Where Sustainability Meets Strategy

Sun PR is a team of communicators who understand energy, climate and technology issues from the inside out. We’re former journalists, media strategists, policy communicators and digital storytellers with deep experience across sectors that are driving real change. Headquartered in Austin, Texas, we’re a tight-knit team with sharp instincts, strong partnerships and a shared drive to make meaningful work impossible to ignore.

PR with a Purpose

What sets us apart is more than how we shape a message. It’s our ability to grasp the science, systems, environment and business priorities behind it. We ask the right questions, translate complex work into relevance and get your story in front of the people who matter.

Meet The Team Behind Sun PR

Delivering you strategy, substance, and storytelling.
Carol Hanko

Carol Hanko

Founder
Michelle Collins

Michelle Collins

Sr. PR Manager
Lexie Michel

Lexie Michel

PR Manager
Colin Rowan

Colin Rowan

Strategic Advisor & Senior Writer
Morgan Robinson

Morgan Robinson

Content Consultant
Andy Uhler

Andy Uhler

Media Consultant
Cierra George

Cierra George

Sr. PR Specialist
Vanessa Blankenship

Vanessa Blankenship

Sr. PR Specialist
Natalie Reyes

Natalie Reyes

PR Specialist
Jessica Garcia

Jessica Garcia

PR Specialist
David Ayer

David Ayer

Head of Finance
Kodi Cage

Kodi Cage

People Advisor

Carol Hanko

Founder

Carol has more than 25 years of communications experience in strategic communications, with a deep focus on future energy, climate and environmental innovation. She founded Sun PR in 2020 to build a communications agency rooted in subject-matter expertise, editorial clarity and results that align with business and policy goals. Carol began working in clean energy in the early 2000s while leading as the Austin Chamber’s Clean Energy co-chair. Since then, she has supported startups, multinationals and mission-driven organizations shaping the future of energy and technology. Her early career in journalism sharpened her ability to translate complexity into clarity, a skill she brings to every client engagement. Her diverse background combined with her instinct to translate complex concepts into business and real-world value has continuously helped Carol elevate her work and clients’ stories.

Michelle Collins

Sr. PR Manager

Driven by a desire to create a better future for all, Michelle brings more than a decade of expertise in journalism, public relations, and stakeholder engagement to Sun PR. Since joining Sun PR in 2021, Michelle has helped innovative organizations shape clear, compelling messages around complex ideas. Her background as a journalist, including roles at NPR, sharpened her ability to distill technical concepts into engaging narratives that resonate widely. Michelle’s previous experience leading public outreach for large-scale infrastructure projects strengthened her ability to navigate high-stakes communications and build trust across diverse audiences. She leverages these skills at Sun PR to position climate-focused innovations and sustainability initiatives in ways that inspire action and drive meaningful outcomes.

Lexie Michel

PR Manager

Lexie leads media and communication strategies that get clients noticed. With a knack for media relevance, she excels in building relationships with top-tier energy and climate reporters to land earned coverage that enhances client visibility and credibility. Lexie’s deep expertise in social media powers engaging campaigns that reach and resonate with the right audiences. Before joining Sun PR in 2020, Lexie built a strong foundation in media and communications through a variety of roles. She wrote stories and developed content strategies for NBC’s news and digital teams in San Diego, created marketing campaigns for small businesses, and gained valuable experience at iHeartMedia, where she managed promotional events and drove significant social media engagement.

Colin Rowan

Strategic Advisor & Senior Writer

Colin has managed strategic communication campaigns for political, corporate and nonprofit clients for more than 25 years. His greatest strengths are designing strategic communication campaigns, crafting messages and preparing organizations and their experts for communication opportunities. In 2006 Colin was selected by The Climate Project to train 1,000 citizen activists to present Al Gore’s “An Inconvenient Truth” global warming slideshow in their communities. Since 2008, he has managed communication for Pecan Street Inc., a groundbreaking energy research organization in Austin. Additional client experience includes the Cynthia & George Mitchell Foundation, Hill Country Conservancy, United Way, Environmental Defense Fund, the League of Conservation Voters, The World Resources Institute, the American Association of Public Health Laboratories and the American Dental Association.

Morgan Robinson

Content Consultant

As a writer at heart, Morgan joined Sun PR in 2020 and now supports the agency as a writing consultant. Over the past few years, Morgan has evolved her expertise on writing voice and is dedicated to producing and amplifying content that empowers companies and communities to effectively share their stories through any medium. Curious by nature, Morgan appreciates the challenge of turning complex information into engaging and educational resources across various industries. Her experience includes supporting Allstate Insurance with communications services and working as the managing editor for a luxury fashion website. Morgan studied English Language and Literature at the University of Chicago and completed coursework in London and Barcelona. She is also a certified yoga instructor.

Andy Uhler

Media Consultant

Andy has spent most of his adult life on public radio, first reporting for KUT, Austin’s NPR affiliate as an undergraduate student at UT Austin in 2003, then as the senior producer of Texas Music Matters, and eventually as a sustainability correspondent at American Public Media’s Marketplace. In 2023, Andy came back to the University of Texas to take a role as a journalism fellow at UT’s Energy Institute. There, he produces a podcast about the energy transition and expansion throughout the Lone Star State called Phases And Stages.

Andy has a Master’s degree in global policy studies from the LBJ School of Public Affairs and worked in the Texas state legislature during the 83rd legislative session, writing water allocation legislation in the office of Representative Lyle Larson. Andy continues to report for the radio, freelancing for KUT, NPR, BBC, and others.

