Consulting | Annika Degen – Sustainability, DE&I & Gender-Climate

Strategic consulting and collaborative workshop

Consulting Philosophy

Making Complexity Workable

Today's organizations operate in a world of interconnected challenges. Climate change, social inequality, changing work environments, sustainability, diversity and innovation cannot always be addressed separately.

My consulting work brings these perspectives together. I help clients understand the bigger picture, identify strategic opportunities, and translate complex topics into clear and actionable approaches.

With experience across different industries, cultures, organizations, and regions, I bring an analytical yet empathetic perspective to consulting and advisory engagements.

“Diversity is the key to sustainability — and sustainable transformation starts by understanding the systems we are part of.”

Areas Of Expertise

Consulting That Connects The Dots

My consulting expertise covers a broad spectrum, from foundational knowledge and strategic orientation to advanced sustainability and diversity topics.

Corporate Sustainability

Support organizations in understanding and integrating sustainability into their strategy, decision-making, operations, and long-term development.

Sustainability strategy
Holistic sustainability approaches
Strategic sustainability positioning
Organizational transformation
Long-term resilience

DE&I Management

Help organizations approach Diversity, Equity & Inclusion as an essential part of culture, strategy, collaboration, and sustainable organizational development.

Diversity strategy
Equity and inclusion
Belonging and participation
Inclusive collaboration
Organizational awareness

Gender & Climate

Explore the relationship between gender inequality and climate change and identify opportunities for more inclusive and climate-just solutions.

Gender-climate nexus
Climate justice
Gender equality
Inclusive climate action
Systems perspectives

Systemic Thinking

Understand how different actors, structures, behaviors, and systems interact and how these relationships influence complex challenges.

Systems mapping
Interconnected challenges
Stakeholder perspectives
Root-cause thinking
Strategic opportunities

New Work & Transformation

Explore how changing ways of working influence culture, collaboration, leadership, participation, and organizational resilience.

Future of work
Collaborative cultures
Organizational change
Participation
New work perspectives

Strategic Advisory

Provide an external perspective when organizations need to challenge assumptions, evaluate possibilities, or navigate complex strategic questions.

Advisory sessions
Strategic analysis
Decision support
Feasibility perspectives
Strategic recommendations

How I Work

Analytical. Empathetic. Strategic.

Consulting is not about giving generic answers. Every organization has its own context, culture, challenges, resources, and opportunities.

My approach therefore starts with listening and understanding before moving toward recommendations.

A feasibility check helps ensure that strategic ideas are connected to the realities of the organization.

Understand the challenge and organizational context

Identify connections, stakeholders and systemic factors

Develop practical strategic perspectives

Test feasibility against real-world conditions

Translate insights into actionable next steps

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Participation Is Part Of Sustainability

Sustainable transformation depends on people. When different perspectives are included in decision-making, organizations can better understand risks, opportunities, and the realities of the people they affect.

I support organizations in thinking about DE&I beyond isolated initiatives and connecting inclusion with culture, strategy, collaboration, and long-term sustainability.

Diversity

Recognizing different backgrounds, perspectives, experiences and identities.

Equity

Considering different starting points and creating fairer opportunities.

Inclusion

Creating environments where people can participate meaningfully.

Belonging

Building cultures where people feel respected, heard and valued.

Gender & Climate Connecting climate justice with gender equality and systemic sustainability.

The Gender-Climate Nexus

Understanding Who Experiences Climate Change — And How

Climate change affects people around the world, but its effects are not experienced equally.

Location, age, gender, social structures, economic conditions, race, ethnicity, and access to resources can influence how people experience climate-related risks and opportunities.

My consulting perspective explores these connections and asks how organizations, businesses, policymakers, and communities can build solutions that are both sustainable and climate-just.

Gender equality in climate action

Climate justice and social equity

Inclusive sustainability strategies

Systems thinking across people and planet

Participation in climate-related decision-making

Advisory Support

From First Questions To Strategic Direction

Consulting can take different forms depending on the challenge, knowledge level, and desired outcome.

Foundational Guidance

For organizations that are beginning their sustainability, DE&I, or systemic transformation journey and need clarity about where to start.

Introduction to key concepts
Current-state reflection
Priority identification
Initial strategic orientation

Advanced Strategic Support

For organizations with established initiatives that want to deepen their approach, challenge existing assumptions, or explore new strategic opportunities.

Strategic review
Advanced sustainability perspectives
DE&I integration
Transformation opportunities

Executive Perspective

An external perspective for leaders who need to discuss complex sustainability, inclusion, or transformation questions confidentially and strategically.

Decision support
Strategic reflection
Challenge sessions
Opportunity assessment

Project-Based Consulting

Focused support around a defined challenge, project, workshop, strategic question, or organizational initiative.

Project framing
Research and analysis
Strategy development
Recommendations and next steps

The Consulting Journey

A Clear Path From Challenge To Action

The exact process is adapted to each engagement, but successful consulting starts with understanding and ends with clarity about what happens next.

Listen

Understand your organization, context, goals, challenges, and existing knowledge.

Connect

Identify relationships between sustainability, people, systems, culture, and strategic priorities.

Develop

Create strategic perspectives and practical approaches based on the specific challenge.

Act

Translate insights into realistic recommendations and clear next steps for implementation.

Is Consulting The Right Fit?

Let's Explore The Question Together

A preliminary conversation can help determine whether my expertise matches your challenge and whether a consulting engagement makes sense.

You May Be Looking For...

A sustainability strategy or fresh strategic perspective.
Support connecting sustainability with DE&I.
An external perspective on a complex organizational challenge.
Ways to strengthen participation and collaboration.
A deeper understanding of the Gender-Climate Nexus.
Strategic support during transformation or change.

What We Can Clarify First

Before starting a project, we can discuss your challenge, your objectives, the desired level of support, and whether there is a strong fit between your needs and my expertise.

This initial feasibility perspective helps create a focused and meaningful consulting engagement rather than forcing a standard package onto a unique challenge.

Discuss Your Challenge

Strategy For A Better Tomorrow.