I am a Zen Buddhist monk and social entrepreneur. Graduated in Product Design from Antwerp University, and with a vision to empower the most vulnerable communities of subsistence farmers in sub-Sahara Africa, I took the initiative to train giant African rats (AKA HeroRATs) as sustainable detectors in response to the global landmine problem.
20 years after its inception, apopo.org has become one of the leading social enterprises in the world, recognised and awarded by networks like Ashoka, the Skoll Awards and the World Economic Forum.
In 2015, I transitioned from my executive role to focus on the practice of Zen. In the same year I got involved in The Wellbeing Project which aims to catalyze a culture of inner wellbeing for all changemakers.
While exploring the relationship between personal growth and social innovation, I recently co-founded a new initiative innerpreneurs.org which is a brave space for entrepreneurial leaders to fulfil their noble life purpose.
Economic OpportunityEducationEnvironmental SustainabilityHealthHealth DeliveryLivelihoodsLiving ConditionsPeacePeace and Human RightsPost-Secondary Education
Eastern and Southern Africa, Europe, North America, South America, Southeast Asia
