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About me
I am Suzanne Valkman (47), married to Rogier and mother of 2 wonderful children. I am the 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 teach deep ecology practice, kincentric ecology, conservation change management and ecological leadership.
From a young age I experience a deep connection with the earth. I went to study Tropical Land Use and Biology at Wageningen University and Research Centre and worked as a researcher in the (tropical) rainforests of Africa, Asia, Australia, New Zealand and Latin America with indigenous peoples. Fascinated by change in nature, I started to specialise in transformation processes in people and organisations. To this end, I studied traditional ecological practices and deep ecology (Stephan Harding). I concluded a 3-year training in mystisism and transformational leadership (Pulsar Academy), systemic processes (Siebke Kaat) and two training courses on leadership and talent development (Nyenrode BU). In addition, I am trained as a certified executive coach (ICM) and nature guide (IVN).
My mission is that everyone finds his or her place in the web of life 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.
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 the roots of our existence, fall in love with life 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.​