Summer Rayne Oakes was researching toxins in sewage sludge, identifying aquatic insects, rocking n’ rolling in rainforests, and mapping invasive species when she was struck with the idea that the fashion industry might be a good venue to disseminate environmental awareness. Now a respected, youthful, energetic voice in the environmental movement, her unique career combines her activism and image with her environmental expertise. A Cornell University graduate, Udall environmental scholar, and environmental scientist, Summer Rayne has taken environmental advocacy to the next level by trailblazing a career in values-based modeling–or exclusively aligning her work with more environmentally- and socially-conscious designers, companies and programs.  

In April 2009, she’ll be launching a sustainable shoe line (Zoe & Zac) with Payless ShoeSource and in August 2009, a sustainable line of home linens and textiles with Portico Home & Spa. As a partner in SJR, a strategic communications and brand management firm, she often works in front of the camera as well as!behind the scenes as a sustainability  strategist. Clients include, Payless, Alcoa Foundation, Yale University, Recycle Bank, Conde Nast, Ogden Publications, Discovery Networks, Portico Home + Spas, and others.

Summer Rayne is an on-air correspondent!and advisor for Discovery’s new eco-lifesytle network, Planet Green and has made appearances on Fox Business, CNN, Business Week TV, MTV Real World, HGTV and others. Vanity Fair has named her a “Global Citizen,” Cosmo called her a “Fun, Fearless Female,” Outside listed her as one of the “Top Environmental Activists,” and CNN has named her a “Young Person Who Rocks.” Oakes works closely with the youth climate change movement through Energy Action and assisted in producing PowerShift, the largest lobby day on climate change; helps manage community sustainable development and forest conservation programs in Africa; and spends countless hours a week on various pro-active social- and environmental-programs. She is represented by SJR Brand Management and NEXT Models exclusively for environmentally-relevant projects.