After spending nearly three decades working for some of the world's biggest brands and retailers (on the agency side), I felt that there was a better way of doing business. That so much of that energy, innovation, entrepreneurialism and creativity got wasted and could be better spent. Having had the privilege of working more closely with the United Nations around the Sustainable Development Goals over the past few years, I also realized that humanity's greatest challenges also present us with some of the world's most innovative business challenges and opportunities. Consumerism now comes with a conscience and so must business. Perhaps the way we shop and the brands we buy can change the world and every purchase could be a step towards a more sustainable future?So, back in September 2018, I started Grounded with my co-founder Heidi Schoeneck, based on the idea that if we could have one foot planted in purpose and the other in profit we could stand firm and make a difference. We wanted grounded to be a place where good people and smart thinking inspires great ideas and partnerships that not only re-define success in business but also make the world a better place too. Five years in, we have helped dozens of brands, retailers, start-ups and nonprofits all over the world articulate their purpose, activate their brands and accelerate their impactMy previous professional experience stretches across innovation, consultancy, brand planning, identity & design, packaging, advertising, shopper marketing, brand activation, experiential and e-commerce for the likes of P&G, McDonald's, InBev, Unilever, Pepsico, General Mills, Nestle, Virgin, Starbucks Coca Cola, GSK, Heineken, Diageo, Bacardi and Mondelez to name but a few.I've coached agency teams to Effie success, chaired the strategy committee for the American Advertising Agencies Association and been voted in the top 100 of the world's most effective leaders in the CSR and social impact space by Real Leader Magazine. As well as an expert impact speaker, I am also an adjunct professor at Michigan State University for the department of Advertising and PR and an advisor / investor across portfolio of social enterprise start-ups.