Elise Van Middelem

Elise Van Middelem is Founder and CEO of SUGi, an impact-driven social enterprise at the forefront of greening cities and reimagining urban life. Van Middelem has grown SUGi from a grassroots movement to a leading voice for Nature-based Solutions, earning recognition as UpLink Top Innovator by the World Economic Forum, inclusion in 1t.org, and UN Decade for Ecosystem Restoration. To date, SUGi has created over 220 self-sustaining ultra-dense forests of native-only species in 53 cities worldwide (from Beirut to London, New York City to the Yakama Nation), according to the proven Miyawaki Method. This signature strategy for boosting biodiversity restoration, climate resilience, and community wellbeing sets SUGi apart, as does their global network of expert forest makers, publication of a pioneering annual Impact Report, the establishment of a Fellowship Program, and an artist-curated Photography Contest.

Van Middelem's leadership in fostering public engagement and collective action around global ecology is bolstered by her abiding commitment to building powerful coalitions amongst diverse groups to deliver on a common purpose. With 18 years of seasoned leadership and expertise as a creative brand strategist, she successfully developed large-scale interdisciplinary projects from conception to execution for major corporations such as Louis Vuitton, Samsung, and Art Basel.