Founder Notes
Finding Wonder in Every Innovation
At Climate of Wonder, we are passionate about accelerating the transition to a sustainable future. We are dedicated to spotlighting the world’s most promising innovations in renewable energy and climate solutions. We believe in the power of technology and bold ideas to inspire a future filled with possibility, wonder, and regeneration.
Our Story
Our founder Corkey Hay is an author, illustrator, entrepreneur, and creative force behind mission-driven educational projects that inspire wonder, ignite learning, and connect people to the natural world.
For the past 30 years, her work has spanned everything from literacy and conservation to children’s publishing and ethical design. Corkey is the founder of Gentle Giraffe Press, where she wrote and illustrated original children's books and developed educational campaigns for national nonprofits and institutions—including Panda Promise for the Smithsonian's National Zoo, Cherry Blossom Friends for the National Park Service, and Wasatch Friends, an animal and water conservation book for Sundance.
She led the children’s educational content for the Clinton Bush Haiti Fund and is especially proud of her five years of contributions to the World Wildlife Fund’s Earth Hour, helping children connect with climate action through stories, creativity, and outreach.
Corkey also founded Corkey’s Kids, a children’s clothing company inspired by her love of printmaking and her travels through Southeast Asia. Working directly with Balinese artisans, she designed custom batik fabrics using traditional techniques. She proudly followed a cottage industry model, employing local sewers who worked in their own villages rather than factories—celebrating craftsmanship, community, and ethical production.
As the former Chief Operating Officer and Chief Marketing Officer of Really Great Reading, Corkey helped scale research-based literacy tools that have supported tens of thousands of teachers and millions of students across the U.S. and internationally. Her leadership emphasized teacher and student-centered design, equity in education, and scientifically based foundational learning.
Now, through Climate of Wonder, she is on a mission to flip the script on climate anxiety—spotlighting the boldest, brightest breakthroughs in clean energy and nature-based innovation.
She believes it is vital to nurture creativity and critical thinking. Through Climate of Wonder, Corkey is building a platform where hope becomes a renewable resource—and where discovery empowers the next generation to harness their imagination, creativity, and critical thinking to support and shape the future of clean energy and climate innovation.