Katoo Vael — Sustainability & Education

About

Sustainability meets education

I am a sustainability professional and pedagogue based in Ghent, Belgium. With a background in educational sciences and special needs education, I bring a human-centred and educational approach to every project.

Through Mooment, I provide freelance consultancy on a wide range of sustainability topics and projects, including ocean conservation and restoration, (marine) biodiversity, energy policy, non-profit governance, and AI for non-profits.

As a board member at Bond Beter Leefmilieu and sustainability advisor at Ecofest, I help shape environmental policy and support organisations in embedding sustainability into their operations.

Experience

Where I've made an impact

Board Member Current

2026 – Present

Bond Beter Leefmilieu

Strategic advisory on policy dossiers, organisational governance, and annual planning. Oversight of budgets, operations, and legal procedures.

Analytical thinking Budget oversight Environmental policy Strategic governance

Sustainable Events Advisor Current

2024 – Present

Ecofest vzw

Project and event management, grant writing, and policy development. Leading communication strategy and advising on materials & waste, energy, and catering sustainability. Stakeholder engagement with government bodies, educational institutions, and environmental NGOs.

Client-oriented Grant writing Organization & planning Policy development Stakeholder engagement Sustainable events

Freelance Sustainability Manager Current

2024 – Present

Mooment

Freelance consultancy on sustainable events, project management, and a variety of sustainability topics. Clients include Ecofest, Duurzaam Kantoor, and Syntra.

Event sustainability Proactive & independent Project management Stakeholder communication Sustainability consultancy

Learning Support Worker

2022 – 2023

Support Network DiverGENT

Individual and in-class support for secondary students with special educational needs (SEN). Psycho-educational guidance and socio-emotional counselling across multiple support types, including ASD and ADHD.

Coaching & people skills Counselling Inclusive education Special educational needs

Green Officer: Sustainable Education & Research

2021 – 2022

Green Office UGent

Developed policy on sustainable education and research. Administrative support for the launch of the Ghent Climate Forum. Engaged with sustainability research across various sectors, event management, jury work, contest publications, and editorial contributions.

Editorial ESD policy Event management Research Solution-oriented

Venue & Bar Manager (student)

2013 – 2023

Teamwork · Limonada · Madeleine Middelkerke

Hospitality operations, team leadership and coaching, event coordination, and staff training programmes.

Client-oriented Coaching Event coordination Organization & planning Team leadership

Education

Academic background

2022 – 2023

Educational MSc (Teaching Degree), Behavioural Sciences

Ghent University

2019 – 2022

MSc Educational Sciences, Pedagogy & Education

Ghent University

2015 – 2018

BEd Orthopedagogy, Special Needs Education

HOGENT

Skills & Competencies

What I bring to the table

Professional skills

Analytical thinking Coaching & people skills Educational research & writing ESD principles Grant writing & fundraising Organization & planning Project management Solution-oriented Stakeholder communication Sustainability consulting Training & development

Personal & social competencies

Accessible Ambitious Attentive Client-oriented Dedicated Flexible Goal-oriented Helpful Organiser Positive Proactive & independent Teamwork AI-savvy

Tools & technologies

Microsoft Office Canva Claude Code Lovable

Languages

AI Projects

Building with AI

Blindspot

Species-threat overlap analysis tool for identifying gaps in conservation coverage.

Data analysis Marine conservation Biodiversity Claude Code

HOMIE

Smart wishlist platform for new homes. Curate products from favourite retailers and share with friends.

Sustainable entrepreneur Support local entrepreneurs Claude Code

Climate Data Vault

Structured Obsidian knowledge base for climate data, policy references, and research synthesis.

Knowledge management Climate education ESD principles Obsidian Claude Code

Engagement & Volunteering

Beyond the day job

Youth Delegate with 11.11.11 & Oxfam, UN Climate Change Conference in Glasgow (COP26)

Climate Working Group, Flemish Youth Council

Student Representative, Education & Sustainability Committee, Ghent University

Staff & Animator, Youth work organization 't Speelakkertje

Advanced Open Water Diver (2-star certified)

References

What others say

Katoo guided us brilliantly in making the Vijverfestival more sustainable. No unrealistic goals, but concrete and tailored to our event. We can definitely build on this for future editions.

Ian

Sustainability Manager, Vijverfestival

Katoo is a very driven and passionate person with a true hands-on mentality. An asset to any team!

Mona

Head of schools and research, SODAplus vzw

Katoo distinguished herself through her coordination of the "Future Proef Award", a complex project where she effectively collaborated with diverse stakeholders, respected tight deadlines, and maintained clear communication. Her ability to successfully coordinate multiple projects was admirable.

Femke

Green Office Coordinator, UGent

Katoo's support has been very valuable. My daughter has grown a lot. Katoo's tailored approach, personal attention, and dedication create a safe feeling. Thank you so much for everything. We still talk about you regularly.

Mieke

Parent of student with autism

All uncertainty disappeared when I met Katoo for the first time. What a fresh, pleasant personality! My son clicked with her immediately. He looked forward to the support sessions and gained more self-confidence through Katoo's warm yet focused approach. For parents, Katoo is someone who truly listens with empathy, is deeply involved, and actively seeks solutions. She is genuinely willing to invest positive energy in the growth process of the child she supports.

Saskia

Parent of student with autism and DCD

Let's work together

Looking for sustainability consultancy, educational expertise, or someone to bridge the gap between impact and action? I'd love to hear from you.