Designing for a Sector in Crisis

As the Founder and Creative Director of Cosmic, a U.S.-based creative studio working at the intersection of design and social change, Eric Ressler has spent years helping mission-driven organisations communicate with clarity and purpose. In this episode, he unpacks the mounting challenges facing the nonprofit sector—from shrinking federal funding to a digital culture that makes it harder to break through.

The pressures aren’t just affecting the organisations Cosmic supports, they’re reshaping the work itself. As funding dries up and uncertainty grows, Eric and his team are increasingly focused on helping clients cut through the noise, align their core mission, and communicate with conviction.

He brings a sharp perspective on what’s needed next: a shift in how we approach ‘Design Thinking,’ deeper coalition-building to reduce duplication, and a more intentional relationship with technology—one that helps us stay human while driving impact.

Eric Ressler

Rewriting the Rules of Women’s Health Tech

How can digital innovation serve millions of women, without selling their data or betraying their trust? Amber Vodegel, CEO of 28X, shares how she’s building a platform to transform how women engage with their health.

28X is a purpose-driven health tech company launching its first product later this year: a simple, accessible period tracker that does more than its competitors. Guided by three core principles—privacy, inclusivity, and no subscriptions—Amber’s team is creating a new kind of platform: one that educates, protects, and empowers.

In this episode, Amber discusses how to scale with purpose in a space often dominated by extractive models. She explores the ethical, strategic, and technical decisions behind 28X’s development, from refusing traditional VC funding to eliminating cloud-based data storage. She also reflects on the power of storytelling, the importance of external feedback, and the evolving definition of success in a sector that still too often fails its users.

Amber Vodegel

Ecosystems of Impact

Andrew Wordsworth, co-founder and CEO of Sustainable Ventures, returns to The Purposeful Strategist at a time of rapid growth and transformation for the climate tech sector. Having now supported over 1,000 startups, Sustainable Ventures has doubled down on its mission to expand its footprint across the UK and Northern Europe.

In this episode, Andrew shares how the firm is building a distributed ecosystem to serve climate entrepreneurs where they are, offering capital, community, and consulting support across the UK. He reflects on the shift from start-up to scale-up, the firm’s decision to bring on external investment, and why connecting regional stakeholders is critical for turning innovation into impact.

We also discuss the role of AI in accelerating climate tech, from operational efficiencies to strategic tools, and how Sustainable Ventures is keeping its purpose at the centre of a growing, customer-centric business model. For Andrew, climate isn’t just a challenge; it’s one of the greatest economic opportunities of our time.

Interested in Sustainable Venture’s workspaces? Check them out here: https://www.sustainableventures.co.uk/workspaces

Andrew Wordsworth