The Story of NELIS

In the early 2000s, co-founder Peter David Pedersen found himself in the heart of corporate Japan, working on sustainability strategies with multinational corporations. The work was meaningful, the people were well-intentioned, but something fundamental was missing. Despite meeting countless individuals who genuinely cared about creating positive change, Peter realized a sobering truth: authentic transformation could not happen within systems that were inherently resistant to change.

This wasn't a moment of defeat—it was a moment of clarity. If change couldn't come from within established structures, then it had to come from outside. It had to come from a new generation of leaders who weren't constrained by old paradigms, who could reimagine sustainability from the ground up.

What makes NELIS unique is not just its global reach, but its fundamental belief in human potential. The network operates on the principle that innovative solutions to our world's most pressing challenges already exist—they just need to be discovered, nurtured, and connected.

From climate action initiatives in remote villages to technological innovations in bustling cities, NELIS leaders are proving that sustainability isn't just about environmental protection—it's about creating systems that allow all life to thrive. They're social entrepreneurs building inclusive economies, intrapreneurs transforming organizations from within, and community leaders mobilizing collective action for positive change.

We design and lead innovative projects around the world, empowering diverse sustainability practitioners to co-create a better future.