Meet the DEAL Community

United States

Hello, I’m Ernesto Velazquez, co-founder of EmergencyEnergy.org, where I work to strengthen community resilience through reliable, clean energy solutions in emergency and humanitarian settings. My work sits at the intersection of energy access, food security, and humanitarian response, grounded in a people-centered, disability-inclusive, and gender-responsive approach to systems building. I bring experience across project management, research, and community-based programming, including work with displaced populations, people with disabilities, and mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) in humanitarian contexts. These experiences drive my commitment to creating effective, resilient interventions for diverse communities. I am particularly interested in advancing clean energy adoption within the humanitarian sector and in supporting smallholders through sustainable agriculture approaches informed by a Water–Energy–Food–Ecosystems (WEFE) nexus perspective. Across my work, I aim to contribute to resilient systems that promote human well-being while respecting planetary boundaries. I’m pleased to be part of this community and look forward to learning from and contributing alongside others working toward more just, inclusive, and regenerative systems.

Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Writer . Mum . Economist . Gender & Leadership Advocate . Interested in solutions to homelessness . Women in STEMM . Climate solutions . Living sustainably .

Riyadh, منطقة الرياض, Saudi Arabia

I believe in truth, growth, and health; and I make things happen wherever I go. Latest gig: shaping the future of cities by building the most sustainable and healthy food system using digital technologies x policy over a land the size of Belgium northwest of Saudi Arabia.

Tegueste, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain

Ludwigshafen am Rhein, Rheinland-Pfalz, Germany

Hi, I’m a Strategist & Creative Director with 15 years experience in the industry. I believe, we have to act now to treat the climate crisis as an emergency and do everything possible to raise awareness and support change. I support and admire the power of current movements like Fridays for future and Extinction Rebellion and hope we can create a movement of professionals to support direct action on a different level. By uniting our skills, I believe we can bring systematic change to make the world a more just and ecologically safe place for all living beings. I love the concept of the doughnut and would like to connect and work with people around the world to change the world for the better.

New Delhi, Delhi, India

São Paulo, Brasil

London

My background is in publishing where I have worked for almost 20 years, both in small independents and as well as large corporates. I am now freelancing whilst starting my own business.    

Arraial D'Ajuda - Porto Seguro - BA

Cazoulès, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France

Weimar, Thüringen, Deutschland

postwachstumsstadt.de uni-weimar.de/stadtforschung

Chicago, Illinois, United States of America

Utrecht, Nederland

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Tāmaki Makaurau

Kia Ora! My name is Katy and I'm proud to call Aotearoa home after moving from the UK 5 years ago. I'm a programme director with experience leading change and transformation across public, private and not for profit sectors. I also hold mental health & LGBTQIA+ non profit board roles. Please reach out if you have any questions or would like to discuss how we could collaborate on a project. 

Amsterdam, Noord-Holland, The Netherlands

Zürich, Switzerland

PhD on ancient microbiomes for sustainable agriculture

Utrecht, The Netherlands

Sustainable Investment Analyst at Triodos Investment Management

Amsterdam, Noord-Holland, The Netherlands

Oxford, England, United Kingdom

North Yorkshire

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America

She/Her/Hers - Marketing Director at City Theatre - M.S. Arts Administration, B.A. Theatre.

Gaborone, South-East District, Botswana

I am interesting in using financial literacy amongst youth and underserved populations.