Ryan de Villiers

Ryan joins our team as a research, collaboration, and innovation intern. He brings a unique blend of artistic creativity and scientific thought to our team. Originally from sunny South Africa, Ryan now calls Amsterdam home.

With a background in theatre and film, Ryan’s early career was characterized by his commitment to performance, writing, and directing. His diverse professional journey has equipped him with strong facilitation and collaboration skills, cultivating a deep understanding of creative problem-solving. Ryan’s notable contributions include projects such as FTH:K’s “Measure UP,” the acclaimed “Matilda the Musical” in collaboration with GWB and the Shakespeare Theatre Company, “Significant Other” at the Fugard Theatre, and “Moffie,” produced by Portobello Productions.

Ryan’s journey toward sustainability began at the renowned Sustainability Institute in Stellenbosch, South Africa. Here, he was exposed to the world of transdisciplinary and complexity thinking, reshaping his mindset and ambitions towards more holistic approaches to addressing global challenges. Continuing his pursuit of knowledge, he decided to further his education, pursuing a Master of Science degree in Sustainability, with a specialization in Environmental Change and Ecosystems.

During the course of his studies, Ryan has worked as a writer and researcher for Sankoré, a social impact and creative consultancy that brings diverse perspectives to the meaning of impact. He also undertook an internship with Prime Vision, where he participated in a team of consultants conducting a comprehensive Life Cycle Analysis of the company’s flagship product, further deepening his understanding of sustainability tools and methods within the corporate sphere.

Ryan’s academic credentials include a Bachelor of Arts in Political and International Studies and Drama from Rhodes University in South Africa, a Postgraduate Diploma in Sustainable Development from Stellenbosch University, and he is currently in his second year of a joint MSc in Sustainable Development from Leipzig University in Germany and Utrecht University in the Netherlands.