Scaling Impact Through Systemic Collaboration and Radical Leadership

Today was the third session and second masterclass of the current 9-week sprint in the Americas–Europe–Africa cohort of EcoLaunch. As always, the cohort began with an intention-setting session and will conclude with a retrospective. In between, each week features a live session with global experts. This 9-week sprint is part of the broader 35-week EcoLaunch programme, designed to equip Nature-based and NatureTech entrepreneurs with the insight, confidence, and community to advance regenerative solutions for people and planet.

This masterclass featured two panellists offering grounded insights drawn from extensive lived experience and systems practice: Saskia Verraes and Tom Wilms.

Saskia spoke powerfully about the practice of radical collaboration. When resources are scarce and time is short, she suggested that this kind of collaboration isn’t just aspirational—it’s essential. Rather than competing for attention and credit, Saskia urged us to focus on purpose and build alignment around shared values. “If we all bind together for a bigger pot of money,” she noted, “we can decide ourselves how we divide it, and we all accelerate each other.” Her work draws on the concept of micro leadership—cultivating distributed leadership at all levels of an organisation—and virtual volunteering as a means of scaling impact without expanding bureaucracy.

Tom Wilms brought a different but deeply complementary lens, grounded in integrated coastal zone management. He introduced a practical, iterative approach to designing Nature-based Solutions that accounts for hydrological, socio-economic, and institutional systems from the start. Rather than locking in one solution too early, he advised: “Use that integrated design approach to avoid regrets later.” His example of collaborative mangrove restoration in Central Java—a project now recognised as a World Restoration Flagship—showed how deep engagement with stakeholders across all sectors can yield outcomes that are ecologically sound, socially accepted, and economically viable.

Participants reflected on how these lessons might shape their own work. One spoke of working with established land regeneration organisations to refine their product through co-creation, rather than designing in isolation. Another shared how her team shifted their approach in response to EcoLaunch, choosing to step back from a digital game concept and instead focus on addressing a tangible environmental problem through a new social enterprise idea. Another participant expressed that while they had previously seen themselves as consultants, the EcoLaunch process had challenged them to reposition their business as a true co-creator with clients—supporting not just design, but implementation and strategic evolution.

Several themes echoed across the conversation. What does it mean to truly listen to those most affected by environmental degradation? How do we balance short-term delivery with long-term purpose? How do we move beyond consultation to genuine co-creation? And what happens when we shift from seeing ourselves as entrepreneurs in isolation to stewards of systemic impact?

These are not easy questions. But they are the ones that matter.

Stillness, Story, and Strategic Intent

This week marked the third session and second masterclass in the current 9-week sprint of the Americas–Europe–Africa cohort of EcoLaunch. Each sprint begins with an intention-setting session, ends with a reflective retrospective, and in between features weekly expert-led masterclasses exploring critical themes in ecological entrepreneurship, innovation, and leadership. Across the 35-week programme, these sessions provide rhythm, structure, and an evolving conversation with a global network of practitioners.

Our featured panellists were Lauri Poldre and Leena Joshi, both of whom shared deeply personal and professionally resonant insights that shaped the conversation in distinctive ways.

Lauri invited us into an inquiry around the relationship between stillness and insight. Drawing from his own path—years in high-performance technology roles followed by a sabbatical and long-term practice in nature-based meditation—he reflected on how reconnecting with stillness altered not just his mental clarity, but the quality of his decision-making and leadership. He spoke of the physiological effects of sound and silence, the neurological pathways activated by presence, and the creative intelligence that arises when the nervous system is regulated. Participants reflected on what this might mean for their own work—especially in high-stakes, mission-driven environments where urgency often overrides discernment.

Leena shared her experience in climate advocacy, social entrepreneurship, and creative activism. She described how poetry and visual storytelling open different pathways to understanding and connection, especially when working with young people or communities traditionally excluded from environmental discourse. Her reflections challenged common assumptions about how change spreads. One participant spoke to how the concept of “climate education” had often felt heavy, but hearing Leena reframe it as something participatory, empowering, and grounded in creativity opened new possibilities for their own engagement work.

