Judy Holm launches NextGen Climate Creatives Award to open doors for emerging talent

With a background spanning from launching the Global Fine Art Awards to producing digital art exhibitions that premiered in Paris, Judy Holm has a multi-dimensional career in the arts, entrepreneurship and communications. But Judy looked at the climate crisis and saw something crucial missing: young artists and designers needed to claim their place in shaping a regenerative future.

That’s why Judy has launched the NextGen Climate Creatives Award, a youth-focused initiative under the Global Climate Design Awards that encourages creativity as a genuine force for climate action. The program will culminate in a showcase during Miami Climate Week 2026.

Judy talked to us about her morning rituals, why she believes in abundance over competition, and what drives her to create platforms that centre young voices in the most urgent conversation of our time.

My background has always sat at the intersection of art, design, sustainability, and systems thinking — long before those conversations were mainstream. 

I’ve spent much of my career working with mission-driven organisations, helping them translate big, often complex ideas into something tangible, human, and actionable.

The Global Climate Design Awards grew out of a deep belief informed by lived experience: artists and designers are uniquely positioned to shape the future — not just aesthetically, but ethically and systemically — with the potential to prevent up to 40% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Yet attention to climate innovation is often siloed and predominantly focused on tech and energy solutions, rather than prevention.

The NextGen Climate Creatives Award feels like a natural evolution of that work. It’s about opening doors earlier and creating pathways for young creatives who already care deeply about climate and justice but may not yet see where they fit. This award isn’t just about recognition — it’s about permission. Permission to lead, to experiment, and to imagine a regenerative future where creativity is valued as a force for real-world change.

Beyond any formal title, my role is really about stewardship. 

I’m holding space for ideas, people, and possibilities — and helping them move from intention to impact. Day-to-day, that can look like research, curation, partnership-building, storytelling, and a lot of quiet behind-the-scenes coordination that makes opportunities feel seamless to those on the outside.

My mornings are the most important part of the day.

I’m a morning person! Especially because my work often spans multiple time zones and moving parts.

I usually start the day before 5:00 a.m. with tea and toast, followed by a practice of self-care — “gym and swim” — to connect with my body before the noise of notifications and external demands begins.

That sense of movement and openness helps me feel oriented before I sit down to work. I don’t jump straight into emails. I like to check in with myself first: What actually needs my energy today?

Once I do begin work, I tend to start with creative or strategic thinking before administrative tasks. Writing, planning, or problem-solving early in the day helps anchor everything that follows. That rhythm — reflection first, execution second — keeps me aligned with why I’m doing the work, not just what needs to get done.

I think a lot about who feels welcomed, who feels excluded, and how we can lower barriers without lowering standards.

Running creative awards isn’t just about launching a call for entries or moderating a juried process. It’s about designing an ecosystem — one that’s fair, accessible, and genuinely supportive of emerging talent.

Zealous has become deeply integrated into that process. It’s not just a platform I use — it’s part of the infrastructure that allows the work to scale without losing its soul.

“When systems work well, they fade into the background, and that’s exactly what Zealous allows me to do: focus on people, ideas, and impact.”

There’s room for many voices, many approaches, and many visions of a better future.

One of my golden rules is simple: design opportunities with integrity. That means being transparent, thoughtful, and respectful of people’s time, creativity, and emotional investment.

I also believe deeply in abundance over competition. Creative opportunities should expand confidence and possibility — not reinforce scarcity or gatekeeping. That belief applies equally to artists and designers; both shape culture and values long before policies or technologies catch up.

Climate work can feel heavy, especially for young creatives.

I try to lead with care — care for people, care for process, care for impact. I’m very conscious of not extracting energy or ideas without giving something meaningful back. Recognition matters, but so does mentorship, visibility, and a sense of belonging. If those values aren’t present, the opportunity doesn’t feel worth running.

One of my guiding mantras comes from the inestimable Maya Angelou — poet, author, and civil rights activist: “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”

I believe the creative industry underestimates its own responsibility — and its own power. 

Too often, creativity is framed as a finishing touch rather than a shaping force. In reality, artists and designers influence how people think, behave, consume, and relate to the world around them.

Right now, that matters more than ever. We don’t just need better ideas — we need better systems, better narratives, and better defaults. Creativity sits at the heart of all of that.

What concerns me is how many emerging creatives feel pressure to separate their values from their work in order to succeed — something I felt earlier in my own career. I want to challenge that narrative. Climate-aware, values-led creative practice isn’t a niche — it’s a necessity. And the industry will be stronger, more resilient, and more relevant by embracing that truth.

I’ve learned that rest isn’t separate from creativity; it’s what sustains it.

Switching off is essential for me. I recharge by slowing down — spending time near water, walking, reading, and creating space without an agenda.

I’m also someone who draws energy from beautiful, calm environments — places that feel intentional and human-scaled. Intentional travel has been a big part of my life, and it’s helped me see how culture, design, and climate intersect in very real ways.

Ultimately, my off-time is about reconnecting — with myself, with nature, with friends, and with the quieter signals that get drowned out when you’re constantly producing.

When something clicks and an opportunity becomes more than the sum of its parts, that’s deeply rewarding.

My favorite moments are often quiet ones — when I see someone realize that their work matters, or that they belong in a space they once felt excluded from. That shift in confidence, that sense of “maybe I can do this,” is incredibly powerful.

I feel most alive when I’m connecting dots — between people, disciplines, generations, and ideas.

There’s also something incredibly energizing about witnessing the creativity of young artists and designers. Their clarity, urgency, and optimism remind me why this work matters — and why it’s worth continuing to build platforms that center their voices.

What I appreciate most is how Zealous supports clarity — for entrants, judges, and organisers alike. 

When systems are clear, people can focus on creativity rather than logistics. Which is why managing the Awards with Zealous over the past couple of years has been genuinely grounding. It’s given structure to what could otherwise feel overwhelming, and that reliability has allowed the work to grow without becoming unsustainable.

As we launch this new youth-focused initiative, I’m especially excited about widening the circle. This feels like an invitation — not just to submit work, but to step into a community that takes young artists and designers seriously.

The Opportunity Makers Series

This series isn’t just about celebrating the people who run creative opportunities (though they absolutely deserve celebration). It’s about understanding what drives them, what they’ve learned through the process, and how they’re quietly reshaping what’s possible for creatives.

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