Sustainable Catalyst Advisory
Strategy & Systems Advisory
Evidence-first research, strategy, knowledge architecture, technical storytelling, sustainability analysis, and responsible systems implementation.
Sustainable Catalyst provides selective consulting and advisory support for research-driven organizations working across sustainability, technology, knowledge systems, public-interest research, and complex decision-making.
I help teams turn scattered information, uncertain claims, disconnected workflows, and difficult technical ideas into structured knowledge systems, defensible strategies, usable platforms, and decision-ready outputs.
Founder-led advisory with clear scopes, realistic deliverables, transparent methods, and reviewable outputs. No hype. No greenwashing. No unsupported claims. No guaranteed outcomes.
Advisory Overview
Build the System Behind the Strategy
Sustainable Catalyst advisory connects research, evidence, narrative, measurement,
documentation, governance, technology, and decision-making rather than treating them
as isolated deliverables.
Address the Real System
Sustainable Catalyst advisory is designed for organizations that need more than messaging polish, a generic strategy deck, or an isolated technology recommendation. The work connects research, evidence, narrative, measurement, documentation, governance, technology, and decision-making.
Create Durable Work
An engagement can address one defined problem or extend across a larger research, publishing, analytics, knowledge, or platform environment. Every engagement is structured around practical artifacts that the client can review, retain, maintain, and improve.
Use a Working Public Model
Sustainable Catalyst itself serves as a working demonstration of this approach: a connected public knowledge environment spanning a structured Research Library, Research Lab, Workbench, Site Intelligence, Decision Studio, Research Librarian, open-source repositories, and reproducible research workflows.
Good Fit For
Organizations That Need Information, Evidence, and Decisions to Stay Connected
This work is best suited to teams facing complex research, communication, sustainability, technology, governance, documentation, or knowledge-management problems that cannot be solved through surface-level messaging alone.
01
Research-Driven Organizations
Nonprofits, foundations, associations, university centers, publications, public-interest initiatives, and research programs that need stronger knowledge architecture, evidence discipline, or public research systems.
02
Technical and Product Teams
Teams building AI, analytics, climate, energy, data, education, civic technology, developer, or sustainability products that require coherent technical narratives, documentation, workflows, and responsible product framing.
03
Sustainability and Impact Teams
Organizations that need defensible claims, indicator systems, evidence maps, decision frameworks, scenario analysis, reporting structures, or clearer limits around what available evidence can support.
04
Content and Knowledge Leaders
Teams managing large bodies of research, documentation, editorial content, technical materials, public resources, or institutional knowledge that have become fragmented, difficult to retrieve, or hard to maintain.
Fees
Clear Starting Points
Published fees make it easier to determine whether an engagement is financially realistic before beginning a detailed scoping process. Final proposals reflect complexity, risk, timeline, stakeholder involvement, source volume, technical requirements, and agreed deliverables.
No charge
Initial Fit Call
A focused 20-minute conversation to determine whether the problem, available budget, delivery timeline, and Sustainable Catalyst approach are aligned.
This is a fit assessment rather than an advisory session.
Analysis, document review, research, and written recommendations
are not included.
$375 fixed
Strategic Advisory Consultation
A 90-minute working consultation focused on one defined strategic, research, knowledge-system, sustainability, content, or technology question.
Includes advance review of up to five supplied documents and a concise
written summary of findings, priorities, and recommended next steps.
$1,500 fixed
Evidence and Systems Diagnostic
A structured review of an existing content system, research workflow, evidence base, platform concept, reporting process, or public-facing claim set.
Includes a findings report, risk and gap assessment,
priority recommendations, and a practical implementation roadmap.
$5,000–$8,500
Strategy and Architecture Sprint
A three-to-five-week engagement that converts a complex problem into a defined strategy, knowledge architecture, evidence system, operating workflow, or implementation plan.
Scope and final fee depend on research volume, stakeholder involvement,
technical complexity, and the number and depth of required artifacts.
Starting at $12,000
Knowledge Platform or Workflow Build
Design and implementation support for a connected research library, knowledge system, documentation environment, analytical workflow, public-interest platform, or AI-assisted retrieval system.
Appropriate for larger builds requiring architecture, schemas,
platform configuration, governance, documentation,
staged delivery, and team training.
$1,500–$4,500
Training and Workshops
Private sessions for teams working on research systems, technical storytelling, evidence discipline, AI governance, sustainability claims, documentation, systems thinking, or knowledge architecture.
Fees vary by session length, customization, preparation requirements,
group size, delivery format, and travel requirements.
Project Engagements
Defined Work with Practical Deliverables
Project engagements are scoped around a specific problem, delivery period, and set of outputs. They are generally priced as fixed-fee engagements rather than open-ended hourly work.
01
Evidence, Claims, and Narrative Audit
Review public claims, strategic narratives, reports, impact language, product positioning, methodology statements, and supporting sources.
The work identifies unsupported claims, hidden assumptions, unclear methods, evidence gaps, reputational risks, and opportunities to improve accuracy without weakening the story.