Throughout the session, participants voiced the challenge of holding both complexity and clarity. One observed that deep listening—to ourselves, to others, and to place—was emerging as a recurring skillset across different disciplines. Another asked about the tension between communicating urgency and creating enough space for people to engage meaningfully. These reflections deepened the sense that presence is not an abstraction, but a practice that directly shapes the outcomes of our work.

In the second half of the session, we shifted into strategic focus. Participants were invited to identify a clear goal or priority for their venture, initiative, or professional direction over the coming two months. Some were working on prototype testing. Others focused on deepening relationships with stakeholders, clarifying messaging, or transitioning from vision to execution. A few participants were at an earlier stage and committed to using the next phase to explore pathways forward with more focus and agency. Across all of these varied goals, a shared theme emerged: the desire to act with more alignment, more discernment, and more regenerative intent.

If you’re navigating your own regenerative path, you might pause to consider:

What intention could structure your next phase of development—whether in your project or your practice?

Where might more space, stillness or creativity shift what becomes possible?

Whose stories are shaping your approach—and which voices are you inviting into the process?

This is the kind of reflective, focused conversation we co-create in EcoLaunch. If you want to learn more, visit https://ecolaunch.earth.

When Communities Lead, Nature Thrives

In a recent EcoLaunch session, four experts from different fields converged on a simple but profound idea: sustainable change grows from the ground up. Each panellist brought a unique perspective on how empowering local voices and blending knowledge systems can drive environmental progress. Hillarie Cania emphasised the importance of building capacity within communities and localising the process. She described how real momentum comes from nurturing partnerships on the ground – weaving relationships with local organisations and tailoring messages that resonate with people’s daily lives. Rather than parachuting in solutions, it’s about growing them from within the community. One participant reinforced this point, noting that outsiders must remember to “incorporate the existing knowledge of the people” rather than assume expertise only comes from elsewhere.

Peter Agbor Ako illustrated what this looks like in practice. Before his team writes any project proposal, they sit down with villagers to map out the community. They find out who the local stakeholders are, what each cares about, and what resources they can share. Crucially, those local voices then help design the project from the very start. By the time any work begins, people already feel it’s their own initiative taking root. Peter has found that this early collaboration means villagers embrace a project fully and are even ready to invest their own time and resources to sustain it.

While community leadership took centre stage, scientific insight added another layer to the conversation. Researcher Haoran Wu is compiling a global database on forest pests and diseases to see how a warming climate could change our ecosystems. He highlighted that the biggest threats to forests can differ vastly from one region to another. In North America, raging wildfires now dominate the conversation, whereas in the UK, the pressing issues are invasive pests and diseases quietly weakening woodlands. As Haoran pointed out, climate change is increasing droughts even in places like Scotland, and nobody yet knows how these droughts might interact with pests or pathogens to shape the fate of forests. His research is a reminder that staying resilient means expecting the unexpected – and planning for a range of environmental challenges.

The discussion also turned to our built environment, which faces its own sustainability reckoning. Architect Soheil Jabbari brought a dose of reality: the construction industry is currently the single largest source of greenhouse gas emissions worldwide. Around 40% of global CO2 comes from how we build – from concrete production to energy use in buildings – making construction a major driver of global warming. But Soheil’s message was hopeful. He argued that by reimagining how we design cities and structures, we can transform a big part of the climate problem into a solution. The key lies in embracing both high-tech innovation and age-old wisdom. In practice, that means adopting passive design principles that keep buildings naturally cool or warm, integrating greenery and sunlight into architecture, and powering our homes and offices with solar panels or wind energy. It also means finally moving away from “harmful and dangerous” old habits – like overreliance on concrete, gas, and oil – and updating building standards to champion creativity and Nature-based Solutions. Soheil’s vision is of a future where city skylines are full of energy-efficient, Nature-integrated buildings that actually reduce harm to the planet and even help regenerate the environment.

