Optimist Consulting
TOPIC 01
Circular Design, Circularity & Sustainability
Designing products and systems for reuse, longevity, and minimal waste — and making the business case for keeping materials in the loop.
Read the full topic →Public speaking, technical advisory services, and knowledge-sharing — at the crossroads of materials science and innovation.
Optimist Consulting was founded by John Skabardonis — chemist, marketer, speaker, and self-described scientific storyteller.
John brings over 35 years of industry experience to every engagement, having worked across R&D, Marketing, Marketing Communications, and Technical Marketing at GE Plastics, Bayer, and Covestro — three of the most influential names in advanced materials. Most recently, he led Technical Marketing to the Electronics & Electrical industry across the Americas at Covestro, before retiring in August 2025 to focus on public speaking, technical advisory services, and knowledge-sharing.
His areas of deep expertise — engineered plastics, smart surfaces, and circular design — sit at the crossroads of materials science and the technologies shaping our future. John is fascinated by how rapidly technology evolves, and equally committed to ensuring that evolution happens responsibly, with circularity and resource efficiency at its core.
Technical knowledge only creates value when it’s communicated well.
That conviction drives both his speaking work and his training programs for scientists and engineers who have important things to say — and deserve to be heard.
Keynotes, presentations, and workshops that turn technical complexity into clarity, curiosity, and action.
Designing products and systems for reuse, longevity, and minimal waste — and making the business case for keeping materials in the loop.
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Materials and surfaces with embedded functions — sensing, responding, and interacting — and what they mean for the products of tomorrow.
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A nuanced, expert take on the future of high-performance plastics — where the pressure points are, and where the real opportunities lie.
Read the full topic →Listed in order of focus — from the stage, to the boardroom, to the next generation of technical communicators.
Keynotes, presentations, and workshops on circular design, smart surfaces, and engineered plastics — tailored to your audience and event.
Expert technical advice for clients seeking guidance in materials, smart surfaces, engineered plastics, and circularity strategy.
Coaching and workshops that help scientists and technical experts become confident, compelling public speakers and storytellers.
Scientists and technical experts often have the most important things to say — but struggle to say them in ways that connect. This program helps researchers, engineers, and specialists develop the storytelling skills and public speaking confidence to share their expertise with clarity and impact.
Speaking inquiries, advisory requests, and training bookings all begin here. Tell me a little about what you have in mind.
✉ john@optimistconsulting.biz