Derek A. Sabori

Partner with clients to guide them in defining and achieving their project goals through strategic recommendations and creative execution. Develop strong relationships with key industry partners, fostering collaboration and mutual growth opportunities. Direct design and execution of business transformation initiatives to drive growth opportunities. Provide strategic counsel to clients and tactical guidance to team project managers and strategists. Coach and mentor junior team members. Launched Inspiring Perspectives podcast.

• After gathering 19 years of experience gained from working with world-class brands and leadership, it was time to share my knowledge and understanding of what it takes to engrain sustainability into an organization and/or a personal life.
• The Underswell was created as a means of allowing organizations, big and small, the opportunity to outsource, and simultaneously integrate, sustainability into their business.
• Our specialty: Corporate training, advising, educating, developing programs, and assisting in sustainability & climate action.
• Brands/Groups I've had the honor of influencing: New Balance, Volcom, Billabong, RVCA, Quiksilver, Zumiez, ASICS, SIA (Snowsports Industries America), GreenStory, Compose[d] NYC, SIMA (Surf Industry Members Association).

• Identifying a hole in the Men's yoga wear market, KOZM is a brand that is committed to doing business as unusual, with sustainability and fairness at its core, while providing products that are classic, relevant, and extremely functional for the man that appreciates an active and well-balanced lifestyle.
• As a co-founder, I play multiple part-time roles with this start up ranging from brand building, financial planning, business strategy and product development, to e-commerce, logistics and marketing outlines. www.thekozm.com

• What started as a personal passion play in 2005 turned into a global leadership position that allowed me the opportunity to steer sustainability strategy and integration at this action sports leader.
• As the global leader and liaison to the parent company, my role was integral to the inclusion of sustainability in product, events, facilities and retail operations.
• I also had the privilege of facilitating the completion of multiple E P&L (Environmental Profit & Loss) reports and Kering's A++ GRI reporting each year I held the role. My position reported to the CEO. www.volcom.com

• With a firm understanding of merchandising product lines, costing, and aligning with sales targets, I was given the challenge of forming a new division for the company; one that would bridge the gap between product planning, seasonal sales goals, and quarterly financial targets of a public company.
• I was responsible for the creation and maintenance of sales planning & merchandising coordination and tracking tools suitable for the business - from the highest to most granular level of the product range.
• My role reported to the President, with additional reports to the CFO, and SVP of Sales.

• Sent in to manage the burgeoning design team in a time of hyper-fast growth, I had the opportunity to build a team of designers, product developers and merchandisers over the course of eight years that would build some of the most memorable styles and ranges the company, and perhaps industry, had seen at the time.
• Responsible for the on-time development and delivery of multiple product ranges across multiple seasons year after year.
• § My role reported to the COO of the company and required that I manage a staff of 15+, million-dollar budgets, line plans, sales targets, customer requirements, international group travel, and national/global sales meeting execution.