The Sustainability Institute
Vanessa von der Heyde is an experienced professional in the field of Sustainable Development, currently serving as Co-Director and Operations Manager at The Sustainability Institute since September 2017, where oversight of all adult learning programmes and team management are key responsibilities. Previously, Vanessa worked as a Learning Experience Designer, creating impactful values-based learning experiences. With a solid academic background, including a Master's degree in Sustainable Development and an Honours degree from Stellenbosch University, Vanessa has also contributed to academia as a Lecturer and Research Assistant at Stellenbosch University, focusing on Sustainable Development and Social Entrepreneurship. As the Founder and Designer of The ChangeMaker Programme, Vanessa developed an extracurricular initiative for aspiring social entrepreneurs, and as a Director at Carbon Life NPC, Vanessa aimed to promote sustainable community practices through organic waste management.
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The Sustainability Institute
At the Sustainability Institute, we engage in transformative learning towards just and flourishing futures. Our various activities and programmes strive to realise sustainability through learning, exploring and applying ways of being that are restorative and generative. Founded in 1999, the Institute is an international living and learning centre for theory and practice in values based, entrepreneurially empowered action towards positive social impact and ecological restoration. Our focus on children is centred within the Lynedoch Children’s House, Lynedoch Community Primary School and Lynedoch Youth programmes. We design and create a learning experience that proves that a more just and generative African future is possible, thereby inspiring and equipping learners with skills, knowledge and attitude to activate change for sustainability within their own respective contexts. The Institute is recognised as one of the leading expert institutions in navigating the transition towards social justice and change in complex futures in Africa and forms an institutional base for some of the top academics in the field. Our research and practice maintains a strong focus on sustainable African futures. Our focus on transformative learning from birth and social innovation is embedded through our research, teaching and practice. Our areas of specialisation include #ExecutiveDevelopment, #Research, #Education, #SustainabilityStrategyDevelopment, #LearningExperienceDesign, #CorporateSustainability