A Compass for the Next Stage of Sustainability
Inspire your audience with our award-winning insights and FORBES-praised leadership framework, to create powerful impact and strategic advantage.
Keynotes & Interactive Sessions
Grounded in her award-winning research and her unique FORBES Books-praised leadership framework, Dr van de Velde provides the audience with a clear compass for the next stage of sustainability, challenging the audience to recognise and unlock its full potential.
She draws on vivid examples of global best practices and analogies crystalising how to navigate an increasingly complex and challenging sustainability landscape to create strong systemic 'impact yields' and ripple effects, and commercial value.
Based on her extensive research as to what sets best practices apart, Melanie's thought-leadership builds on on deeper insights into what it means to be human, and how to most powerfully achieve balance within our free market economies.
She helps leaders identify the types of 'purpose', leadership and strategies that enable greater systemic impact not only for a more flourishing planet, but also a more equitable, peaceful, stable and prosperous world.
Melanie van de Velde, PhD
Dr. Melanie van de Velde is a unique voice in the global sustainability movement, delivering a compelling blend of big-picture thinking and global best practises. Her thought-leading insights have been a pivotal moment for people ranging from CEOs, Sustainability Leaders, MBA executives and professionals across industries.
After leading Asia Pacific markets for a global tech giant and leadership roles in tech start-ups, Melanie ran an enterprise empowering women in a Nairobi slum. This experience sparked a fire to embark on a long-term exploration of where the issues in our systems lie at their very core, and why some impact strategies consistently deliver far better outcomes than others. This became the focus of her award-winning PhD and continues to underpin her work with executive teams today. Aside from a PhD, she holds an MBA with Distinction, and an MSc in Industrial Engineering.
A TEDx speaker, and founder of Big Tree Global, Melanie is 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”.
"Dr van de Velde's research is outstanding and a worthy winner of the Adam Smith Prize for PhD Excellence"
Dr. Helen Haugh
Research Director
Centre for Social Innovation
Cambridge University
Ignite Conversations that drive High-impact and High-value
To explore how we can best support your event email us at hi@BigTreeGlobal.net
Testimonials
That was the best session I've attended in a decade.
And I've been to a heck of a lot of sessions.
Robert H. Edwards Jr. GCB.D
Managing Director
Hamilton Clark Sustainable Capital
US
I had the pleasure of 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
Way more insightful than what you get elsewhere.
Jamie Davidson
Director Johnston Carmichael
UK
Inspirational.
Bee Lin Chow
Head of Asia Energy Analytics ICIS RELX
Singapore
Amazing insights, this is the need of the hour.
Inir Pinheiro
Founder & CEO Grassroutes
India
I came home bouncing after the session.
The UN SDGs used to feel overwhelming. Now they feel comfortable, and I can't wait to tackle them.
Merlijn Mazairac
CEO & Founder The Rookie Minds
The Netherlands
Finally, a tool to help businesses create powerful social and environmental impact strategies.
Mark Fallows
Founder Fabrica Collective & The Impossible Network
US
TEDxVUAmsterdam | April 2025
YOU ARE BATMAN: The 3 choices that shape your future