Cierra George

Sr. PR Specialist

A skilled science communicator, Cierra’s passion for science communication is reflected in her ability to convey complex scientific concepts in an engaging and accessible manner. She also excels in managing multifaceted social media campaigns and developing comprehensive strategic communication plans. Prior to joining Sun PR, Cierra was a science communication specialist at several different organizations, including Switch Energy Alliance and AECOM. She also worked as a communications fellow at the Texas Water Institute while completing her Master of Science degree at Texas A&M University. Cierra studied environmental geoscience and climate change at Texas A&M University, where she also received an advanced degree in science & technology journalism.

Vanessa Blankenship

Sr. PR Specialist

An experienced journalist and social media strategist, Vanessa is deeply passionate about results-oriented communication strategies and powerful storytelling. Vanessa joined Sun PR in 2024 and has published articles and long-form features covering arts and culture, fashion, breaking news, and social justice, distributed across print and digital publications, including Columbia News Service, Tribeza, WUFT News (NPR-PBS), The Alligator, and Sarasota Magazine. Vanessa received her master’s degree in journalism from Columbia University. Prior to Sun PR, Vanessa was an editorial assistant for Tribeza, Austin’s leading arts and culture magazine. She also worked as a communications strategist for Arrive Logistics, a multimodal transportation and technology company, where she supported the strategy and execution of internal and external communications. From identifying and developing compelling stories to tackling the ever-changing media landscape, Vanessa is proud to collaborate with leading organizations at the forefront of climate action and tech innovation.

Natalie Reyes

PR Specialist

Natalie is based in San Diego and joined Sun PR in 2023 with a background in journalism and marketing. Natalie holds a Bachelor of Arts in Literary Journalism from the University of California, Irvine and brings experience from various marketing roles, including her position as a marketing coordinator at Urban Plates, a California-based restaurant chain, and managing social profiles for the UC Irvine newspaper. Outside of work, Natalie is an avid surfer who jumps on her surfboard nearly every day on Southern California beaches. She also enjoys taking and teaching yoga classes, running by the beach and going on hikes.

Jessica Garcia

PR Specialist

Jessica brings a strong background in journalism and a keen curiosity to Sun PR. She graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a degree in journalism in 2024, where she honed her storytelling skills as a reporter and newsletter editor for The Daily Texan and as an intern at Texas Monthly. Jessica has experience working as a digital communications intern at Raise Your Hand Texas, a nonprofit organization focusing on public education policy and advocacy, where she wrote blog posts and provided social media support. She also brings experience as a social media coordinator for a center within UT’s Moody College of Communication and a communications intern at the UT System.

David Ayer

Head of Finance

David is a finance executive with more than 25 years of financial and operational experience, driving improved business performance in fast-paced professional service company environments. He has been a strategic financial advisor to visionary CEOs in a variety of strategic communications, marketing and creative agencies throughout his career, working with companies ranging from small start-ups to global entities. David lives and works in Boston, MA and has been engaged with Sun PR since its inception, providing leadership and counsel related to the firm’s finances, HR and general operations of the business.

Kodi Cage

People Advisor

An HR coordinator by day and a mom to three by night, Kodi juggles spreadsheets and soccer schedules. When she’s not navigating employee benefits, you can find her cheering from the sidelines, driving to practice, or whipping up a family meal. Kodi graduated from University of Texas McCombs School of Business. She started her career recruiting for Trilogy Software, then spent 20 years at Journyx Software working in many different capacities, including sales, training, and project management. Kodi also worked as an Outward Bound Instructor in the Montana and California National Forests. Kodi is passionate about leaving this world a better place. The Sun PR team allows her to work closely with individuals and companies seeking innovative ways to manage energy and develop renewable technologies.

Open Positions

Curious about job opportunities? Contact info@sunpr.com.

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Sun PR was an invaluable partner in making the MethaneSAT launch a real global moment. They understood the urgency and significance of our mission and helped us successfully communicate its magnitude far and wide.

Jon Coifman
MethaneSAT

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Sun PR has been a true partner in helping us turn our LinkedIn presence into a powerful platform for industry leadership. Their strategic approach and deep understanding of the energy space and social media landscape have elevated our voice, expanded our reach, and helped us strengthen engagement with our audience. The results speak for themselves.

Kristin Cone
Executive Director, Communications GTI Energy

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Sun PR jumped in fast as a pivotal communications partner for Paces, helping us elevate our brand and establish credibility in a complex, rapidly evolving energy landscape.The team’s proactive thinking and industry relationships have helped us reach new audiences and sharpen our voice at a critical growth moment.

Jenn Hoffman
Head of Marketing, Paces

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Partnering with Sun PR transformed our presence on LinkedIn. The team helped us tell our story in a way that resonated with the energy industry and opened the door to important new connections. They’ve been a trusted partner in building our brand and voice in the low-carbon energy space.

Scott Reeves
Vice President, Corporate Development, Projeo

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Breaking through the noise at CERAWeek is no small feat — but Sun PR made it happen with their reliable execution and media expertise. Their work helped us stand out and further solidify EDF as a trusted environmental voice engaged on complex decarbonization issues facing the energy industry.

Lauren Whittenberg
Vice President, Global Communications , Environmental Defense Fund

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Sun PR is a trusted communications partner that understands the semiconductor industry and how to make our wireless technology accessible to a variety of audiences. The team consistently delivers results that matter, helping Silicon Labs to expand its market leadership by telling compelling stories that truly showcase our company’s deep roots in technological innovation and how our solutions improve lives.

Jacey Zuniga
Head of Communications, Silicon Labs

ATI Trusted Partner