Typical fee:
$1,500 for a focused diagnostic or $5,000–$7,500
for a broader multi-document audit and redesign.
Typical deliverables:
Claim register, evidence map, risk assessment,
narrative recommendations, source standards,
and revision priorities.
02
Knowledge Architecture and Research Systems
Organize disconnected reports, articles, documentation, repositories, media, datasets, and research materials into a structured knowledge environment.
The engagement can address taxonomy, metadata, content relationships, retrieval, navigation, editorial governance, research workflows, and AI-assisted discovery.
Typical fee:
$5,000–$8,500 for strategy and architecture.
Platform builds begin at $12,000.
Typical deliverables:
System map, taxonomy, metadata model, content types,
relationship schema, governance rules, migration plan,
and implementation specification.
03
Technical Storytelling and Product Dossiers
Translate a technically complex product, platform, research initiative, or system into a coherent narrative that can be understood by decision-makers, partners, developers, funders, and public audiences.
This can connect product architecture, use cases, technical documentation, research evidence, governance boundaries, implementation logic, and public positioning.
Typical fee:
$5,000–$8,500 for a defined product,
platform, or technical narrative sprint.
Typical deliverables:
Product dossier, architecture narrative, use-case map,
capability model, documentation structure,
message framework, and stakeholder brief.
04
Measurement and Indicator Design
Define what should be measured, why it matters, how indicators should be calculated, what data is required, where uncertainty enters, and how results should inform decisions.
The work emphasizes transparent assumptions, traceable calculations, responsible interpretation, maintainable data structures, and clear boundaries around what indicators can and cannot demonstrate.
Typical fee:
$5,000–$8,500 for a focused measurement
and indicator architecture.
Typical deliverables:
Indicator registry, calculation logic, data requirements,
source map, uncertainty notes, update protocol,
dashboard specification, and interpretation guidance.
05
Decision Dossiers and Systems Analysis
Structure a consequential organizational question through problem framing, evidence review, assumptions, scenarios, tradeoffs, risks, uncertainties, stakeholder effects, and implementation considerations.
Sustainable Catalyst tools and methods may support calculations, scenario comparisons, research retrieval, structured reasoning, visual analysis, and documentation.
Typical fee:
$5,000–$8,500 for a defined decision
or systems-analysis sprint.
Typical deliverables:
Evidence dossier, claims and assumptions register,
scenario comparison, risk map, decision brief,
implementation options, and documented limitations.
06
Responsible AI and Knowledge Workflow Design
Design AI-assisted research, retrieval, documentation, analysis, and publishing workflows that remain bounded, reviewable, source-aware, and accountable to human judgment.
The focus is not generic AI adoption. The focus is identifying where AI is useful, where it is unreliable, what must remain human-led, and what governance and validation controls are required.
Typical fee:
$5,000–$8,500 for workflow strategy.
Implementation-oriented systems begin at $12,000.
Typical deliverables:
Workflow map, scope boundaries, source requirements,
review controls, model-use policy, validation plan,
documentation standards, and implementation roadmap.
Monthly Advisory
Ongoing Research, Strategy, and Systems Partnerships
Monthly advisory is designed for organizations that need continuity rather than a one-time report. Each engagement reserves a defined level of access, analysis, review, and delivery capacity. Monthly engagements begin with a three-month initial term and are billed in advance. Unused capacity does not roll over unless otherwise specified in the engagement agreement.
$2,500 per month
Advisory Partner
Ongoing strategic access for a team that needs regular guidance, review, and structured outside perspective.
Includes:
One monthly strategy session, one focused document or system review,
concise written recommendations, reasonable asynchronous questions,
and quarterly priority planning.
Best for:
Founders, small teams, publications, research initiatives,
and organizations managing one active workstream.
$4,000 per month
Systems Partner
Recurring research, architecture, documentation, and strategic support for an organization developing or improving a connected system.
Includes:
Two working sessions per month, one active research
or system-development stream, monthly written analysis,
document and workflow review, and priority response.
Best for:
Organizations building knowledge systems, technical narratives,
research programs, indicator environments,
responsible AI workflows, or public platforms.
$6,000 per month
Embedded Knowledge Partner
A deeper advisory relationship for teams that need sustained involvement across research, strategy, content, systems, and implementation.
Includes:
Weekly working sessions, active architecture and implementation oversight,
recurring research or decision dossiers, documentation development,
stakeholder review, and reserved priority capacity.
Best for:
Institutions managing a substantial platform, transformation,
research, sustainability, documentation,
or knowledge-system initiative.
Custom scope
Institutional Platform Partnership
A larger engagement combining platform strategy, knowledge architecture, research workflows, software configuration, analytics, governance, documentation, and team enablement.
Fee structure:
Custom monthly or milestone proposal, generally following
an initial paid diagnostic or architecture sprint.
Best for:
University centers, associations, foundations, consultancies,
publishers, public-interest organizations,
and research institutions.
Training and Workshops
Build Internal Capability
Private workshops translate Sustainable Catalyst methods into practical learning experiences for teams. Sessions can be delivered remotely or in person.
