Strategic Earth Consulting is a woman-owned, small business enterprise established in 2008. We are deeply committed to supporting diverse voices in natural resource decision-making and management.
Our core team brings over 20 years of experience developing and implementing communications and public engagement projects based on the value and long-term benefits of relationship building.
FOUNDER & CEO
Kelly Sayce is a principal and co-founder of Strategic Earth Consulting, with over fifteen years of experience formulating and implementing effective outreach and engagement strategies. Kelly has designed and managed a variety of community engagement and public relations programs for business, government, and non-profit organizations. She has facilitated public involvement and outreach programs, collaborative processes, and policy dialogues on environmental decisions related to coastal resources, water, and energy.
Kelly’s success in connecting disparate stakeholder groups stems from her unbiased approach to relationship building and genuine interest to learn from a broad range of perspectives. Her open approach and deep working knowledge of innovative engagement and social media tools has led her to develop unique communications strategies that inspire diverse public participation in environmental decision-making.
Kelly holds a B.Sc. in biology and environmental science from Trent University, Canada and a Masters of Applied Studies in marine biodiversity and conservation from the Scripps Institution of Oceanography at the University of California, San Diego. Kelly has received a professional certification in “Negotiating Effective Environmental Agreements” and was a recipient of the 2010 Innovation in Technology Award from the US Institute for Environmental Conflict Resolution.
PRINCIPAL
Rachelle is a senior associate who joined the Strategic Earth team in January 2010. Her extensive experience in marine and coastal policy and legislation, marine and coastal ecology research, area-based management, fisheries management, environmental communications and environmental education coupled with her interest connecting diverse audiences around these topics has been a valuable asset to the work we do. Rachelle is skilled in assessing complex policy issues related to coastal and marine resource management and translating those ideas to a broader audience in accessible ways. She is proficient in community outreach and engagement, and communicating with a diverse public. Rachelle’s success in the areas of strategic planning, issue resolution, strategic communications, policy navigation, information synthesis and report writing, and project management is rooted in her desire to address issues holistically, inclusively, and with an attention to detail.
Rachelle is a 2008 California Sea Grant Fellowship recipient and holds a B.Sc. in Biology from the University of California, Santa Barbara and a Masters of Applied Studies in Marine Biodiversity and Conservation from Scripps Institution of Oceanography at University of California, San Diego.
SENIOR ASSOCIATE
Sara joined Strategic Earth as an Associate in 2016, bringing a strong science-based background that adds value and enhances the work of Strategic Earth. Her area of expertise is the effects of climate change, particularly ocean acidification, on marine fish. Sara is skilled at asking important questions, developing experiments to test hypotheses, analyzing data, and conveying findings to the scientific and broader community through presentations and publications.
Sara’s experience and success in strategic planning, project management, information synthesis, and communication stem from her extensive research training and collaboration with national and international scientists, government agencies, and industry. She is passionate about strengthening the linkage between science, policy, and communications to effectively contribute to complex environmental issues and decision-making processes.
Sara holds a B.A. in Marine Science from the University of California, Berkeley, and a M.S. and Ph.D. in Oceanography from the Scripps Institution of Oceanography at the University of California, San Diego. Sara is the recipient of awards from the National Science Foundation, universities, industries, and private donors as a result of her academic excellence. Sara also enjoys teaching an ‘Introduction to the Ocean’ course as an adjunct professor at the University of California, Berkeley.
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Strategic Earth is at its best when surrounded by experts from a range of backgrounds and disciplines who work together to arrive at creative approaches that might otherwise not have been considered.
Our team actively collaborates with other contractors and experts depending on the needs of each project.
