A Gay in the Life: Shannon Downey, Marketing whiz

Shannon Downey’s job description might be one of longest ever written. But her purpose is simple: to market sustainably. The self-employed, self-made marketing whiz can barely slow down. With six events to plan at a given time, a company to run, a pro bono commitment to a local nonprofit every year and an environmental conscience, Downey is drawing attention from all over the event industry.

She’s the owner of Pivotal Chicago, a green marketing firm in Chicago. She also runs TEDx Windy City and is a collaborator on this summer’s “Make Believe” Wicker Park and Bucktown Art Project.

Downey said she got out of mainstream event planning because it is environmentally unfriendly. “There was so much waste,” she said.

And just where does all that party waste go now? Ask Downey what she’s doing driving down her alley at night in a Blue VW Bug filling up recycling bins. For the record, she says, the neighbors gave her permission. The compost, sometimes from 100 guests, ends up in her backyard.

Check out Downey’s work at pivotalchicago.com.