Threads of connection ran through all these insights. Each expert, from community organisers to scientists and designers, spoke to an underlying theme: we need to rethink our relationships – between experts and locals, between people and Nature – to make lasting change. Rather than with grand statements, the session closed with thoughtful questions lingering in the air. How might we shift our own mindsets to truly share power with the communities we aim to help? What local wisdom are we overlooking in our quest for innovation? And as our climate changes in unpredictable ways, how can we design solutions – in our villages, our forests, and our cities – that stay resilient and rooted in what communities and Nature need?

Grounded Innovation: Insights from the first Americas–Europe–Africa Masterclass

The EcoLaunch program spans 35 weeks, structured into three 9-week sprints with live expert panels and retrospectives guiding the journey. Last week’s call oriented the global cohort — this week brought the first expert panel of Sprint 1. This Americas–Europe–Africa Masterclass assembled leadership coach Angela Nesbitt, geochemist Dr. Maria-Elena Vorrath, and biomaterials designer Arvind Bhallamudi. It was our second session overall, but the first panel discussion, setting the tone for grounded innovation ahead. Each panellist offered a distinct lens on sustainable leadership and climate solutions, grounded in personal experience and domain expertise.

Inner Coherence and Leadership – Angela Nesbitt

Angela emphasised the importance of inner work and coherence for mission-driven leaders. She observed that once you commit to profit and purpose – to “be profitable, look after your people, and look after the planet” – life gets complex. Her coaching insight: impactful leadership requires balancing ego and soul. The ego isn’t something to destroy; it’s something to harness in service of the soul’s mission. “My soul wants something to happen… it can’t do it without my ego,” Angela noted, but she keeps her ego “in the back seat” rather than letting it drive. This ongoing practice of going inward and coming back out keeps leaders aligned and prevents burnout. Skipping self-reflection, she warned, leaves even visionary founders rigid and prone to repeating old mistakes. Angela also reminded us that emotions carry information. Instead of ignoring feelings or getting swept up by them, she suggested interpreting them as signals. A leader who understands their own internal narrative and emotional cues can respond rather than react in high-stakes moments. It’s an everyday discipline – balancing introspection with action – that builds resilience and integrity over the long haul.

Restoring Planetary Balance – Dr. Maria-Elena Vorrath

Maria-Elena brought an earth systems perspective, focused on reversing our carbon imbalance. “My goal is to use my expertise on chemical cycles to bring… a balanced world – remove greenhouse gases from the atmosphere back into the solid earth,” she explained. She discussed two nature-inspired techniques: enhanced rock weathering (grinding certain rocks and spreading the powder so it reacts with CO₂ and stabilises it as new minerals) and biochar (charcoal made from biomass and added to soil to lock away carbon). Both processes store carbon for the long term and can improve soil health. In fact, Maria-Elena’s recent field trials mix rock powder with biochar, mimicking natural soil composition. The combination didn’t produce a dramatic “big bang” effect, but it showed multiple benefits without downsides. The rock dust provides minerals and helps carbonates form; the biochar boosts water retention and soil fertility. Together they enhance crop growth and sequester CO₂ – an elegant synergy of geochemistry and agriculture. This interdisciplinary approach exemplifies “grounded innovation”: working with Earth’s ancient processes to heal modern problems. Carbon stored in these ways can be highly durable (nature’s own charcoal in coal has lasted hundreds of millions of years). Still, she balances enthusiasm with careful communication of uncertainties. By trialling solutions in different settings – from farmlands to coastal environments – she is helping restore planetary chemical balance one experiment at a time, with an eye on co-benefits for ecosystems and communities.

