Meet the DEAL Community

Ōtorohanga, Waikato, New Zealand

Working at the intersection of economic systems change and climate action 

Yogyakarta, Yogyakarta, Indonesia

Hi everyone! I am a Master's student in Technology for Sustainable Development at the Graduate School of Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), Indonesia. Before returning to academia, I spent over two decades (since 2000) building a professional career in the Food and Beverage industry, primarily in the dairy sector. Over the years, my concern for the escalating environmental crises (particularly in Indonesia) grew profoundly. It reached a tipping point where I realised I needed deeper answers as to why our ecological issues are worsening despite economic progress. Driven by this, I made major decision on step away from corporate world in December 2024. By February 2025, I began my Master's journey to explore how development can genuinely thrive without  breaching our ecological ceilings. Reading Kate Raworth's "Doughnut Economics: Seven Ways to Think Like a 21st-Century Economist" during second semester on Environmental Economics Class was a revelation for me. However, I quickly realised that translating this brilliant macros concept into localized, actionable steps requires practical tools and community wisdom. Looking at the global map, I noticed a significant gap: the Doughnut framework is still rarely adopted in Indonesia's territorial governance (whether at the village, district, or city level) unlike the widespread implementation in Europe. I am deeply challenged to change this narrative. My immediate goal on this platform is to dive deep into available tools, unrolled models, and case studies from practitioners worldwide. I am currently adapting the Doughnut framework for my university's Field Study Program (KKL) in Padukuhan WIntaos, a rural village in Gunungkidul, Yogyakarta. My mission is to pioneer grassroots implementation of the Doughnut in Indonesia by integrating its 12 Social Foundations and 9 Planetary Boundaries with Javanese local wisdom (Memayu Haying Bawana). I'm here to learn from all of you, exchange ideas on rural/Global South implementation, and eventually contribute our findings from Wintaos back to this amazing community. Let's connect, learning, sharing and becoming together! 

Rende, Cosenza, Italy

I am currently a Post-doc research fellow at the Department of Political and Social Sciences of the University of Calabria. His main research interests include management control systems, sustainability accounting, the higher education system and environmental and social sustainability.

Ohio, United States

I'm a business coach focused on human and planetary well-being. I'm curious about DEAL because I specialize in helping my clients move their organizations toward a future that is equitable and life-giving for all life, including the natural world.

Eindhoven, North Brabant, Netherlands

Hi! I'm an Industrial Design student in Eindhoven (Netherlands), focussed on how we design society and practices. In my designs I use the Doughnut Economics as a template and an inspiration of how I believe the future of society should look. If you are interested in that, please do not hesitate to get in touch :)

Tokyo

For many years, I have been involved in the business development of renewable energy, such as solar and wind power, in Japan and Europe. During this time, I witnessed numerous cases where local communities hosting these power plants struggled to sustain themselves due to ongoing population decline and aging demographics. This made me realize the critical need to nurture individuals who can become new leaders for these local communities. Driven by this realization, four years ago I launched Green Business Producers, a school dedicated to developing regional revitalization leaders. To date, we have graduated 100 students. As we worked alongside many of these students to tackle local issues, we constantly encountered a central debate: Should we prioritize global environmental conservation, or the quality of life and prosperity of the local residents? This discussion often led to a clash of opposing views, frequently ending without a clear conclusion. It was in the midst of this challenge that I encountered the concept of Doughnut Economics. Moving forward, I intend to center our school’s operations around the study and application of Doughnut Economics.

Vienna, Austria

I’m one of the three co-founders of Donut Wien, actively working to bring systemic sustainability transformation to the City of Vienna by applying the principles of Doughnut Economics and strengthening the community of change makers here. In my daily work, I’m an impact and sustainability advisor working with impact investors, companies and individuals on charting paths from intention to impact, focusing on business model transformation reflecting planetary boundaries and social equity.   Before, I worked with The Economist Group for over two decades, where I initiated and implemented the company’s first sustainability strategy while leading the global readership business. After that, I was a strategist with Quantis, a Boston Consulting Group specialist sustainability consultancy for three years working with global F&B players on climate strategies, climate and nature risk projects. I have a master’s in communications from the University of Vienna and did my sustainability education with the Sustainability Management School Switzerland (SUMAS) and Terra.do.

