications professionals, and insightful articles worth sharing across your own networks. 
• Julia Pyper — GoopLeap’s VP of Public Affairs uses her platform of over 10,000 followers to speak vociferously on topics surrounding clean energy and complex environmental issues. 
• Grace Vanderhei — The nuclear engineer and former Miss America 2023 has taken her crown and recycled it into a platform calling for more regulations around energy sources. Vabderhei’s LinkedIn is a megaphone for Gen Z to engage in more engineering initiatives. 
• Faith Taylor — Kyndryl’s SCP of Global Sustainability and Social Impact is a veteran in the sustainability and leadership space. For the last two-plus decades, Taylor has championed advancing business values through clear, developmentally focused programs that prioritize people and climate responsibility. 
• Jane Goodland — The Group Head of Sustainability at LSEG hosts the LSEG Sustainable Growth Podcast, where she covers “issues which intersect sustainability and finance,” and what they call “the biggest issues of our time,” while speaking with leaders from climate impact partners like Microsoft and more. 
• Leah Thomas — Instagram’s resident “crafty, earthy girl next door” is the founder of the nonprofit Intersectional Environmentalist and author of “The Intersectional Environmentalist: How to Dismantle Systems of Oppression to Protect People + Planet.” Listed on Forbes 30 under 30 for young professionals, she uses her platforms to showcase thoughtful conversations with notables like Bill Nye, the late icon Betty Reid Soskin, among others. 
• Tiffany Hardin — The trendsetting founder and CEO of Gild Creative Group consistently posts on LinkedIn, sharing relatable trends with her community to power “influencer marketing capabilities for brands who want to activate the world’s leading influential voices to strengthen consumer and community relationships.”
• Lola Bakare — The author, executive, and owner of bc/co by Lola Bakare is a fierce advocate for responsible marketing from those who know their voices can carry change. She stands firmly that words and how they are presented matter, including her take on the NBAPA’s statement on the recent happenings in Minneapolis. 
• Sherrell Dorsey — A former TriplePundit contributor, the TED Tech host is well known in tech and entrepreneurship. She uses her LinkedIn to promote panel conversations across the space, while utilizing popular social media trends to discuss green markets, sustainability, and the future of the workforce. 
• Susan McPherson — The founder and CEO of McPherson Strategies is also an author who often posts job openings on her feed. 
• Cecily Joseph — she led CR at Symantec for many years and is now on the board of Mercy Corps and the shareholder advocacy organization As You Sow. She also posts job leads as a service to her audience. 
• Mike Barry – a sustainability stalwart, an architect of Marks & Spencer’s Plan A, among the earliest corporate sustainability policies. Since retiring from M&S, he’s remained prolific in the wellness space, launching a nonprofit last year and using his LinkedIn for job listings and conversations on hot topics. 
• Alison Taylor — Currently a clinical professor at NYU Stern School of Business with a reputation for thoughtful work around strategy.  If you’re looking to be as informed as possible about the sustainability space and beyond, the winner of the 2024 Porchlight award for best leadership and strategy book is one to follow and turn an alert on for. 

What are your favorite impact podcasts and newsletters? Tag us and tag them when you share this post.

June brings about many festive celebrations and holidays, including one of the newer federal holidays, Juneteenth.  As many businesses appear to be rolling back Juneteenth, other DEI initiatives, and events similar to what’s happened with PRIDE Month festivities, one thought leader in our space suggests that Juneteenth is still an important message of lasting impact internally.  But what is Juneteenth? Also known as “Freedom Day” or “Emancipation Day,” it is celebrated as the day the last group of enslaved Black Americans in Texas were told of their freedom — almost three years after President Abraham Lincoln read the Emancipation Proclamation, which ended slavery on Jan. 1, 1863.

