HABITABLE
BUILDING PRODUCTS / MATERIAL HEALTH RESEARCH
Reinventing a research institution to attract new investment and expand influence.
Facing an existential funding challenge, Healthy Building Network needed to make its specialized research relevant to a changing philanthropic landscape.
I led its transformation into Habitable, repositioning the organization around pollution, climate change, and equity.
Working closely with scientific leadership, I developed a new brand and communications strategy connecting its building-materials expertise to broader environmental priorities, new funding opportunities, and international audiences.
ROLE Chief Brand and Communications Officer, 2023-25
LEADERSHIP SCOPE Executive brand leadership • Organizational repositioning • Scientific collaboration • Agency and contractor oversight
EXPLORE THE WORK
From niche research to broader institutional relevance.
$250K
Communications investment secured from Bloomberg Philanthropies’ Beyond Petrochemicals through a strategy I developed and pitched
4
New philanthropic funders secured following the rebrand
INC-5.2
Participation in the INC5.2 Global Plastics Treaty Negotiations in Geneva, Switzerland (2025)
“There was a before and after Nicolette. She made our communications so much more accessible. ”
Rebecca Stamm, Senior Researcher | Habitable
01 / BRAND TRANSFORMATION
Repositioning two decades of technical expertise for a shifting philanthropic landscape.
A new brand identity and narrative connected building-material health to pollution, climate, and equity.
Visual identity, brand, and web design: Bunk
02 / BUILDING PRODUCT RESEARCH
Making chemical hazard research actionable for building product specifiers.
Research communications for InformedTM helped architects, specifiers, and manufacturers navigate healthier material choices.
Graphic design: Studio Cala
03 / DIGITAL EXPERIENCE
Making complex scientific research easier to understand and explore.
A redesigned digital experience connected Habitable's research, programs, and organizational purpose.
04 / GLOBAL RESEARCH AND ADVOCACY
Connecting building material research to the global plastics conversation.
Communications supported Habitable's participation in the 2025 INC5.2 UN Global Plastics Treaty negotiations.
PROJECT CREDITS
Strategy and Creative Leadership — Nicolette Stosur-Bassett
Visual Identity & Web Design — Bunk
Graphic Design — Studio Cala
Digital Marketing — 7RPM
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