Change is art, strategy provides its structure and story gives its soul.
I’m an Impact Strategist and Creative Director who believes in the power of people to drive real change. I connect changemakers from the Global South and North to take on the world’s biggest challenges and champion human rights and climate action. Collaboration is at the heart of everything I do and I’m always up for sparking new ideas and building what comes next.
For over two decades, I’ve led creative agencies, built movements, and turned bold ideas into lasting impact. I’ve lived and worked across continents, immersing myself in diverse cultures and building a global network of changemakers, people who don’t just talk about making a difference, but make it happen.
I move fluidly between worlds - governments, global brands, grassroots organizations, UN agencies, and startups -bringing them together to spark real transformation. My work bridges vision and action, connecting people with purpose to create meaningful change.
Mentoring and teaching are also at the core of what I do. Through my lectures on design activism, social impact, marketing, and sustainability at universities around the world, I want to inspire students and professionals to see the climate crisis and human rights not as distant issues, but as urgent calls to act within their own fields.
I want to - and need to - learn every day, and I do that through people. Because real change doesn’t happen alone, it begins when we connect, collaborate, and move forward with intention.
Mentoring and keynotes
I’ve mentored and coached leaders and professionals from all walks of life: helping management teams and boards turn vision into action. Together, we’ve refined strategies, built sustainable ways to grow, forged meaningful partnerships, and mapped bold paths for international expansion.
I also speak at events and run hands-on workshops on global sustainability, strategy, branding, marketing, and storytelling. My mission is to spark ideas, challenge perspectives, and help people see new possibilities.
Whether you’re looking for a trusted mentor, a strategic guide, or a creative ally, I can join your team to open new doors and create real, lasting impact.
Impact Strategies
I help unlock the true potential of sustainability: showing what it can offer and sharing the latest global insights that are shaping the future. Whether it’s weaving sustainability into a business strategy or crafting operational plans for organizations and public sector actors, I guide projects of all kinds with a clear, strategic focus.
Crafting a forward-thinking strategy demands up-to-date skills and fresh knowledge. That’s why I stay connected to a wide network of experts and changemakers around the world - bringing the best insights directly to my clients.
Together, we turn sustainability from a buzzword into real, actionable impact.
Creative Concepts
For years, I’ve thrived as a creative director in top advertising agencies, shaping the creative vision and strategy for countless clients.
Behind every successful brand and campaign I’ve led is a deep understanding of diverse markets and cultures - a perspective that fuels fresh ideas and meaningful connections.
What sets me apart is not just my strategic insight, but my ability to bring together talented international teams that turn concepts into impactful realities. Whether it’s brand strategy, creative storytelling, or marketing innovation, I’m here to craft solutions that truly resonate across borders.
Don't raise your voice, improve your argument. - Desmond Tutu
COP28 + UNFCCC: Building Capacity for Youth Leadership
Change Vision: Young people have long been missing from global education and climate decision-making. In partnership with the COP28 International Youth Climate Delegate Program (IYCDP), we set out to change that.
Action: The IYCDP embedded 100 youth delegates in COP28, prioritizing voices from LDCs, SIDS, Indigenous Peoples, and other marginalized groups. We equipped them with tools and training to navigate policy, leverage resources, and create innovative approaches to climate action.
Impact: Guided by our mentorship, youth groups developed 15 actionable modules presented at COP28 to influence negotiations. The collaboration continues toward COP29, strengthening youth participation in global climate governance.
Iraq and Afghanistan: Empowering Youth to Rebuild Society
Change Vision: In partnership with Finland’s Ministry for Foreign Affairs, we launched a communication project in Iraq and Afghanistan to amplify youth voices in peace and reconciliation. In societies scarred by conflict, empowering young people to lead change was vital.
Action: From 2019–2022, we formed youth peace ambassador groups, providing training in communication, negotiation, and conflict resolution. Workshops connected participants with mentors and peers, enabling them to design and implement their own peace initiatives.
Impact: The project shared youth perspectives through performances and social media, reaching over 19 million views. Participants gained purpose, belonging, and agency, with plans to expand to new regions.
Design Activism in Nairobi: Design as a Tool for Systemic Change
Change Vision: Traditional design education often focuses on objects, while the world faces complex systemic challenges. In Kenya, a new generation of creatives is redefining design as a tool for social and environmental transformation.
Action: In Nairobi, we hosted a Design Activism session, bringing together artists, strategists, researchers, and activists. The event provided an open, collaborative space for critical thinking and policy-oriented design, challenging conventional approaches to creative practice.
Impact: Participants co-created a shared vision for design-driven change, developing a practical framework to apply design thinking toward more inclusive, sustainable, and systemic solutions.
Let’s talk!
I’m a true believer in the power of collaboration. There’s nothing better than sparking ideas together and igniting fresh ways of thinking. If you’re curious or ready to explore new possibilities, drop me a line - let’s start a conversation and see where it takes us.
arto@artosivonen.com