The U.N. Global Compact USA chapter published Wednesday that Juneteenth still provides a pivotal message: “change doesn’t end with policy” and can be used to build a strong “strategic roadmap” for businesses large and small.  The UNGC USA says that companies with “gender-diverse leadership teams are 25% more likely to achieve above-average profitability,” while also noting that “those (companies) with various perspectives at the executive level see a 36% higher likelihood of success.”  “Still, companies must navigate significant challenges to reap these benefits fully. A new law, initiative, or company policy may signal progress,” the article reads. “However, the day-to-day decisions, resource allocations, and cultural shifts determine whether those ideals translate into meaningful outcomes. Understanding these challenges — and finding solutions — requires looking at history. Juneteenth is a reminder that policy alone won’t close gaps. Action will.”

But one thing companies should avoid while celebrating Juneteenth and other holidays is being performative, especially in light of DEI programs being rolled back in 2025. Being genuine goes a long way, as Popular Information notes.  To read more on what the Global Compact Network USA has to say about the impacts of this federal holiday, click here.

More like this: 

• Juneteenth celebrations adapt after corporate sponsors pull support — ABC News
• 7 Companies That Celebrate Juneteenth and Inspire Action — Good Era 
• On Juneteenth: New research demonstrates how economic mobility is restricted for Black Americans — The Washington Center for Equitable Growth 
• How to Prepare for Juneteenth as a Federal Holiday — Diversity.com 
• 3 Things to Know: Consumer Sentiment on Immigration Policy, Americans Favor Increasing Public Education Funding, and Juneteenth Plans — Civic Science

On tap: Sustainability pros are on the A.I. train. Grid and storage technologies, the rapid rise of renewables and hydrogen, a nuclear energy renaissance, the critical role of AI, and the growing importance of industrial policy and sustainable construction.

Don’t fall victim to the June swoon. In the first part of the month, sustainability conversations are dominated by breakthroughs in grid and storage technologies, the rapid rise of renewables and hydrogen, a nuclear energy renaissance, the critical role of AI, and the growing importance of industrial policy and sustainable construction. These solutions are at the heart of the global push to decarbonize energy, stabilize power systems, and meet the demands of a rapidly electrifying world. Check out our weekly round up, click the headline above each summary to read more.

1. Breakthroughs in Grid-Forming Energy Storage Grid-forming energy storage technology is a major focus, as it enhances grid stability and supports large-scale integration of renewables. This innovation is projected to unlock up to $5 trillion in new global renewable energy investments by addressing the challenge of maintaining stable power systems as renewable penetration increases.

2. Renewables Surpassing Fossil Fuels Renewables-based electricity generation is set to overtake coal-fired generation in 2025, with wind and solar expected to surpass nuclear and hydropower in the following years. Major economies are accelerating renewable deployment through ambitious policies and investments, making this one of the most discussed trends globally.

3. Hydrogen and Clean Hydrogen Scale-Up Hydrogen, especially green hydrogen produced via electrolysis, is rapidly gaining momentum as a clean, flexible, and scalable energy carrier. Governments and industries are investing billions in commercial electrolytic hydrogen projects, aiming to decarbonize power, transport, and industry. The UK, US, and the EU are at the forefront of this transition, with projections for exponential growth in low-emission hydrogen production by 2030. 4. Nuclear Renaissance and Fusion Energy Nuclear energy is experiencing renewed interest as a stable, low-carbon power source to meet surging energy demands, particularly from AI-driven data centers. Small modular reactors and fusion energy are advancing, with significant public and private investment and new national strategies in Europe and the US. The EU’s “Competitiveness Compass” and the UK’s STEP prototype fusion plant highlight this momentum.

5. AI and Digital Innovation in Clean Energy Artificial intelligence is being deployed across the energy sector to optimize renewable integration, manage smart grids, accelerate permitting, and improve operational efficiency. AI-powered robots and smart meters are helping scale solar and wind, while AI-driven virtual power plants aggregate distributed resources for grid stability. 6. Advanced Energy Storage Technologies Innovations like sand batteries (thermal energy storage in silica sand) and large-scale battery storage are enabling more efficient capture and use of renewable energy, addressing intermittency and supporting grid reliability. The US is set for a record-breaking expansion of battery storage capacity in 2025.

