About me
I am Suzanne Valkman (47), mother of 2 wonderful children, founder of Roots to Rise and co-founder of the Deep Ecology Network. I have a background in biology, biocultural (nature) conservation and leadership development. I am currently working as a Senior Expert on Nature Conservation and Performance Development at WWF International (World Wide Fund for Nature) and I teach change management and ecological leadership courses.
From a young age I have been in the forest and I experience a deep connection with the earth. I went to study Tropical Land Use and Biology at Wageningen University and Research Centre and have worked as a researcher in the tropical rainforests of Africa, Asia, Australia and Latin America with indigenous peoples. Fascinated by change in nature, I started to specialize in transformation processes in people and organizations. To this end, I did a 3-year training as a change expert (Pulsar Academy), a training in systemic consulting (Siebke Kaat) and two training courses on leadership and talent development professional (Nyenrode BU). In addition, I am trained as a certified executive coach (ICM).
My mission is that everyone on earth finds his or her connection to to the earth and - as Rilke puts it so nicely - rises up rooted to shine and live a meaningful life in harmony with our beautiful planet and abundance of life. I believe that we can make better choices for ourselves, our loved ones and the earth if we are connected to nature and are open to learning from her.
About Roots to Rise
Orgin
​In 1999, as a Biology / Tropical Land Use student, I conducted research on the use of medicinal plants by the Ke'kchi Mayas in Central America. I lived in the beautiful rainforest and learned a lot about their healing methods, customs and rituals, but especially about the 'art of living' in which nature was always consulted as a guide and philosopher. One day, when I was out with Maha, one of the Elders of the community, I asked him for the word for 'tree'. He said something that sounded like "c'hul-jel". I had heard this word before, but then as a designation for a person; a human being. Maha explained that in their local language there is no other word for human or tree.
"We are the same beings, just in a different form and quality"
Twelve years later, in 2011, I founded Roots to Rise with these wise words in mind. My mission was to connect people with nature so that we can learn from it, be amazed again and learn to live in harmony with nature and ourselves.
When we mirror ourselves in a tree, as the Ke'kchi Mayas do, we see how important our foundation is and we learn to restore the natural order so that we can give and take in a healthy balance. Roots to Rise is about connecting with where we come from, our roots, nature and the earth so that we can stand up for who we really are from that strong foundation and give the best of ourselves from abundance for ourselves, our loved ones and the earth.​