Burnett Strategy and Communications

Sustainability and Food Systems Strategy

Whether you're new to sustainability or need deep expertise on critical issues, we are here for you. We craft bespoke strategies that are built to grow and protect your business.

Brand Building Communications

From bold brand acts to thought leadership, we help you engage and influence stakeholders. We design communication strategies that capture hearts and minds.

Advising and Upskilling

From workshops to personal coaching, we support communications and sustainability leaders. Whether you need to upskill the team or get a review of your latest strategy, we are here to enable and empower your team.

Sara Burnett

Founder and Principal Consultant

Burnett Strategy and Communications was founded in 2023 with a mission to help grow purpose-driven organizations and increase their impact. From non-profit industry collaboratives to leading consumer brands, Sara helps clients craft bespoke sustainability and communications strategies.

For more than 18 years Sara Burnett led public relations, food beliefs, sustainability, and philanthropy at an iconic, category-leading retail and CPG brand. As the VP of Food Beliefs, Sustainability, and Public Relations for Panera Bread and Panera Brands, Sara has a history of brand-building strategies and campaigns, from buzzworthy consumer-facing brand acts to executive and IPO communications. She has served as a brand spokesperson, campaign lead, and executive advisor, expertly blending her communication skills with a deep understanding of policy, social responsibility, and sustainability. Her work has been widely recognized including two Emmy nominations for short-form digital content series and being named one of the 20 most purpose-driven brands.

She began her career as a scientist and supply chain expert when Panera was in its early growth phase. To fuel their growth, she honed her strategy and collaboration skills building industry-leading and marketable programs in quality, climate strategy, and animal welfare. Most notably in 2013, she authored the corporation's Food Policy and Clean Food commitment, solidifying Panera’s brand position as a leader in fast casual and emerged as a sought-after industry voice in policy, social responsibility, and sustainability.

LEADING CPG BRAND

Taking Action on Regenerative Agriculture

Established a multi-year roadmap to build a credible regenerative agriculture program. From a materiality assessment and review of the supply chain to developing KPIs, the strategic plan begins with practice-based program and evolves to a robust, outcome based program over time.

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INDUSTRY COALITION

Expanding impact through collaboration

Supported a leading non-profit as it expanded its impact objectives. Developed white paper and created new brand positioning to enable new research and increase their engagement and influence.

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EMERGING BRAND

Upskilling and Advising

Coached a new sustainability leader, connecting them to critical resources, educating them on key topics, and reviewing strategy. Through our work, we accelerated their impact agenda and unlocked a new supply chain partnership.

We blend science and storytelling, simplify the complex, and work together to solve your most pressing problems. We craft the strategy and communications plans to build your brand and accelerate your impact.

Services