Jessica van Jaarsveld is an environmental philosopher with a PhD in Environmental Ethics who has spent the past decade exploring one key question: why do people care about nature — and why don’t they?

That question now shapes everything she does. Jessica works with leaders, teams, and organisations to help shift sustainability from a box-ticking exercise to a meaningful cultural commitment. Her approach doesn’t focus on checklists or outputs, but on mindset and values. Through thought-provoking sessions, she helps audiences move beyond surface-level solutions to understand why it all matters.

Her journey began in academia, where she lectured and researched environmental ethics. Her work also delves into Indigenous African philosophy, especially the concept of Ukama — a sister philosophy to Ubuntu that sees humans as deeply connected to nature. She has presented at global philosophy conferences and published widely, including an upcoming article in the African Journal of Business Ethics special edition on sustainability.

While rooted in philosophy, her insights are anything but abstract. She brings ideas to life in a way that’s deeply relatable, drawing on hands-on experience — from volunteering on organic farms in Ireland to working in the ancient rainforests of Madagascar and the Karoo desert.

Blending storytelling with rich but accessible insight, Jessica’s keynotes help audiences see their work — and the planet — in a new light. Described as “informative and inspiring in equal measure,” her talks reignite a sense of purpose. Because real change, she believes, always begins in the roots.