Designing with Living Systems – Arvind Bhallamudi

From Arvind came a design perspective grounded in ecology. He is on a mission to eliminate toxic materials by creating alternatives with local waste and biology. Arvind described how working with living materials (like mycelium-based composites) calls for a fundamentally different mindset than traditional product design. In conventional manufacturing, one imposes design onto inert matter (wood, metal, plastic) with machines. In contrast, biomaterial innovation means listening to the material’s process. Fungi, for example, are not passive inputs but active partners – “a sentient living thing as compared to a dead block of material.” Arvind shared how his team “parents” mycelium: they feed it agricultural waste, then observe stage by stage as the fungus grows through the substrate, binding it into a new material. This process-aware approach treats constraints as design inputs. The pace can be slower; conditions need to be just right for life to thrive. Rather than seeing that as a drawback, Arvind frames it as an advantage: nature’s slower pace layers hold deep, long-term value. (He invoked Stewart Brand’s pace-layer thinking – e.g. nature moves slowly, fashion moves fast – to remind us that lasting innovation taps into slower layers like ecology.) By respecting the material’s “memory” and life cycle, the design can achieve outcomes impossible with conventional methods. Arvind also highlighted the creative use of waste streams – what was once a liability (e.g. municipal organic waste) becomes feedstock for new sustainable materials. His perspective challenges us to broaden our notion of efficiency: success isn’t just about speed or scale, but about coherence with ecological rhythms. In practice, that means prototyping with patience, measuring full life cycles in centuries, and recognising hidden benefits (the “unseen values of nature,” as Arvind put it) that emerge when we work with living systems.

Participant Perspectives

The cohort’s entrepreneurs and innovators resonated with these insights. They reflected on their own journeys, noting where they might integrate these lessons. One participant realised that rushing to meet every external expectation had led to costly missteps. “I’d rather be slow and do one right thing than hurry and wander around,” he admitted, recognising that urgency in the climate space doesn’t mean sprinting blindly. Slowing down can actually accelerate impact when it prevents burnout and errors. Another participant talked about composting business assumptions – breaking down the conventional “rules” of how to build a venture. She noted that we often follow a status-quo path to success without questioning it. By letting go of rigid step-by-step thinking (the typical “step 1, step 2, step 3” ladder), she suggested we create fertile ground for new approaches. This willingness to challenge unconscious assumptions echoed Cameron’s prompt during the session: Which assumptions are shaping our decisions, and are they all valid? Throughout the discussion, a theme emerged around openness: to slow down when needed, to listen deeply (to ourselves, to nature, to our communities), and to redefine progress on more organic terms. The mood was optimistic and reflective – despite the high stakes of our work, we can afford to be patient and intentional.

Closing Reflections

The first Masterclass left us with probing questions to carry forward. In that spirit, here are a few prompts inspired by the session for you to ponder in your own context:

• What unspoken assumptions in your work might you need to compost or reinvent?
• How are you balancing necessary urgency with the patience that regeneration demands?
• What “inner signals” (emotions, intuitions) are you noticing, and how might they guide better decisions?

These reflections lie at the heart of EcoLaunch’s approach: integrating personal growth, scientific insight, and design innovation to foster truly grounded innovation. The journey has just begun, but the importance of inner alignment, earth-shot creativity, and process mindfulness is already clear. As we advance to the next sessions, we carry these insights with us – committed to growing sustainable solutions from rich, healthy ground.

Explore the program at https://ecolaunch.earth/

Beginning with Intention: Reflections from the first Europe–Africa–Asia session

We opened the first session of the new EcoLaunch sprint with a small but thoughtful group spread across multiple time zones. Some were returning after a break, others were joining for the first time. For all, it marked a recommitment to their path as practitioners and professionals building Nature-based enterprises, advancing NatureTech innovation, or evolving their own capacity to contribute.

Each EcoLaunch sprint spans nine weeks. The arc begins with intention-setting, deepens through weekly interactive masterclasses with global experts, and concludes with a reflective retrospective. These intentional structures are designed to help participants hold focus across both the inner and outer dimensions of regenerative work.

The session created space for open reflection on what matters most—personally and professionally. Participants named what they hoped to strengthen in themselves and in their work, and began to shape clear intentions to carry forward across the next nine weeks.