7. Circular Economy and Sustainable Construction The adoption of phase-change materials for insulation and smart inverters for grid-responsive buildings are making construction more sustainable. These solutions reduce emissions from the built environment and improve energy efficiency. 8. Industrial Policy and Cleantech Manufacturing Governments are using industrial policy to accelerate clean energy technology deployment, boost domestic manufacturing, and secure supply chains. This trend is driving investment in cleantech and fostering innovation ecosystems.

And there’s more where that came from — visit 3BL.com here to see the latest news from our clients.

With so many changes throughout public and political discourse in 2025, it’s no surprise that many businesses have scaled back celebrations surrounding diversity, equity, inclusion, and climate-related celebrations. In the impact space, however, the drumbeat of equity is still thumping — and has brought us here to PRIDE Month. With consumer brands fearful of political backlash in the form of public tongue-lashings from government officials, others have stayed firm on their activism and continue to support not only consumers but also internal stakeholders.

Here are some highlights from this year so far, just a few of many who have stood by their already established policies — a small sample of large businesses that continue their support of diverse communities:

• BarkBox, a pet supplies delivery company, reaffirmed its commitment by donating 100 percent of its PRIDE collection revenue to LGBTQIA+ organizations, according to Business Insider. 
• Ben & Jerry’s: The company’s founders have long disavowed the politics of President Donald Trump and doubled down on their support for LGBTQIA+ organizations, per The Advocate.
• Coca-Cola: The Atlanta-based company says it won’t be stifled by “woke policies.”  
• Delta Airlines: A director for the airline told NBC News in January that, “DEI is not something that’s going to stop at Delta Airlines.”
• E.l.f. Beauty: The cosmetic company told The Advocate that with a company that comprises “74 percent women,” and is “44 percent diverse,” their mission to accessibility means it has to stick to their current DEI policies. 
• Apple: The tech giant has always been a fierce corporate ally, standing firm against the likes of right-wing pressure groups, such as the National Center for Public Policy, The Advocate reports. 

Here are a few more reports of the businesses and leaders who are continuing to support the above initiatives: 

• LGBTQ+ Voices in Energy Are Essential for Environmental Justice
• 5 Insights for LGBTQIA+ Leaders & Champions in Business
• Corporate Retreat From Pride Raises Long-Term Reputational Risks
• 20 LGBTQ Business Leaders on the Importance of Visibility
• Legacy Leader: Andy Cramer helped define the early gay internet
• Americans are skeptical of corporate Pride support
• Companies Supporting Pride 2025 Collections & LGBTQ Pride Month

This Pride Month, the convergence of LGBTQIA+ advocacy and environmental sustainability underscores the importance of inclusive approaches to climate action. By uplifting these and other diverse voices and supporting organizations at this intersection, we move towards a more equitable and sustainable future. Editor’s Note: Prior to this about-face, BarkBox’s CEO faced backlash after a leaked memo compared PRIDE celebrations in a pet collection to having a Trump/MAGA collection. The leaked document outraged many, including several LGBTQIA+ influencers, according to USAToday. This is another example of why companies need to be cautious about being reactionary in ways that could alienate their customers and stakeholders.

You’re sitting or standing at your desk, and you have to get this one free media release, press release, or media release out to the public. Your organization is excited about its sustainability and environmental initiatives, highlights its top employees and team members, and makes it known that their brand means something.

You have so many thoughts on how to get this done and convey the successes and goals your team has in mind. But what can you do to make the information sing and stand out for coverage or distribution? Here are 5 tips that you can take that are universal for the things you publish. And it’s more than good search engine optimization practices (start there and read the rest).