What's an Underswell?
After 30 years across various industries, I've learned that the most meaningful breakthroughs come from mastering those small but essential things that happen beneath the surface.
The Underswell grew from seeing talented professionals and forward-thinking companies struggle to connect their values with visible impact. Every sustainability course, career development podcast episode, and professional podcasting collaboration helps build something bigger: a community where purpose-driven professionals and organizations thrive and get the recognition they deserve.
If you're here, you're already part of building something meaningful together - a space where doing good work and getting recognized for it aren't mutually exclusive.
The Underswell is the momentum we're building underneath the surface.
Nice to Meet You
I'm Derek Sabori
Everyone has a unique career journey and I'm fascinated by them all.
I started in retail and worked my way through a Studio Arts degree and an MBA. I've worked as a photographer's assistant, in restaurants and retail chains, in apparel design & manufacturing, and was a VP of Sustainability in the action sports industry before developing and teaching a sustainability curriculum for a college fashion department.
I've helped start a brand, consulted, and worked for a sustainability strategy and communications agency, served on boards, and have even found myself as President of the UC Irvine Alumni Association.
One thing I've realized... It all ties together, and we can all learn from one another.
Today, I apply what I’ve learned to train future sustainability leaders and help people like you share their stories authentically. Let's show the world who you are, what you're working on, where you're going, and how damn good you are.
Need a moderator or a host for your event?
Here's something else to consider: I've built a reputation for engaging panel moderation, event hosting, and workshop facilitation. If you're looking for a well-rounded professional to interact with your experts and audience, let's find a time to chat.
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