Columbus, Ohio, United States

I came across the Doughnut Economics Model recently and would love to learn more about how policy makers, business owners, and communities have implemented it. I would also love to work together to start discussions about this way of economic thinking near Columbus, Ohio. 

Uganda

Psychologist | Mental Health Advocate | Creative Videographer | Entrepreneur Passionate about advancing mental wellbeing, social inclusion, and community resilience, I work at the intersection of psychology, storytelling, and systems change. As a psychologist and mental health advocate, I am committed to improving psychological wellbeing, reducing stigma, and creating spaces where individuals and communities can thrive. Through creative videography and storytelling, I use media as a tool to amplify voices, inspire dialogue, and promote emotional awareness, healing, and connection. I believe stories have the power to educate, transform perspectives, and drive collective action. As an entrepreneur, I am equally committed to advancing financial empowerment and creating sustainable opportunities that address inequality, insecurity, and exclusion—some of the underlying drivers of poor mental health. My work is guided by a holistic vision of wellbeing and aligns closely with the principles of Doughnut Economics: building societies that meet everyone’s essential social needs while respecting planetary boundaries. I advocate for economies and communities that prioritize dignity, belonging, participation, meaningful work, and mental wellbeing as essential foundations for people to flourish. I believe that true progress is not measured by economic growth alone, but by our ability to create a safe and just space where both people and the planet can thrive.

Brussels-Capital, Belgium

My name is Nicolas Franka. I have worked on "money" all my adult life. I found it to be a central institution that shapes value, power, and collective action. It is as complex as it is misunderstood, yet it a central piece of any power system. Well worth a life of passion you will discover on this website. My work starts from a simple observation: the monetary system is inefficient at allowing ressources for collective purposes. While societies debate democracy and justice intensely, the monetary and economic systems remain largely unquestioned. I analyse the limits of the dominant monetary system and work on concrete alternatives. Indeed, I love combining research, field experimentation, and public debate to bring sustained public attention to a question that has shaped my work for years. .  My goal is clear: to help restore the capacity to act to territories, communities, and citizens, in order to build a fairer, more democratic, and more resilient economy that delivers sustained prosperity for all.

Burundi

NDAYISENGA FABIOLA is a 41-year-old professional from Bujumbura, Burundi, and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Management.  Her academic background has equipped her with expertise in entrepreneurship, financial management, organizational leadership, and strategic decision-making, all of which closely complement economics studies and sustainable development approaches. Fabiola is passionate about using economic knowledge and business principles to improve the livelihoods of vulnerable communities by promoting entrepreneurship, supporting small businesses, strengthening financial literacy, and creating opportunities for economic inclusion, particularly for women and young people. Through her engagement with Doughnut Economics, Fabiola hopes to contribute to transforming economic thinking and practice in Burundi by promoting regenerative and inclusive development models that enable communities to thrive while respecting ecological limits. In Bujumbura and across Burundi, she aspires to establish a Pan-African regenerative learning ecosystem that transforms economics education and empowers future generations to build thriving societies within planetary boundaries.  Through collaboration, education, and community action, she aims to inspire innovative solutions that advance social wellbeing, economic resilience, and environmental sustainability for present and future generations.

Metro Vancouver Regional District, British Columbia, Canada

Passionate about bridging theory-to-action for principles and practices of heterodox economics such as Doughnut economics and Regenerative economics. Humans are the cause for our current socioeconomic and environmental crises, yet I believe that if we can understand ourselves and our relationships, we humans are the solution to solving our crises. I am passionate about any and all conversations around these topics, so please reach out if you would like to connect, I would love to chat!

Hitchin, Hertfordshire, England, United Kingdom

20 years of working as a consumer insight consultant working with large corporations on growth strategy without believing in it which led to serious internal conflicts - I left the corporate world in 2015 and created my own agency trying to work differently and working with clients who share the same vision of a more sustainable economic model although it is very difficult to wean the system off the growth pill.  I studied economics and business in France in the 90s and the way this was taught was extremely one sided - my doubts started then but unfortunately there was nothing like the Doughnut Economics thinking and i was finding myself a lone voice.  I came across the Doughnut Economics a few years ago and it was such a relief to hear that i was not alone in thinking there must a different way. I would love to get involved in the Lab in whatever way possible to advance the thinking.  i bring years of analytical skills, story telling and of working with super large and much smaller organisations.

