WE’RE FOCUSED

ON CLIMATE SOLUTIONS

We believe climate change is the most urgent problem in our lifetime. That's why we work exclusively with climate and sustainability leaders in tech, politics and advocacy to ignite transformative change.

The Future Reference is an AI-enhanced strategic communications agency located in San Francisco and Washington DC.

Since 2003, our team members have been at the highest levels of corporations, governments and nonprofits, shaping complex global sustainability solutions. We bring that expertise to our clients and we bring our clients inside our world.

We understand your science. We know your potential partners. We are climate industry insiders with clients in carbon removal, blue economy, biodiversity, ag tech, policy, national security, data analytics and verification. We’re here to tell the world about your solutions.

SERVICES WE PROVIDE

FOUNDATIONAL ESSENTIALS

Designed for newly established organizations and startups, we lay the groundwork with clear branding, effective messaging, media training and events. It's essential for those looking to establish a strong market presence and communicate their mission with impact from the outset.

GROWTH AND AWARENESS

Aimed at organizations looking to expand their impact and visibility, at this stage we focus on competitive positioning, target audiences and engagement strategies enhanced by AI insights. We bring strategic navigation of PR challenges and real-time feedback on public perception, enabling swift adaptation to market changes.

LEADERSHIP & INFLUENCE

Tailored for established organizations and brands striving to lead the climate conversation, we provide advanced PR strategies, global communications, partnership deals and thought leadership initiatives powered by AI analytics.

AI-POWERED BRAND + PR MONITORING

A versatile offering for real-time reputation monitoring and insights from across social media, online news, and other digital platforms, complete with daily personalized AI recommendations. Essential at-a-glance answers for leaders at any stage of their sustainability efforts.

OUR TEAM

We combine the collective expertise of leading public relations specialists, climate scientists, top corporate and political strategists, and cultural communicators to drive deep engagement and investment for our clients.

Debriana Berlin, Founder & CEO

·      Leads TFR’s client services, public relations and business operations.
·      Brings 25 years of global climate strategy at executive levels in corporate, government, startups and nonprofits.
·      Headed strategic communications for US EPA under the Obama Administration.
·      Ran ESG public relations for Edelman’s London office, serving Europe & Middle East.
·      Founded and successfully exited two previous startups.
·      Techstars Mentor, Lecturer at University of Southern California.
·      BS Advertising/Public Policy, MS Environmental Business
deb@thefuturereference.co

Robin-Marie Williams Senior Advisor

• Leads Harmonic International, our sister agency in Washington DC.
• Executed ommunications strategy for three White House administrations, CEOs of AT&T, Capital One and Sprint PCS, military generals, and heads of NASA and NOAA.
• Uniquely able to help leaders define and articulate their vision and achieve a sustainable competitive advantage, by identifying underutilized assets and unseen barriers.
• Partner, Director of Strategic Planning at Earle Palmer Brown Advertising, leading research ang planning nationwide for Fortune 50 companies.
• B.A. in Political Science, MBA

Brian Fandetti Creative Director

• Leads TRF’s creative development with 30+ years of experience at many of the country’s most creative agencies, including The Martin Agency, Mullen, Hill Holiday, Saatchi & Saatchi, DDB Worldwide and Leonard Monahan.
• Manages the creative process, collaborating on the creative brief, carefully translating clients’ goals into world class visuals and graphic design, making the process fun, and as the title says – directing the work.
• Clients include NASA, NOAA, US Air Force, Crest Oral Care, Timberland, Wrangler Jeans, Southcoast Health, American Stock Exchange, Stihl Power Tools, Bentley Motor Cars and Keds.
• BFA in Advertising & Graphic Design

Brian Kraft, Chief Marketing Officer

·      Leads TFR’s AI-enhanced client services and business development.
·      Specializes in development of AI tools and systems designed to measure and track the effectiveness of communications.
·      Manages national research projects and government relations for Harmonic International, TFR’s partner agency.
·      Clients include NASA, NOAA, EPA, US Air Force, two White House Administrations plus climate tech startups & political candidates.
·      BS Electrical Engineering

Dr. Nathan Walworth, Chief Scientist

· Leads TFR’s cultural intelligence, climate science and client data interpretation.

· Applies deep expertise in behavioral science, global change, exponential technologies and the earth biome to market-based strategies for our clients.

· VP, Head of Microbiome Science at Vesta

· Co-Founder of the NEXUS Futurism Working Group, Covalence, Ocean SOS and Asha Apothecary

· Adjunct Professor at the University of Southern California

· PhD Evolutionary Microbiology

Ryan Stanley, Sustainability Coordinator

·      Cultivates TFR’s media connections for clients across the climate technology space and other specialized industries.
·      Assists clients with communications, sustainability strategy, outreach and insights to Generation Z preferences.
·      BS Environmental Studies

OUR CLIENTS