The structure invited each person to reflect in solitude, then share selectively within the group. First, we explored the inner work. Using the Inner Development Goals framework as a foundation, we invited participants to reflect on their current relationship to themselves—where they feel stretched, stuck, or in need of renewal. Questions included:

What inner capacities do I want to strengthen—clarity, courage, compassion, presence?

What patterns or habits might be limiting how I show up?

When do I feel most aligned with my purpose—and what conditions allow that?

From these reflections, a wide range of insights emerged. One participant noted how they take on too many projects at once, not because of time pressure alone, but because they underestimate the mental space those commitments require. Another spoke of their sense of connection in native ecosystems and the emotional impact of being immersed in old, intact landscapes. Others reflected on patterns of distraction or scattered attention, and how their wellbeing and self-care practices correlate with their capacity to contribute.

One shared how he finds himself most fulfilled when his work aligns with his expertise—when he draws on the full depth of knowledge and experience he’s cultivated over years. Another reflected on the role of assumptions, recalling how as a recent migrant, he expected he wouldn’t be able to work in his field. That assumption dissolved when he secured a university post shortly after arriving.

In one exchange, a participant described his desire to serve as a bridge between research and policy. He spoke of translating environmental knowledge across cultures, learning from different approaches, and engaging with stakeholders to embed Nature-based solutions into planning and governance. Others resonated with the theme of finding flow through connection—with Nature, with peers, and with a purpose that draws from within rather than being imposed from outside.

The intention of this session was to create a space for honest, open inquiry into what matters most right now. Participants were encouraged to articulate goals that reflect both the momentum of their initiatives and the development of the person leading them.

We ended with a round of highlights and takeaways. Many spoke of how affirming it was to hear each other’s reflections. Several expressed relief at being invited to look inward as a first step, rather than launching straight into performance metrics. The space felt grounded, calm, and purposeful.

This session was a container for clarity—where people doing serious work in biodiversity conservation, ecological restoration, and regenerative development can pause and realign with what brought them here in the first place.

If you’re working towards a regenerative future, consider taking a few moments to ask yourself:

What do I need to remember, release, or recommit to?

What kind of leader or practitioner do I want to be—at this stage of my life?

What’s one inner capacity I want to cultivate over the coming months?

This is the kind of grounding clarity we create together at EcoLaunch. If you’d value a process like this, learn more about EcoLaunch.

Setting Intentions for Impact: Reflections from the first Americas–Europe–Africa Cohort session

This week we opened the next sprint of EcoLaunch with a powerful session of connection, reflection, and intention-setting. For some, it was their first time joining the program. For others, it was a return after a well-earned break. For all, it marked a fresh commitment to the path of ecological entrepreneurship and professional growth.

EcoLaunch isn’t a typical accelerator. It’s a space for people building Nature-based enterprises or innovating in NatureTech to pause, reflect, and act with purpose. In our first session, participants explored questions that many of us in this space should revisit regularly:

• What change do I feel called to make in the world, and why now?
• Where am I in my journey—personally and professionally?
• What qualities or capacities do I want to strengthen in myself?
• What would meaningful progress look like in the next nine weeks?
• What have I been avoiding that, if addressed, would unlock momentum?

These aren’t abstract musings. They shape how we show up in our work and in community. Whether you’re restoring biodiversity, prototyping bioregional materials, launching regenerative services, or supporting others to do so—pausing to ask these questions can be catalytic.

Participants shared emerging goals: some tangible, like testing a business model or planting on degraded lands; others more internal, like deepening confidence, reconnecting to purpose, or navigating transitions. The interplay between inner and outer work was a recurring theme.

If you’re working to build a regenerative future, perhaps now is a good moment to ask:
What would success look like for me—not only in metrics, but in meaning?
Who do I need to connect with to grow?
What inner shift would help me lead with more clarity and conviction?

To those in this EcoLaunch sprint: welcome.
To those watching from afar: we hope these prompts support your own next steps.

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Cohorts meet weekly across two time zones: Tuesdays 7pm CEST (Americas–Europe–Africa) and Thursdays 10am CEST (Europe–Africa–Asia–Australasia). Scholarships available.