City of Kigali, Rwanda

Media | Communications, Gender & Conservation Advocate Ndungutse Angello is a broadcast journalist, radio presenter, and storyteller who uses media and communication to advance social inclusion, public participation, and community wellbeing. His work rests on the belief that media can help build more informed, inclusive, and equitable societies. Since 2017, Angello has been using his voice during his shows for reporting and to amplifying diverse and underrepresented voices, and he sees journalism as a platform for dialogue, accountability, and shared understanding as well as a means of informing the public. Alongside broadcasting, Angello has worked in development communication with conservation and development initiatives in the Greater Virunga Landscape, on livelihoods, natural resource management, climate resilience, and sustainable agriculture. His interests span gender and social inclusion, governance, public policy, economic development, and environmental sustainability.  His perspective is informed by Doughnut Economics and its vision of meeting the needs of all people within the means of the planet. He sees media as strengthening the social foundation by enabling voice, participation, and access to information. He also sees it as supporting the ecological ceiling by helping communities understand and act on conservation and climate challenges. His aim is to build a career at the intersection of media, development, gender, and governance, using storytelling to help people understand the world, take part in shaping it, and imagine more inclusive and sustainable ways of thriving together.

With a clear vision of helping companies transition to net-zero emissions, I am leveraging my passion for business strategy and market analytics to make a seamless shift into the energy and sustainability sector. My goal is to drive impactful change through sustainable business models, energy transition strategies, and ESG innovation. After more than 7 years of experience in sales, trade marketing, and project management, I am now pursuing an MSc in Sustainable Management and Technology at RWTH Aachen Business School, where I am deepening my knowledge of sustainability, energy markets, and data analytics for strategic decision-making. ✔ Data-Driven Market Analysis – Identifying sustainability-driven business opportunities ✔ Energy & Sustainability Technologies – Evaluating commercialization potential ✔ Climate Policy & Corporate Strategy – Understanding ESG’s impact on business models ✔ Sales & Trade Marketing – Applying business expertise to create sustainable value I am eager to contribute to companies at the forefront of the energy transition, working at the intersection of business strategy, technology, and sustainability.

Carmel Valley, California, United States

Daniela Hinman is a civic designer, sustainability strategist, writer, and visual artist whose work sits at the intersection of regenerative economics, community resilience, and democratic renewal.  She is the founder of Field + Form, a civic design consultancy based on California’s Central Coast.   Daniela's background includes studies in rural and environmental policy, sustainability, and Indigenous studies at Oregon State University’s School of Public Policy.  Her interests center on regenerative democracy, circular economy theory, and the emerging field of civic design— grounded in over a decade of applied community engagement work across organizing, Indigenous advocacy, policy research, and creative facilitation.   She lives on California’s Central Coast, where she is raising her family, tending her own creative practice in visual art and photography, and finding regular renewal at the farmers market, the library, and on the trails and coastlines that define this particular place in the world.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Brian Munyanganizi is a strategic communications and visual storytelling professional with over four years of experience in corporate communications, public relations, digital media, and brand management within Uganda’s energy sector.  As a member of the Doughnut Economics East African Coalition (DEAL), he brings expertise in shaping compelling narratives that inspire systems change and promote regenerative and socially just development. Brian believes that effective communication is central to advancing the principles of Doughnut Economics.  By translating complex policies, sustainability initiatives, and community experiences into engaging stories, he helps bridge the gap between institutions and the people they serve. His work focuses on amplifying diverse voices, strengthening public participation, and fostering meaningful dialogue around inclusive and sustainable development. With expertise in strategic communication, stakeholder engagement, multimedia content production, photography, videography, graphic design, and digital storytelling, Brian supports the development of communication campaigns that encourage communities, organizations, and policymakers to rethink economic success beyond growth and toward human wellbeing within ecological boundaries. Currently pursuing a Postgraduate Diploma in Journalism and Communication Management at the Uganda Management Institute and a Master of Fine Arts at Makerere University, Brian combines academic research with creative practice to produce innovative, evidence-based communication solutions. His interdisciplinary background enables him to communicate complex sustainability concepts through accessible, visually engaging, and people-centered approaches. Through DEAL, Brian is committed to using communication as a catalyst for regenerative transformation across East Africa—helping build awareness of Doughnut Economics, strengthening collaboration among changemakers, and inspiring collective action toward economies that enable both people and the planet to thrive.