$1,500
Focused Virtual Workshop
A customized 90-minute virtual session for a defined team, including preparation, presentation materials, discussion, and a practical follow-up resource.
$2,500
Virtual Working Session
A customized half-day virtual workshop combining instruction, structured exercises, collaborative analysis, and implementation planning.
$4,500
Full-Day Team Workshop
A customized full-day engagement with deeper instruction, facilitated working sessions, team exercises, and a post-session findings and recommendations memo.
Custom scope
Workshop Series or Cohort
A multi-session learning program addressing knowledge systems, technical storytelling, sustainability evidence, AI governance, research architecture, or decision support.
In-person workshop fees exclude travel, lodging, venue, equipment, and other direct delivery expenses.
Engagement Process
How the Work Moves Forward
The process moves from fit and diagnosis to a documented scope, practical delivery, review, and an optional continuing relationship.
01
Assess FitBegin with a short conversation about the problem
, organization, decision-makers, desired outcomes, delivery timeline, and available budget.
02
DiagnoseReview the relevant claims
, documents, systems, sources, workflows, stakeholders, constraints, and existing technical environment.
03
Define ScopeEstablish the questions to be answered
, work to be completed, deliverables, responsibilities, boundaries, milestones, and fee.
04
BuildConduct the research
, analysis, architecture, writing, documentation, system design, or implementation support.
05
ReviewPresent findings and working artifacts
, gather structured feedback, resolve questions, and complete the agreed revision process.
06
Transfer or ContinueDeliver reusable materials and documentation
, support internal adoption, or move into an ongoing advisory or systems partnership.
Deliverables
Work That Remains Useful After the Engagement Ends
Deliverables vary by scope, but the work is designed to produce durable artifacts rather than disappearing into meetings, presentations, or undocumented recommendations.
Research
Evidence and Source Systems
Evidence maps, source registries, annotated research records, claim registers, literature structures, research routes, and provenance standards.
Architecture
Knowledge and Workflow Models
Taxonomies, topic maps, metadata schemas, content models, relationship structures, workflow diagrams, governance rules, and platform specifications.
Strategy
Decision and Implementation Materials
Strategy briefs, technical narratives, product dossiers, indicator frameworks, scenario analyses, implementation roadmaps, review criteria, and operating documentation.
Fee Terms
Straightforward Commercial Terms
Each engagement is governed by a written proposal or agreement defining scope, deliverables, payment, timing, responsibilities, intellectual property, confidentiality, revision limits, and termination conditions.
Consultations are paid when scheduled.
Strategic advisory consultations are confirmed after payment and receipt of any requested background materials.
Fixed-fee projects require an initial deposit.
Projects generally require a 50% deposit to reserve the engagement. The remaining balance is due according to the milestones stated in the proposal and before final transfer of completed deliverables.
Larger builds use milestone billing.
Projects above $10,000 may be divided into architecture, prototype, implementation, documentation, validation, and handoff milestones.
Monthly advisory is paid in advance.
Advisory capacity is reserved for the client and begins with a three-month initial commitment unless a different term is stated in the agreement.
Scope changes require written approval.
Work outside the approved scope is not performed automatically. Additional work is documented and quoted before it begins.
Direct expenses are separate.
Third-party software, data purchases, hosting, specialist services, travel, lodging, printing, venues, and other direct expenses are excluded unless specifically included in the proposal.
Responsible Boundaries
Clear Limits Protect the Quality of the Work
Sustainable Catalyst advisory is focused on research, strategy, knowledge architecture, systems design, technical communication, methodology, documentation, analysis, and responsible implementation guidance.
No legal, financial, medical, tax, compliance, or certification advice.
The work may support research, documentation, analysis, and decision preparation in high-stakes domains, but it does not replace appropriately licensed or qualified professional advice.
No guaranteed organizational or market outcomes.
Advisory work can improve clarity, evidence quality, architecture, documentation, workflow design, and decision support. It cannot guarantee funding, adoption, certification, approval, compliance, revenue, or market results.
No greenwashing or unsupported positioning.
When evidence does not support a claim, the recommendation will be to revise the claim, strengthen the evidence base, disclose uncertainty, or avoid making the claim.
AI remains subordinate to human judgment.
AI-assisted methods may support retrieval, drafting, analysis, classification, calculation, or workflow automation. Material outputs still require defined sources, human review, validation, and accountable ownership.
Open-source software is provided as-is.
A paid engagement may cover configuration, adaptation, documentation, implementation planning, training, or maintenance, but public open-source availability does not create an ongoing support obligation.
Fit matters more than closing every engagement.
When a request falls outside the appropriate scope, expertise, capacity, or responsible-use boundaries, I will identify that limitation rather than overstate what can be delivered.
Start a Conversation
Bring a Defined Problem, Not a Perfect Brief
A useful inquiry explains the organization, the problem being addressed, the current system or materials, the decision that needs to be made, the desired delivery period, and the available budget range.
The initial fit call determines whether the work should begin with a strategic consultation, diagnostic, project sprint, platform build, workshop, or ongoing advisory partnership.