Available for projects

Katoo Vael

Pedagogue with a passion for sustainability and (marine) biodiversity. Bridging education, environmental impact and AI for good.

11 organisations advised · COP26 delegate · 3 degrees

Ghent, Belgium LinkedIn
View my work
Katoo Vael

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 Client-Oriented Coaching & People Skills Educational Research Educational Technologies Educational Writing ESD Principles Grant Writing & Fundraising Organization & Planning Proactive & Independent Project Management Socially Engaged Solution-Oriented Stakeholder Communication Sustainability Consulting Training & Development Working with Vulnerable Groups

Personal & Social Competencies

Accessible Ambitious Attentive Dedicated Flexible Goal-Oriented Helpful Organiser Positive Proactive Teamwork AI-Savvy

Tools & Technologies

Microsoft Office Canva Claude Code Lovable

Languages

NL Dutch native
EN English fluent
FR French intermediate

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 heeft ons super begeleid om het Vijverfestival te verduurzamen. Geen onrealistische doelen, maar concreet en op maat van ons evenement. Hier kunnen we zeker mee verder voor de komende edities.
Ian
Sustainability Manager, Vijverfestival
Katoo is een zeer gedreven en gepassioneerde persoon met een echte hands-on mentaliteit. Een aanwinst voor ieder team!
Mona
Verantwoordelijke scholen en onderzoek, SODAplus vzw
Katoo heeft zich o.a. onderscheiden door haar coördinatie van de "Future Proef Award", een complex project waar ze effectief samenwerkte met diverse stakeholders, strakke deadlines respecteerde en heldere communicatie handhaafde. Haar vermogen om meerdere projecten succesvol te coördineren was bewonderenswaardig.
Femke
Green Office Coordinator, UGent
De ondersteuning van Katoo is erg waardevol geweest. Mijn dochter is veel gegroeid. Katoo's maatwerk, persoonlijke aandacht en gedrevenheid geven een veilig gevoel. Super bedankt voor alles. We praten nog regelmatig over jou.
Mieke
Mama van leerling met autisme
Alle onzekerheid verdween toen ik Katoo voor de eerste keer ontmoette. Wat een frisse, aangename persoonlijkheid! Ook met mijn zoon klikte het onmiddellijk. Hij keek uit naar de uren ondersteuning en kreeg meer zelfvertrouwen door de warme maar toch heel gerichte aanpak van Katoo. Naar ouders toe is Katoo iemand die op heel empathische wijze écht kan luisteren, ze is heel betrokken en gaat actief mee op zoek naar oplossingen. Ze is oprecht bereid positieve energie te steken in het groeiproces van het kind dat ze begeleidt.
Saskia
Mama van leerling met autisme en 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.

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