Suzanne van der Velde

Suzanne van der Velde has a diverse work experience that spans various roles and industries. Suzanne is currently a Founder-in-Residence at Fresh Ventures Studio, a venture building program and start-up studio in the Netherlands, where they co-found companies to address systemic challenges in the food system. Additionally, they work as a Freelance Consultant at SZNN Advies & Onderzoek, where they help organizations become more sustainable and future-proof through the development of strategies and sustainable solutions.

Prior to their current roles, Suzanne was a Commissielid at Commissie voor de milieueffectrapportage (m.e.r.), where they served as a member of the commission. Suzanne was also a co-initiator of Coöperatie Voedselmoeras, a project that won an investment prize for setting up a food marsh in the Zuiderpark in The Hague.

Suzanne has extensive experience in the sustainability and circularity sector. Suzanne has worked at Stantec as a Portfolio Manager Sustainability & Circularity and a Senior Consultant Sustainability and Circularity. In these roles, they advised organizations on their environmental impact, sustainability ambitions, and resource management. Suzanne was responsible for project leadership, technical expertise, and data analysis.

Before Stantec, Suzanne worked as a Consultant SHEQ, Waste & Resources at Stantec and as a Milieuadviseur at Tebodin Middle East Ltd., where they were responsible for environmental reporting and management.

Suzanne began their career as a Scientific Researcher at TU Delft & J. Craig Venter Institute (JCVI), where they conducted research on microbial life in high pH springs in Northern California, resulting in a publication in Nature Communications. Suzanne also gained research experience at KompetenzZentrum Wasser Berlin gGmbH, where they focused on quantifying biological activity in soil and sediments.

Overall, Suzanne van der Velde's work experience showcases their expertise in sustainability, circular economy, venture building, and environmental research.

Suzanne van der Velde's education history is as follows:

Suzanne obtained their Bachelor's degree in Life Science & Technology from Delft University of Technology & Leiden University, where they studied from 2005 to 2009.

Suzanne then pursued a Master's degree in Life Science & Technology, with a profile in Biochemical Engineering, at Delft University of Technology from 2009 to 2012.

As part of their studies, they also spent a year as an exchange student at the University of Adelaide in 2011, focusing on Water Resource Management.

Prior to their higher education, Suzanne completed their high school education at St. Gregorius College in Utrecht, The Netherlands from 1998 to 2004.

In terms of certifications, Suzanne obtained the Safety for Operational Supervisors (VCA-VOL) certification from Koninklijke PBNA in June 2017.

In January 2020, they received the International Project Management Association - Certification Level D (IMPA-D) from IPMA: International Project Management Association.

Additionally, they completed the Permaculture Design Course (jaaropleiding Permacultuur) from Permacultuur centrum Den Haag, although the specific date of completion is unknown.