Meet the DEAL Community

Veelerveen, Westerwolde, Groningen, Netherlands

As a systems thinker, I analyse reality as if it were a system.   I look at the logic that emerges from the ways in which we meet the basic conditions of life, and how that logic shapes structures, environments, and behaviour. Economics operates within that context as a component functioning on the basis of an underlying structure of a larger whole, with that underlying structure being the guiding force. As far as I can see, economic models are variations within that underlying structure. They can produce shifts, but not structural changes in what manifests through that underlying structure.

Uganda

I’m Namulinde Dagan, a Ugandan with a background in Agriculture and Soil Science and about five years of experience working across agriculture, research, agronomy and sustainable food systems. I am an agrifood systems thinker and analyst, interested in understanding how agriculture, people, ecosystems, markets and knowledge connect—and how we can work across these connections to create more sustainable and resilient food systems. I am also a co-founder of Green Agro Eco Links (GAEL), a youth-led initiative working with last-mile communities, particularly in Uganda’s island and mountainous areas. Our work focuses on soil health, landscape restoration, agronomy, market linkages, policy, and knowledge transfer, while also valuing indigenous knowledge and locally grounded solutions. Beyond my professional work, I am an innovator, researcher, agri-tech enthusiast and systems analyst. I am particularly interested in how science, technology, indigenous knowledge and community experience can come together to address complex challenges in agriculture and sustainability.  I believe that a better world is possible when we look at development through both an ecological and social lens—and when we turn ideas into collective action.

Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear, England, United Kingdom

I am the Operations Lead at DEAL, keeping everything running smoothly by managing our internal systems and processes, and providing operational support to team projects. I am a systems thinker, and am passionate about seeing how workflows fit together within an organisation, as well as improving operational processes so that they work for the diverse humans who use them. Before I joined DEAL, I was a freelance Operations and Project Manager for a wide variety of charities and social enterprises, a Programme Manager for an academic fellowship scheme at a University, and spent 10 years in the publishing industry. 

Cleveland, Ohio, United States

I studied economics in college, and even though I never finished my degree, I've always held an interest in the subject.  I have, for a very long time, wondered how much better the world would be if the main currency was character, and traits like integrity and  honesty were valued above money.  I've been playing around with a short story, which isn't quite so short anymore, which introduces an alternate kind of earth, where the above mentioned characteristics have actually created a kind of "heaven".  Oh yeah, there are ghosts and cartoon characters too.  Even a couple of Sesame Street characters.  I cannot be found on social media.

Beaverton, Oregon, United States

I retired from my career as a Clinical Exercise Physiologist in 2025. I worked in the healthcare setting with heart patients in cardiac rehabilitation for over 20 years. I decided to switch gears in 2026 to the climate industry currently as a volunteer. A few years ago I came across a book called Zero Waste Living that inspired me to look at my personal waste as a consumer. I was immediately drawn to all things related to sustainability. I filled my time with podcasts and reading until I had the opportunity to participate in the climatebase fellowship in spring 2026. My current interests are in waste reduction (especially plastic), circular economy, LCA/Applied sustainable AI, renewable energy, and environmental health. During the fellowship I was introduced to Doughnut Economics and feel privileged to be exposed to this framework and this way thinking. I am still growing my web of climate connections and am currently getting involved in the following organizations:  Rewiring America & Electrify Oregon, OnePointFive Academy, Climate Reality Project, Beyond Plastics, AOR (Association of OR Recyclers), Women in Clean tech & Sustainability and continue to be active with the climatebase community where I can support my goal of climate literacy and meet like minded humans. I volunteer my other time with my neighborhood community network (treasurer, web page/newsletter, landscape manager, festival parade director). I feel my best when I am in nature and the outdoors, and enjoy gardening, spending time with my family, yoga and mindfulness. 

Epalinges, Vaud, Switzerland

Epalinges started the elaboration of its Plan of ecological and social transition in summer 2024 with the help of the society BioEco. In September 2026, it published the technical report and the synthesis of all the work done during this 2 years of collaboration. You can discover all the documents following this link : epalinges.ch/PTES

New Delhi, Delhi, India

 I am studying a pretty straightforward flaw in standard economics: it assumes both nature and women's unpaid care work are free, infinite resources. At the intersection of political science, economics and socio-legal dynamics in India, I look at how our cities run on invisible, uncounted care labor while constantly pushing social and environmental limits to the edge. Being in the DEAL community gives me a space to ground these realities in practice, working to adapt the Doughnut's "social foundation" for informal care networks in the Global South, while learning alongside a global community pushing for economics that actually values people and the planet. 

