Love-Your-Planet Creative Communications: Founder

Love-Your-Planet founder Linda Sobel Katz has been thinking green since her first job, when she raised the 4-H Club clover to new heights as the University of Maryland's information specialist for youth programs. The Head-Heart-Hands-Health motto was applied to popular promotional materials - developed by Katz and emulated on the national level - to attract inner-city children and farm youth too.

Later Katz went political - helping an underdog win a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. Joining his Capitol Hill staff, she became involved in international human rights issues, traveled to the former Soviet Union in 1981 to meet with dissidents, propelled the freshman Congressman into a leadership role in "speaking out for those who are unable to speak for themselves," and helped him spearhead a quiet, international effort to rescue minorities from oppression.

Next, Katz helped a colleague start a survey research firm in Bethesda, Maryland, where she specialized in political consulting, creating and producing campaign literature and direct mail for candidates in tough races where green issues were sometimes at stake.

Opportunities intervened to act both locally and globally. Katz became engaged in revitalization efforts close to home, then originated for Garland Publishing the first-of-its-kind international reference book, Environment Profiles: A Global Guide to Projects and People used in two dozen countries worldwide. She also conceptualized and produced Democrats and American Ideals for a national presidential nominating convention.

In 1994, Katz rejoined Potomac Incorporated - helping it grow into a full-service public affairs, research, and marketing firm - while developing awareness campaigns and materials on behalf of alternative transportation, recycling, livable communities, and more issues that shape our future.

But the global warming issue, which had surfaced in research for Environmental Profiles, continued to haunt. Then the tragedy of 9/11 paired with America's continued reliance on diminishing and ecologically harmful fossil fuels forced a life-changing decision:

Devote the productive years to fostering a healthy, livable world for our children and theirs.

	Producing Environmental Profiles "A valuable resource...for anyone concerned about the global challenge of restoring ecological balance to our fragile planet."
	Al Gore Vice President of The United States

Pursuing International Human Rights Building coalitions, stirring awareness, and saving lives on behalf of the U.S. Congress.

	Promoting Livable Communities through grassroots action, earned media, print materials with powerful messages, and festive events bringing people together.

Pushing Alternative Transportation Convincing commuters to use transit, bike, walk, or telework.

	Preparing Campaigns that spark ideas and positive action, and foster a healthy economy and environment.