The brightness of our future lies for a large part in the hands of people in business. Our own health and wellbeing, our children's future, and prosperity of our planet are on the line. With many other business priorities to consider, it makes sense to invest time and resources into making a difference wisely, for the best possible outcomes.
So, why do some achieve a far better impact return on investment compared to most? And create better commercial outcomes at the same time? What is it that they do differently? As it turns out, my research shows that those with the best outcomes have the same patterns in common.
With our Masters, Talks and Workshops, we share key insights that underpin global best practices in tackling climate change, the mountains of plastic entering our oceans each year, poverty and rising inequality. Our tools guide clients to create a strong impact return for a genuinely better future and boost business growth.
What sets us apart
Most sustainability frameworks and training focus on compliance. While this serves an important purpose, it tends to draw people into details, losing sight of how to fix our global issues most effectively. Nor does it tend to create excitement, energy, or lead to competitive advantages.
We inspire organizations to step out of “regulation land” and focus on what matters most —creating initiatives that tackle the root cause of the issues effectively, and that attract top talent, foster deeper customer loyalty, and secure a competitive edge.
Our thought-leading tools and insights, based on award-winning research, enable you to take a step back and reflect together how to impact key global issues with a 200-400% better return than most.
Our team
Melanie van de Velde PhD, MBA, MSc
Dr Van de Velde was awarded the Adam Smith Prize for PhD Excellence. Nominated for the prize by the Research Director at the Centre for Social Innovation at Cambridge University, her thesis was the source of many insights in her book LEAD LIKE A GENIUS. The book was commended as "A Powerhouse for Sustainable Growth" by FORBES.
Her other academic achievements include an MBA with Distinction from the University of Glasgow in the UK, and an MSc in Industrial Engineering at the University of Twente in The Netherlands.
Melanie has managed Asia Pacific markets at a multi-billion-dollar tech company. She’s worked in senior management at IT start-ups. And she’s run a fashion business to empower young women without an education in a Nairobi slum.
Daniela Jimenez Chavez, MSc
Daniela has 8 years experience in sustainability applied in different sectors around the globe including non-for-profit and conservation organizations in Peru and the United States, the public sector in New Zealand, and both small and large businesses in the private sector, currently living in Barcelona.
She has designed and coordinated sustainability strategies for the corporate sector, as well as sustainability reporting, project and certification management, linking her work with communication strategy, behaviour change and innovation.
Daniela holds a Bachelor in Science in Biology and a Masters in Political Ecology, Degrowth and Environmental Justice. After participating in the Sustainability Business Strategy Masters provided by Melanie, Daniela joined Big Tree Global as a part time program manager.
Evelyn Shui, MBA
After starting out as a financial analyst in a Hong-Kong listed company, Evelyn travelled over 300,000 kilometres launching and overseeing innovative e-commerce projects across China to empower remote agricultural communities out of poverty.
She has seven years of experience in product development, customer management, market expansion, sales oversight. Through her efforts, she has successfully grown customer bases from zero to over 1,000, established long-term partnerships with institutional clients, and assisted nearly 8,000 individuals in finding re-employment opportunities. These endeavours have earned high praise and recognition from the communities.
During her recent Executive MBA Course she took the Impact Business Strategy Course provided by Melanie, Founder of Big Tree Global. Her enthusiasm for the course led to her joining the team as a passionate Program Manager aiming to create more positive impact across the world.
Arushi Bhaik, MSc
Arushi Bhaik is an emerging professional in sustainability consulting, with a strong foundation in environmental and economic studies. Currently based in Glasgow, UK, she has applied her expertise across both corporate and non-profit sectors in the UK and India, developing sustainable practices and data-driven insights driving impactful change.
Arushi holds a Master’s in Environment and Sustainable Development from the University of Glasgow and a Master’s in Economics from Symbiosis International University, Pune, India. Her recent participation in the 'Climate Action Leadership Programme' with the 2050 Climate Group has further enhanced her capabilities in climate action. She also volunteers with Changeworks to support vulnerable communities to access sustainable energy solutions and tackle energy poverty.
Arushi brings her academic background and hands-on experience in environmental and social impact to her role at Big Tree Global, blending her technical expertise with a deep passion for sustainable development and community empowerment.
Jawdat Lubadeh, BSc
Jawdat is a Business Development Representative from Palestine with a background in Civil Engineering and a passion for sustainability and innovation. During his studies, he actively participated in extracurricular activities, taking on leadership roles and organizing initiatives that fostered collaboration and impact.
His entrepreneurial journey includes winning the Lisbon Regional Summit of the Hult Prize competition and advancing to the Global Accelerator in Boston, where he gained experience developing innovative solutions to global challenges. He further enhanced his expertise in sustainable construction at the Green Building Solutions Summer University in Vienna.
Jawdat completed the TAP Business Development Program, where he developed expertise in Ideal Customer Profile (ICP) analysis, cold outreach strategies, lead generation, and relationship management. At Big Tree Global, he applies his engineering knowledge, entrepreneurial mindset, and business development skills to create meaningful opportunities and drive sustainable business growth.
Check out our Global Goals Masters, or Talks and Workshops.
