expert sustainability guidance
For brands & Individuals
Apparel Industry Professional |
College Instructor | Career Coach
A convenient pathway to a deeper understanding of sustainability.
The Underswell is a sustainability consulting service offering professional, practical, and streamlined sustainability guidance to brands and individuals who seek to feel confident and current on the topics that matter most to us people and our planet.
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Sustainability-focused Career Coaching for Individuals
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Sustainability Consulting for Brands
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Sustainability Education for Brands & Individuals
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Review and Assessment of Your Brand's Current Sustainability Strategy
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Sustainability-Focused Speaking Engagements & Panel Moderation
Using any mix of resources from The Underswell offering, you’ll understand sustainability better and will be able to immediately apply your new found knowledge in your brand, career or lifestyle.
SERVICES INCLUDE:
and Now available:
*SELF-PACED ONLINE SUSTAINABILITY COURSE
Featuring 12 recorded lectures +
Monthly Virtual Meetups to Strengthen Learning.

ABOUT derek
My passion and expertise lie at the intersection where environmental & social sustainability, brands, products, and education collide; especially, apparel and lifestyle goods. I’ve been in the space now for more than 20 years.
I cut my chops working in the Design Department at the brand Volcom, and ultimately turned my Merchandising Director position into a VP of Global Sustainability role. I worked under Kering’s sustainability team’s guidance for five years, and have co-founded and built my own Certified B Corp, Kozm; a brand built mindfully, for mindfulness. And, most recently, I developed and teach three different Sustainable Fashion courses at Orange Coast College; it’s become a first of its kind certificate program.
Whether you’re a brand, a service provider, a student, a professional, or a conscious consumer looking for advice and guidance, I can help you.
When I'm not being hired to help infuse Triple Bottom Line thinking, actions, and solutions into businesses or your life, I'm sharing my sustainability journey and insights to help you with yours.
Sustainability is a wave that demands to be ridden. Don't miss it.
Are you a brand or individual who’s ready to learn more about sustainability and the triple bottom line but are feeling a bit overwhelmed by it all, and/or don’t quite know where to begin?
The Underswell is the most convenient starting point (or pick up point if you’re well on your way) for your sustainability journey.
Keep current on sustainability matters and triple bottom line insights so you can:
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Be a part of the movement.
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Future-proof your brand/career.
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Be an informed participant in the conversation.
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Contribute more to the solution than the problem
Sustainability Currents
Learn more at any level, any pace.
The Underswell is a one-stop shop for sustainability knowledge, insights and commentary.
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You’ll save time with a one-stop destination for lifestyle related sustainability topics.
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Know your source is reliable: You’ll get practical and streamlined sustainability perspectives from an industry professional and a college instructor.
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You’ll have a deeper sense of confidence knowing you are current on the sustainability topics that matter most.
CLIENTS & Partners
exploratory chat
Want to ensure we’re a fit? Request a 20-min call to discuss my approach and/or offerings.
consulting
Hire Derek specifically for one-on-one coaching or brand consulting (all sized projects and commitments welcomed).
learning
Enroll in The Underswell School of Understanding self-paced, online courses. Each comes with live monthly coaching.
Stay current
Subscribe to a constant flow of sustainability insights, comments, discussions, and reviews on YouTube, IG, our blog, and our newsletter.