The Project Management Institute (PMI), the world’s leading authority for project professionals, has joined forces with TIME Studios to produce The Solutionaries, a groundbreaking documentary series spotlighting three visionary innovators using project management to combat climate change.
The series features Cyrill Gutsch, Rebecca Hu-Thrams, and Dr. Lisa Dyson — pioneers transforming sustainability from concept to scalable reality. Each episode tells the story of how innovation, when powered by project management, can drive global impact. The first episode premiered on October 8 at time.com/PMI/thesolutionaries, with subsequent releases on October 28 and November 10.
“The Solutionaries demonstrate that the answers to our greatest challenges often come from individuals with the courage to build the world they imagine,” said Menaka Gopinath, Chief Marketing Officer at Project Management Institute (PMI). “To deliver real-world impact and address the urgent climate crisis, these innovations need to be unleashed — the world can’t afford to keep them in experimental labs. That’s where the power of project management to scale innovation makes all the difference, and The Solutionaries are doing just that.”
Episode 1: Parley for the Oceans – October 8
The first episode profiles Cyrill Gutsch, founder of Parley for the Oceans, a global movement uniting creatives, leaders, and scientists to protect marine ecosystems. Through Parley Future Material®, the organization champions sustainable materials and green chemistry to replace harmful industrial practices.
In 2024 alone, Parley removed 1.6 million kilograms of debris from marine environments, covering over 16 million square meters of coastal area. Its collaboration with Dior on an eco-innovative beachwear collection made from Parley Ocean Plastic® exemplifies the fusion of sustainability and style.
Gutsch’s work resonates deeply with Africa, where oceans underpin livelihoods and climate resilience. With over 30,000 kilometres of coastline, the continent’s blue economy remains vital to food security, biodiversity, and economic growth — making ocean health both an environmental and economic imperative.
Episode 2: Glacier – October 28
The second episode features Rebecca Hu-Thrams, co-founder of Glacier, a robotics firm reinventing recycling through artificial intelligence. Glacier’s robots — now processing waste for 1 in 10 Americans — identify and sort more than 50 categories of recyclables, recovering over 10 million items annually per unit and preventing 2,000 tons of CO₂ emissions.
Hu-Thrams’ vision is a fully circular economy powered by data, robotics, and accountability — redefining waste as a renewable resource.
Episode 3: Air Protein – November 10
The final episode spotlights Dr. Lisa Dyson, founder and CEO of Air Protein, whose AirFermentation™ process converts elements of the air — CO₂, oxygen, nitrogen, and water — into complete, nutrient-rich protein.
Backed by ADM and DARPA, Air Protein’s “Air Chain™” technology offers a sustainable solution to food insecurity by producing protein independent of traditional agriculture. Each batch is rich in vitamins, minerals, and all 20 amino acids, positioning Air Protein as a game-changer for global nutrition and resilience.
A New Era of Climate Storytelling
Directed by Academy Award nominee Edward Buckles Jr., The Solutionaries brings cinematic storytelling to the climate conversation, combining emotional depth with technological insight.
Menaka Gopinath, Chief Marketing Officer at Project Management Institute, underscored the institute’s mission to inspire project professionals to lead sustainability-driven change.
“More often than not, the barrier to implementing solutions tackling seemingly insurmountable challenges is just figuring out where to start, and having the tools and mindset to move from idea to action,” Gopinath said. “At PMI, we’re redefining how the world tackles environmental challenges — ensuring every project is designed with sustainability at its core. Our research shows that projects with sustainability baked in are nearly twice as likely to succeed.”
Since its founding in 1969, PMI has empowered project leaders worldwide through education, certification, and innovation — helping organizations achieve impact and shape a more sustainable world.
