Big Tree Global | Talks & Workshops

Inspire. Challenge. Empower.

Inspire your audience with our award-winning, Cambridge University-endorsed insights and FORBES-praised tools, to create powerful impact, and a strong, authentic, competitive edge.

"A Powerhouse for Sustainable Growth."

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"Dr van de Velde's research is outstanding and a worthy winner of the Adam Smith Prize for PhD Excellence"

Research Director

Centre for Social Innovation

Cambridge University

Melanie van de Velde, PhD, MBA, MSc

How to invest most powerfully in a better future?

Why do some create a 200 to 400% better impact return than others?

And create far more significant business value?

Dr. Melanie van de Velde is a unique voice in the global sustainability movement. Her keynote talks and workshops deliver a compelling blend of big-picture thinking, thought-leading insights, real-world examples, and practical tools that empower leaders to drive meaningful impact — not just in climate action, but across the full spectrum of global challenges.

Melanie's insights have been a pivotal moment for people ranging from CEOs, MBA executives, and professionals across industries. She combines cutting-edge research with deep practical experience, leaving audiences inspired and equipped with a clear direction for bold action.

A Global Goals expert and founder of Big Tree Global, Melanie is recognized for her award-winning research on overcoming global challenges — honoured with the Adam Smith Prize for PhD Excellence, nominated by the Social Innovation Director at Cambridge University. Her book, Lead Like a Genius: How to Outgrow the Competition and Transform Our World, was described by Forbes Books as “a powerhouse for sustainable growth.”

Melanie started her career leading Asia Pacific markets for a global tech giant. After subsequent senior management roles in technology companies, she switched paths to run a fashion enterprise empowering young women in the Kibera slum in Nairobi — an experience that fuelled her passion to research, develop and help scale practical, powerful solutions to our key global issues. She holds a PhD in sustainability strategy, an MBA with Distinction, and an MSc in Industrial Engineering.

She is founder of the Global Goals Masters — a high-impact learning experience designed to empower organisations to harness employee energy and unlock stronger impact and business value.

Keynotes

In her keynotes, Melanie answers questions that many are only beginning to consider:

Why do some sustainability initiatives deliver 200–400% stronger impact returns than others?
How can we tackle climate change and interconnected global issues like plastics, pollution, health, poverty, and social division most powerfully?
What five key factors turn sustainability efforts into more significant business value and a stronger, authentic, competitive edge?

Her talks showcase best-in-class global examples and challenge conventional thinking, helping leaders invest their limited time and resources for maximum positive return — both for people and planet, as well as for long-term business performance.

Workshops

Go Beyond Keynotes: Ignite Conversations that Drive Impact

Workshops can offer a much-loved complement to talks and panels—creating space to connect, share, and learn. Yet they rarely lead to participants gaining valuable new insights. All too often, they leave people wondering whether the outcomes truly make a difference.

In addition to her keynote talks, Melanie offers powerful workshops sparking meaningful conversations — underpinned by her Forbes-praised tools and Cambridge-endorsed insights. Her engaging, action-led formats help participants leave your event feeling inspired, proud, and ready to act — with a renewed sense of purpose and clear next steps.

Ignite Conversations that Drive Impact

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Get in touch

If you're looking to energise your event with a speaker who combines credibility, vision, and practical action — and who leaves audiences talking long after the event — we'd love to hear from you.

Testimonials

I had the pleasure of listening to Melanie opening our first international ESG city conference, held in Brazil.

Without a doubt, this was the highlight of the event.

Exceptional experience and technique and a didactic that kept everyone engaged.

Marcus Maida
Conference Director, TEDx Speaker, Lawyer, Business Consultant
Brazil

Inspirational.

Melanie’s MPACT Wheel simplifies this immensely complex topic that we want to tackle together.
It really helped to structure our thinking and which areas of the wheel we want to focus on.

Jules Prick
Co-Founder Koos Service Design
The Netherlands

You have made a profound impact on my life.

Despite the popularity of ESG and sustainability, I have found it lacking in depth and workable solutions. Your insights opened my eyes and have not only deepened my understanding but also provided me with a clearer direction and inspiration to make a truly positive difference in the world.

Yue Shue
Executive MBA, Amazon
China