Sara Cottle
Environmental and science communications
Washington, D.C. | United States
Skills
No information
Interests
Foraging
Gardening
Film
Science
Environmental history
The intersection of culture and nature
In my own words
— Sara<p>Over 10 years of experience in editing and strategic communications (design, marketing, advertising + PR), with a foundational background in journalism, and focus on environmental and science communication, makes me an agile and collaborative expert in my field.
</p><p><br></p><p>I approach my work with a tactical mind and creative heart. Metrics and process guide me, but the ability to execute an array of multimedia allows me to be a better storyteller and project manager. I am most passionate about cultivating positive change and fostering our human relationship with the natural world through storytelling and science. </p><p><br></p><p>You can connect with me online and view some of my work at saracottle.com.</p>
Trajectory
Apr 2021 — Now
Environmental Communications Specialist · Climate Focus
An international advisory company committed to developing policies and projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and help us adapt to the consequences of a changing climate. I manage all of our external communications, including social, PR, and newsletter; internal communications, including strategy, metrics, and cross-office and discipline content; and design, campaign, and outreach needs on a project basis.
Notable accomplishments: A total website redesign which included creating measurable metrics aligned with European GDPR law
Jul 2020 — Apr 2021
Senior Marketing Strategist · Can-Do Ideas
An inbound marketing agency. Client industries include agriculture, engineering, hospitality, finance, and more. I managed multiple client relationships and a team of authors. I led content creation and campaign strategy meeting marketing goals. I managed and optimized CMS and CRM workflows and tracked and analyzed results.
Notable accomplishments: Increasing online sales by 400% in less than a year
Jan 2019 — Jul 2020
Operations Coordinator · Exposure Labs
A film and impact production company. I played a strategic role in supporting the impact campaign for Chasing Coral (Netflix), focusing on impact stories and community, youth, and donor engagement.
Notable Accomplishments: Creating a dashboard and organizational system for logging and tracking impact; Creating a monthly newsletter highlighting the best impact stories to inspire action; Streamlining donation processes; Strategic planning on World Oceans Day, Earth Day and Climate Strike campaigns
Sep 2018 — May 2020
Digital Engagement Coordinator · CU Boulder Environmental Center
The center focuses on fostering sustainability through promoting sustainable behavior and education. I focused on educating fellow staff on how to shape messages, coordinate between multiple departments to keep a consistent brand and messaging on digital channels and educate and connect with students and the bigger community. I also volunteered to sort recycling and compost, helping the university reach zero waste goals.
Notable Accomplishments: Created a content strategy; Trained students to execute social content; Increased social media engagement and following (by 30%); Got multiple branches of the center on the same page under one consistent brand
May 2019 — Sep 2019
Douglas M. Lapp Endowment · Smithsonian Science Education Center
A unit of the Smithsonian Institution solely dedicated to formal preK-12 science education reform. I was part of writing a global science curriculum for multiple modules that supports and incorporates UN Sustainable Development Goals and furthers the nature of science. A specific addition to the curriculum was incorporating podcasting as a means of scientific communication.
Creating the curriculum included: coordination across multiple Smithsonian departments, with researchers, scientists, teachers, and community leaders around the globe, writing, editing, research, design, interviews, video, and photography as well as running a workshop helping to prepare teachers to implement the curriculum into their classrooms.
Notable Accomplishments: Wrote 3 science education modules aligning with SDGs; Wrote a reader on 'Pollinators'; Planned and implemented a curriculum workshop
Activity
Education history
University of Colorado Boulder
Master of Arts | 2018 - 2020
West Virginia University
Bachelor of Science | 2011 - 2013
