Biologist. Expert in tropical ecology, biodiversity and agriculture. Entrepreneur and managing director. Worked worldwide in nature conservation and restoration. Former director IUCN Netherlands and initiator of nature initiatives.

I like business - building strategies - and I love nature. Working at Commonland enables me to combine these interests. Based on a business-model approach, we contribute to changing the world, and we can concretely see the impact we create. Deeply inspiring… it’s what drives me daily in my work.

I have always been attracted by the interconnectedness of things. At Commonland we try to see and make connections between different worlds, where we can openly and respectfully engage with indigenous leaders, or with farmers, in the same way we would engage with an investor, or the government. Commonland allows me to work in line with my values.

After working for a long time in a commercial business industry, I wanted to work for an organisation that contributes to the improvement of our living environment. Surrounded with passionate colleagues I’m learning a lot.

To develop a sustainable world, we need to bring people together to listen, learn, grow and act in a safe and innovative space. Only then can we restore landscapes and create thriving communities.

Interim People Manager (Maternity Cover)

We recognise that there are many inspiring people, initiatives and stories doing the work of our time “restoring nature”, whilst we are still missing the large-scale stories. Therefore, we bring people, initiatives and organisations together to create a safe space for them to write their own collective stories of transformation and regenerative impact.

I am convinced that restoring landscapes benefits people, biodiversity, and the climate. My work at Commonland involves creating a methodology for estimating peat soil carbon emissions in the Netherlands and developing carbon projects for landscape restoration. To successfully restore landscapes, we must improve soil carbon storage, which we link to existing voluntary carbon markets.

Growing up, I was already aware of my environment, what I consumed, and its impact on nature. But unfortunately, hospitality and sustainability are not always aligned, so this is where I felt the need to act and create bridges between our western consumption mindset and taking care of our planet.

I believe that ecosystems and communities can only thrive together – hand in hand. I’m passionate and excited about sparking that change: getting others involved in this collective movement and making them aware of the beautiful world we live in!

I like the combination of working with local communities, restoring landscapes and building resilient livelihoods. It brings together every aspect I have worked on in my career. It is rewarding and unique.

The work and vision of Commonland, and the passion of the people who work for the organisation appeal to me most. And combining finance with a subject that is close to my heart, that’s what drives me.

 I want to contribute to an inclusive regenerative and restorative movement. Where we, humans, will become partners of nature. My work at Commonland allows me to make this contribution.

Commonland’s focus on making a positive impact to our earth, instead of just reducing our negative impacts immediately appealed to me. And the fact that its holistic approach allows for its impact to be long-lasting and large-scale. I really enjoy working with my colleagues and our landscape partners.

My two passions are soil regeneration and participatory processes. Since holistic regeneration of our soils requires collaboration of the whole system I can bring both passions together at Commonland. As we all strive together to reach the (bold) 2040 goal we step into a big responsibility, with the freedom and flexibility to design how to get there.

Coordination
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What excites me is that the 4 Returns framework provides a common language for farmers, entrepreneurs, communities, investors, funders and governments. Being able to connect these groups and forming partnerships with others will be crucial in achieving our mission.

The way Commonland works with and trusts its partners is quite unconventional, in my experience. Our approach is unique: it takes dedication for an organisation to work holistically. Also, the sense of trust allows people to be creative and to give more energy to work.

I love working at Commonland because of our green mission and our contribution to make the world a greener place. Also, Commonland is an open-minded organisation with passionate and inspiring people: my colleagues.

Transformative Innovation, Whole Systems Design, Consultancy, Education, Futures, author of ‘Designing Regenerative Cultures’.

International environmental policy
Advisor to the Environmental Information Center of the Ministry of Environment and Green Development, Mongolia.

Landscape ecology
Occupied several high positions at the Central Spanish Government and former director of several National Parks.

Architecture, international policy
Former Minister of the Environment, Housing, and Urban Planning in Benin. Former Executive Secretary of the UNCCD.

Partner Corporate/M&A at Jones Day in Amsterdam. Former member and Managing Partner and Chairman of the Board of Baker & McKenzie Amsterdam.

Ecology, policy, stakeholder management
Worked in ecology and conservation for 25 years. CEO of Wetlands International since 2004.

Business and eco-agro-technology
CEO of the Priva Group, a world leader in sustainable technologies for the indoor environment.

Business

Was senior partner of McKinsey & Company until 2011. For almost 30 years he served leading financial institutions in Europe and Asia.

Governance, environmental policy
Former Minister of Environment & Natural Resources, El Salvador. Launched National Landscape and Ecosystem Restoration Program.

Restoration, business

Founding Partner & Chairman at BT Global Partners, former director of TEMA Foundation.

CEO and Founder of Gist Impact; Economics of Ecosystems
President and Board Chair of WWF-International. Lead writer on UN reports: ‘The Economics of Ecosystems & Biodiversity’ & ‘Towards a Green Economy’.

Banking, sustainability
Dutch economist and former CEO of Rabobank & widely recognized authority on sustainability, business and governance.

Restoration ecology
Professor in Land Use and Biodiversity at the Utrecht University, Copernicus Institute.

Landscape management, business
Agricultural & natural resource economist. Founder, President and CEO of EcoAgriculture Partners.

Social and Political Sciences of the Environment
CEO, Environmental Protection and Encouragement Agency. Academic Cradle to Cradle Chair for Innovation and Quality, RSM.

Sustainability and leadership
Member of the Wates Group Board and chair of its Sustainability Committee. Holds a Masters in Sustainability Leadership.

Environment, society & regenerative agriculture

Visiting Fellow at The Fenner School of Environment and Society, Australian National University.

Business and Sustainable Food Systems
Associate partner at NewForesight and theme Director Sustainable Food Systems at TiFN.