Our Story

In 2018, with decades of experience at the forefront of communications strategies in the renewable energy industry, the Innovant Public Relations team decided to branch out. Innovant Public Relations, a communications strategy firm, was launched with the goal of supporting companies, both in the clean energy sector and elsewhere, that are seeking community outreach counsel and support, media relations, event management, and branding. We understand the importance of listening to our clients, using a narrative that resonates with target audiences, working on tight deadlines, and building and maintaining lasting relationships.

Get To Know Us

Sarah Bray

President

Sarah has a track record of developing strong brands and communications strategies aimed at increasing public awareness. Sarah has secured feature stories in The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, The Economist, The Atlantic, the Chicago Tribune, the Houston Chronicle, Texas Monthly, on NPR nationally and regionally, and in countless regional, local and trade publications.

Sarah brings nearly 20 years of public relations and outreach experience and directed corporate communications at two leading renewable energy companies. Prior to entering the energy space, Sarah worked for PR agencies representing an array of clients in the hospitality, nonprofit, and retail sectors in Houston. Sarah is actively involved in the Houston Arts Community and served on the Board of Directors of Art League Houston for six years, including as President of the Board from 2015 – 2016.

Erin Szalkowski

Principal

Erin graduated from the University of Texas School of Law in 2007. As former Senior Counsel and Head of Land at Clean Line Energy, Erin has over eight years of project management and public outreach experience. She is well versed in renewable energy strategy for state and local permitting processes, as well as public engagement. Erin served as Clean Line’s legal and/or land representative in community roundtable meetings, public open houses, public hearings, and direct landowner negotiations in nine states. Erin saw firsthand and has a great appreciation for how strong brand identity and project support can bolster broad public perception, enhance a desired narrative with target audiences, and ultimately help to secure necessary regulatory permits for clean energy projects.

McCall Johnson

Vice President, Regulatory Affairs and Government Relations

With nearly 15 years of combined experience in the renewable energy, government affairs and public policy sectors, McCall Johnson provides strategic direction and counsel to help maximize value in regions across the country where Innovant PR’s clean energy clients are active. Prior to joining Innovant PR, McCall served as Director of External Affairs at Recurrent Energy where she was responsible for all aspects of Recurrent’s public affairs initiatives and legislative and regulatory efforts at the federal, regional, state and local levels. McCall closely collaborated with and directed lobbyists and consultants across the United States while also managing independent advisers consulting on specific market regulations.

Prior to joining Recurrent Energy, McCall was an advisor to Chairman Donna Nelson at the Public Utility Commission of Texas, where she handled legislative relations, speechwriting and matters pertaining to the Electric Reliability Council of Texas. McCall has also represented non-profit organizations in Texas and their constituencies at the state legislature, the public utility commission and the state energy conservation office.

McCall’s political savvy and leadership boosted the growth of the solar market in Texas and in several other states. She is an early pioneer in laying the foundation for solar with key policy makers at both the state and federal levels, and as such her work has positioned her as a leader in bringing the broad benefits of clean energy to communities across the United States.

McCall was President of the Texas Solar Power Association for five years and has served on or led the boards of organizations such as the Solar Energy Industry Association, and the Gulf Coast Power Association’s emPOWERing Women’s Committee. McCall earned a Master of Public Administration with a concentration in Energy Policy at the American University of Paris and holds a Bachelor of Business Administration with a focus on Finance from the University of Texas.

Designer & Web Developer

Louis graduated from the University of Houston’s Kathrine G. McGovern College of the Arts Graphic Design program. Louis has worked in-house as a graphic designer for Clean Line Energy and also worked for ttweak, a top-tier branding agency in Houston. Louis has a deep understanding of design elements and communications standards necessary to create inviting, simple, and clear narratives. Louis brings a modern and clean aesthetic to his design products and works to ensure that messaging is presented effectively. Louis is a true creative and outside of work enjoys writing music and playing the drums and piano.

Catherine Cral

Coordinator

As coordinator at Innovant Public Relations, Catherine spends her time supporting many various day-to-day efforts, including drafting and distributing press releases, assisting with media buys, organizing events, researching and building media lists, and coordinating community outreach endeavors. Currently completing her undergraduate thesis at Georgetown University, Catherine has served as an information desk specialist at the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery & American Art Museum, host of a WGTB Georgetown University Radio Broadcasting program and as a professional intern for leading energy provider, Exelon Corporation. With a thirst for knowledge and an eagerness to learn, Catherine continues her public relations journey and stands ready to work hard to get the job done well and on time.

What We Do

Public Relations

Community Involvement

Government Affairs

Branding & Design

Web Development

Event Production

Digital Media

Public relations is at the heart of what we do and is central to our approach to integrated marketing communications. We believe public relations is the guardian of the brand and that it is critical to communicate often with purpose and clarity. We are pleased to have long-standing relationships with journalists across the country and to be able to engage top-tier publications and influential trade outlets to help our clients tell their stories to key audiences, big or small.

Innovant Public Relations’ roots are in community outreach. We understand from firsthand experience that it is absolutely essential to be an active part of the communities in which we and our clients work. We seek to establish meaningful relationships that translate into long-term partnerships with local communities, and we strive to build trust, credibility and support by working in close coordination with local organizations, schools, and community members.

Innovant Public Relations offers state-level legislative and regulatory support to help companies manage risk and capitalize on opportunities. Policy is a primary driver for clean energy and companies have the ability to shape the future, but they need the tools necessary to anticipate a constantly changing policy landscape. Innovant supports companies without in-house government relations and companies who are seeking to augment an existing team with additional targeted services.

We believe that the brand + the people form the foundation of a company. We establish progressive and modern identities and brands that resonate with targeted audiences and help our clients and their projects gain recognition and be remembered. We create designs that are minimal, clean, purposeful, and that stand the test of time. We believe that every logo, color, font and visual element should tell a story, serve a purpose, and be cohesive to truly embody and represent the spirit of the organization.

We design websites that are informative, eye catching, and user friendly – always keeping the brand at the forefront and the information accessible.

We are a strategic, creative, one-stop shop for comprehensive event planning needs. We offer advance planning services, entertainment, catering and décor coordination and management, and onsite logistics support to clients who are looking to host a memorable corporate or personal event of any size. We are pleased to orchestrate the preparation, management, and promotion of events, seeing them through from start to finish.

We utilize digital media to share information, garner exposure, and increase engagement, emphasizing the need to communicate effectively and with purpose across all digital platforms in a timely fashion. With access to the best analytics tools on the market, we use real-time data to inform insight and strategy and to guide future messaging. We share analytics and results with clients to illustrate ROI and inform them of online performance and engagement.