Wiltshire, England, United Kingdom

I’m a senior leader in the building maintenance and social housing sector, currently working as a Head of Operations across South England, with a particular focus on retrofit and decarbonisation. Outside of work, I’m advocating fo a fairer and more regenerative future. I’m interested not only in how we redesign our institutions and economies, but how we empower people and communities, unlock our collective potential, and turn the extraordinary resources, knowledge and technology humanity already possesses towards shared prosperity and planetary wellbeing. I’m married with two children, which makes this deeply personal too. I want their generation to inherit a world of greater possibility, fairness and security. I’m currently writing How to Fix the World, exploring these ideas and developing the concept of a Global Missions Force (GMF) as a new model for turning global ambition into sustained, real-world action.

Inverness, Highland, Scotland, United Kingdom

Based in the heart of the Scottish Highlands and qualified in Sustainable Development I have experience of working in the private, public and third sectors.  I pride myself on focusing on solutions and considering the ‘art of the possible’ to build genuine, lasting relationships and deliver positive impacts that will make real differences for people who live, work and play in the Highlands and Islands.  As a Community Wealth, Community Benefit and Community-led Development Specialist, I work in a team of passionate and skilled professionals who are committed to achieving positive, meaningful and long lasting results which will bring sustainable prosperity to the region. Proud member of and representative for Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS). Subscriber to heterodox economics and proponent of Modern Monetary Theory (MMT).

I have over six years of experience spanning operations, strategy, and international business expansion. I currently work with a health-tech startup making diagnostic testing more affordable and accessible globally, where I’m building our distribution network across Southeast Asia, Africa, and Latin America.  My experience has given me a strong understanding of how organizations translate strategy into execution, build processes for scale, and navigate the complexities of entering and operating in new markets.  I’m joining this community to deepen my understanding of Doughnut Economics and explore how businesses can rethink their models, strategies, and approaches to growth to create sustainable and inclusive value. I hope to apply these ideas to help build and scale businesses that are commercially viable while contributing positively to people and the planet.

Oberneunforn, Thurgau, Switzerland

Ich bin pensionierter Elektroingenieur und engagiere mich bei Greenpeace, weil ich überzeugt bin, dass wir die grossen Herausforderungen unserer Zeit nicht nur diskutieren, sondern auch ganz praktisch angehen können. Besonders beschäftigt mich die Frage, wie wir unsere Energieversorgung klimafreundlich, zuverlässig und unabhängiger gestalten können. Als Ingenieur interessieren mich dabei nicht nur Visionen, sondern vor allem Lösungen, die technisch funktionieren und sich wirtschaftlich tragen: erneuerbare Energien aus der Region, intelligente Netze und Speicher, Wärmepumpen, effiziente Energienutzung und eine zunehmend dezentrale Versorgung. Gleichzeitig möchte ich über die technische Perspektive hinausblicken. Muss wirklich immer alles mehr werden, damit es uns besser geht? Für mich bedeutet Wohlstand auch Zeit, Gemeinschaft, Sicherheit, eine intakte Umwelt und die Möglichkeit, das eigene Leben mitzugestalten. Deshalb engagiere ich mich in der Greenpeace Regionalgruppe Ost. Wir suchen das Gespräch, hören zu und entwickeln Ideen – ohne den Anspruch, auf alles bereits eine fertige Antwort zu haben. Denn Veränderung beginnt für mich oft mit einer guten Frage und einer praktischen Idee. Meine Mission: Technik, Erfahrung und gesellschaftliches Engagement miteinander verbinden und gemeinsam nach Wegen suchen, wie ein gutes Leben innerhalb der Grenzen unseres Planeten möglich wird.

Annecy, Haute-Savoie, France

Teaching, mostly. Engineering and Management students. They need to reflect on the economy of the 21st rather than the 20th century. Doughnut is the only systematic approach that speaks to them.

Kitwe, Copperbelt, Zambia

Mapalo Chirwa Mapalo Chirwa is an Economics student at Copperbelt University and Chairperson of the Rethinking Economics CBU Chapter. He is passionate about rethinking conventional economic systems and advancing inclusive, sustainable development. He joins the Doughnut Economics Action Lab to learn, connect with global changemakers, and explore how Doughnut Economics can inspire practical solutions for Zambia and Africa.

Bogota, Bogota, Capital District, RAP (Especial) Central, Colombia

An economist and researcher specializing in inequality, care, and development, she holds a PhD in International Development from the LSE and was an Obama Foundation Scholar at Columbia University. She is an economist from the Universidad de Los Andes and a "Leadership for Bogotá" fellow. With 15 years of experience in research and public policy, her work focuses on transforming structural inequalities—particularly in the areas of rural development, the care economy, and the just transition. Her research employs mixed methods and a community-engaged approach, driven by the conviction that knowledge must be applied and disseminated across various sectors. She is the founder, executive director, and lead researcher of Acción Pública. She leads *Reimaginamos*, an initiative that fosters dialogue to transform how we understand and address inequality.