Uganda

Samuel Nsubuga’s commitment to youth development, cross-cultural learning, and collaborative leadership reflects the principles of Doughnut Economics, which seeks to ensure that all people can thrive within the means of the planet. Through fostering knowledge exchange and empowering young people, he contributes to strengthening the social foundations of the Doughnut, including education, participation, equity, community, and opportunity. My emphasis on collaboration across countries and communities supports the transition toward regenerative and distributive systems that prioritize shared prosperity over extractive growth models. By promoting youth engagement, lifelong learning, and collective action, Samuel helps cultivate the leadership and innovation needed to address Africa’s social and economic challenges while respecting environmental boundaries. My  work demonstrates how young leaders can play a central role in shaping economies and communities that are inclusive, resilient, and regenerative for present and future generations.

South Carolina, United States

I’m excited to join this community as an agent of change. Currently, I’m developing tools that use AI technology to provide engaging, dynamic interactions with virtual patients and healthcare professionals, in an effort to strengthen positive and effective communication.  I am also developing a methodology for evaluating projects that meet values discussed in Donut Economics and further lead to funding decisions. It is a new way to explore economics, particularly in the U.S. and I am learning everything I can about this hopeful, fascinating work.  I have a PhD in Applied Developmental Psychology, and additional experience/work in cognition, neuropsychology, behavioral economics, and brain functioning and stimulation (e.g. TMS). I am a practicing kindness-er (TM?) on a daily basis, providing for others in the community, hosting a relaxation corner for cancer patients awaiting treatment, supporting local blessings boxes and educators, and local people in need. I have a wide variety of skills and experiences to draw from including animation, coding, product design, testing, clinical trials, all elements of academic research and in the private sector. I draw from all of my experiences to gather a more thorough view of any problem that pops up.  If any of that is in line or of interest to you, I would love to hear from you, even if just to chat. I’m here to help. 

I’m a strategic designer and facilitator interested in how sustainability-led founders and small teams can make decisions that are both commercially grounded and socially and ecologically responsible. I’m exploring how Doughnut Economics can support practical business design and decision-making.

Piaseczno, Powiat Piaseczyński, Masovian Voivodeship, Poland

Looking for a meaning of life:)

London, Greater London, England, United Kingdom

I founded DC Green together with my partners to address the poor levels of renewable energy adoption in commercial real estate sector. Considering the scale of the commercial built environment and the level of emissions attributed to the sector a solution had to address the friction points to allow adoption at scale and velocity to make an impact.  DC Green is and Energy-as-a-Service (EaaS) company focused on the funding, ownership and operation of behind-the-meter (on site) renewable energy infrastructure.  I am a property guy  with decades of capital markets and real estate investment experience across the UK, Continental Europe, and the CEE region. Formerly Investment Director for CEE and then Head of Investment for Continental Europe, Middle East & Africa for a global advisory firm.  Fascinated to see how we can build new businesses and economic realities around DEAL principles. 

I am an educator, researcher, and practitioner in development economics, climate change, and public policy.

Northampton, Massachusetts, United States

Jess Paré is a coach and facilitator who helps people navigate career transitions, clarify what’s next, and build lives and work that align with their values. She has started three businesses of her own, provided technical assistance to small business owners, and worked with entrepreneurs ranging from solopreneurs to leaders of companies generating over $50M in annual revenue. Jess has a 20 year career with experience in many sectors, including higher education, nonprofit, government, and corporate. Jess brings a grounded, compassionate approach to her coaching which incorporates nervous system awareness, values identification, and building self-trust.