About Nico
Understand how I work with you to build a unique climate portfolio
About Nico Van Exel
I remember when “sustainability” wasn’t a department or a buzzword—it was radical, hopeful, and deeply personal. I was all in. From early work in human rights across Europe and Asia to two decades in corporate sustainability in the U.S., I’ve watched the field evolve from grassroots to boardroom. But as the frameworks multiplied, something essential began to fade: connection.
After years in the fast-moving tech world, I began asking: what happens when the pace of AI and business outstrips what nature—and people—can sustain?
So I stepped out of corporate life and back into the natural world. The ocean became my teacher, reminding me we’re not here to manage nature—we’re part of it. And if we want real change, we need to lead differently.
I’ve worked across boardrooms and coastlines—with climate founders, AI engineers, and community entrepreneurs. What I’ve learned: lasting impact comes from connection, not control.
Today, I help leaders and teams design values-driven strategies that function more like living systems—adaptive, grounded, and deeply human. If you’re navigating growth or change, I’d be honored to support you—with coaching, strategic guidance, or purpose-led collaboration.
“When we lead from what makes us feel alive, we shift from isolation to connection, from extraction to regeneration.
Strategies that reflect the living systems we are part of bring real change that isn’t just strategic—it’s personal.”
- Nico
My Qualifications
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I’m trained by the Co-Active Training Institute and the Garrison Institute’s Inner Transformation for Social Impact Leaders program—two powerful approaches I combine with 20+ years in global corporate sustainability. My coaching blends strategic clarity with emotional intelligence and mindfulness, helping leaders align purpose with impact. The result: stronger resilience, clearer decisions, and more authentic leadership in service of people, planet, and systems change.
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I completed the IFTF Foresight Essentials course, gaining future-ready tools to help organizations and leaders navigate uncertainty and spot emerging trends. Grounded in 50+ years of proven strategic foresight, this training sharpens my ability to design innovative, resilient strategies for climate, business, and social impact. I use these tools to help clients think ahead—and act with clarity today.
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I began my consulting career at BSR, advising global consumer goods and tech companies on responsible supply chains and sustainability strategy. I’m certified by the US Institute of Diplomacy and Human Rights, bringing a unique lens that blends human rights, sustainability, and leadership development. This helps my clients lead with purpose and create inclusive, values-aligned impact—from their teams to their global supply chains.
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I’ve served as an adjunct professor at Presidio Graduate School, teaching sustainable leadership and systems change to MBA students. I’ve built mentorship and pro bono models supporting social entrepreneurs across Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Today, I bring this global, values-driven approach to coaching emerging leaders and founder cohorts shaping the future of climate, innovation, and impact.
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A BBC-certified sailor with offshore experience in Europe and inshore racing on the San Francisco Bay, I also leads sailing-based experiences for women leaders. These connected sailing journeys offer space to reflect, network, and learn from one another—combining nature, leadership, and community in powerful and memorable ways.