København, Capital Region of Denmark, Denmark

Albanian by roots, born and raised in Italy and have been living in Copenhagen since 2020. Working as a leader in a pharma company since 2021.  I strongly believe that change can only happen if people believe in it and if they engage with like minded people. This is why I am here, to challenge today’s economic and get inspired by you on how to drive this change together.

Switzerland

I'm Head of communication at the Fédération vaudoise de coopération (www.fedevaco.ch), an organization working in international cooperation, in collaboration with Swiss public authorities. As part of our advocacy work, we are developing ideas on the global social lens and the responsibility of public authorities for living conditions in the Global South. The aim is to explore the links between official development assistance and achieving a world within the Doughnut. Our thought are available on this page : https://www.fedevaco.ch/donut and in this article (FR)

Switzerland

I'm Head of Partnerships and Knowledge Sharing at Fédération vaudoise de coopération (www.fedevaco.ch), an organization active in development cooperation. As part of our advocacy work toward public authorities, we are developing ideas from a global social perspective and examining the responsibility of public authorities for living conditions in the Global South. The goal is to explore the links between official development assistance and the achievement of a world within the Doughnut.

Pavullo nel Frignano, Modena, Italy

MD in Economics. Manager and consultant. Great book reader and non professional book writer. 

Richmond, Virginia, United States

I am a design-for-sustainability practitioner focused on making systems more reciprocal than extractive. My work adapts familiar design frameworks so that they give back more to communities and ecosystems than they take. I use play as a way of making complex systems feel knowable. In projects like Time-Shifted Forest, a sustainability-focused trading card game, I turn circular economics and systems thinking into mechanics that friends can learn together around a table, not just concepts buried in reports. Across my practice, I design playful invitations like games, prompts, and workshops to help collaborators see themselves as part of living systems and try out new behaviors in low-risk, joyful ways. Whether I’m prototyping with waste materials or mapping circular textile ecosystems, I’m asking: how might this feel more like play than obligation, while still moving us toward net-positive futures.

Yangon, Myanmar

I’m a professional translator and BBA student from Myanmar, currently working as a Class Facilitator. I have a strong passion for Climate Change, Sustainable Development, and Doughnut Economics. I joined this community to learn, connect with like-minded people, and share ideas.

Edinburgh, City of Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom

I’m a change maker working with and for children, young people and survivors of gender based violence. I’m interested in systems change and the process of building better futures-through care, compassion and community. 

Espoo, Uusimaa, Finland

Communications Lead | DEFI (Doughtnut Economics Finland Initiative) Member I am a Master’s student with a strong foundation in Machine Learning and applied Data Science. Experienced in interdisciplinary research spanning Environmental Science, Medical Imaging, Security, Legal Systems, and Embedded Systems. Skilled in developing intelligent systems and predictive models for real-world applications. Strong interest in research methods, experimental design, and human-centered evaluation of AI systems. Passionate about applying AI/ML to create sustainable, user-centric solutions aligned with Sustainable Development. I enjoy exploring all elements of creativity since I have a variety of hobbies, including singing, free-hand sketching, imitating animal sounds, reading, and gaming. In addition, my love of psychology and creative writing has stoked my interest in learning more about how the human mind works.

55268, Nieder-Olm, Rheinland-Pfalz, Deutschland

Ich bin ein pensionierter Architekt, der etwa 25 Jahre für die Stadt Mainz als Projektleiter gearbeitet hat. Meine Tätigkeit bestand im Wesentlichen daraus, mit externen Architekturbüros beim Bau von kommunalen Gebäuden zu kooperieren. In den letzten Jahren meiner Arbeit habe ich versucht kommunale Entscheidungsträger davon zu überzeugen, anstatt Neubaumaßnahmen Umbauten zu präferieren. Dies vor dem Hintergrund Energie und Ressourcen zu sparen, die in vorhandenen intakten Tragstrukturen bereits existieren. Begehrlichkeiten und der Vorwand technischer Hindernisse haben meine Bemühungen jedoch stets konterkariert.  Auf meiner Suche nach Antworten für die Ursachen sozialer und ökologischer Krisen bin ich auf die Donut-Ökonomie gestoßen, die zum ersten Mal die Dualität von sozialen und ökologischen Belangen thematisiert.  

An Agricultural Economist with experience in leadership, partnership building, project coordination, and policy engagement at national and international levels since 2016. I founded and led Rethinking Economics Zambia, establishing eight university chapters and engaging more than 300 students, teachers, civil society organisations, and policymakers in evidence-based public policy dialogue.  As an Advisory Board Member and Elected Campaigns Council member of Rethinking Economics International, I have strengthened my strategic planning and collaboration skills. My background in democratic governance, stakeholder engagement, and inclusive dialogue aligns with values of democracy, accountability, inclusion, real-world discussions, and political neutrality — that is why I joined this platform.