Tijn has been doing two things all his life: acting, and trying to make the complex more simple. He is known to captivate audiences whilst explaining the technological evolutions of present day and the future possibilities they might enable. Though often recommended to become a teacher or entertainer, Tijn has chosen to use his skills as a software architect/engineer for online development, which he percieves to be the most interesting frontier with the most exciting projects for a better future.

Tijn has a master’s degree in Artificial Intelligence from the University of Amsterdam, and has 3 years of experience as a software engineer at Logica. Initially joining the Logica NL Space department (“to hone his development skills”), Tijn has mainly been involved in European R&D projects on Cooperative Intelligent Transport Systems as Test-Site/Demo Developer and, later, Software Architecture Coordinator on European level. His biggest challenge has been to align project partners over Europe together to design an integrated system cooperatively, according to technological and architectural standards – a task finished in early 2011 and deemed succesful by colleagues and the assigned EC project review committee.

Though succesful as Logica employee, Tijn did not agree with the principles of the global IT consultancy, the company structure and the sustainability of the services provided. Tijn has been collaborating with Except since September 2011 with his company Uplink, developing online tools; open source and aimed to share knowledge and expertise.

A green heart, a love for cultures and people plus a pair of high heels, that quickly sums up Sharon. She believes that innovative sustainable ideas from creative social entrepreneurs can change the world. And she considers herself one of of those entrepreneurs. Already many examples of a new way of thinking can be found all over the world; Initiatives that let go of old dogmas and lead to a higher quality of life and a flourishing environment. Connecting her local and international knowledge and networks Sharon comes up with transcending concepts to implement sustainability in modern day society.

Sharon achieved her Master of Arts degree in Social Environmental Science at the University of Utrecht with a thesis on how sustainable innovations can conquer the market. During and after her studies she traveled extensively in Asia, where part of her family roots are, and got inspired to focus on international sustainable development projects. In The Netherlands she did so working for Fairfood International and NCDO. The past 5,5 years she worked in Latin America, for example with local entrepreneurs on sustainable tourism in Patagonian Chile and with female artisans on fair trade in the favelas of Rio de Janeiro (Brazil).

Combining strength with other innovative minds within Except, Sharon works on system changing projects to become reality and open the door to a sustainable future.

When Anteneh began his carrier as a construction technologist in 2002, and dipped his toes into sustainable development in 2006, he didn’t realize he was onto one of the biggest academic challenges that will keep him wanting to go deeper and deeper. His growing concern is the human-involvement in climate change and society’s lack of action to change practices.

Anteneh has a Post-grad diploma in urban land management and informal settlement regularization, a Masters Degree in urban management and Development, a Bachelor degree in construction technology/civil engineering, and diploma in Auto-mechanics.

Anteneh has worked in the construction industry as a designer, consultant and supervisor in several cities and towns in Ethiopia. He also worked as a lecturer and instructor in universities and technical colleges. After his master’s degree he focused more on urban development issues where he worked in master plan development, housing development projects and neighborhood development programs in Ethiopia and the Netherlands.

Carmen is an Industrial Ecologist with a big heart and a scienctific mind. With her care and insight she aims to create opportunities for a flourishing world, and inspires others to join her.

Carmen facilitates teams by adding analytical, critical, and systems thinking, and her enthusiasm and diplomatic posture encourages people to work together. Carmen has a strong affinity and knowledge base in food and urban agriculture. This supports her personal mission to bring change in food consumption, and dreams of a future in which everyone has access to sustainable and healthy food.

From a young age on Carmen is fascinated with nature and ecology. This inspiration by nature has led her to a deep passion for working towards sustainability. Exploring and discovering are two aspects central in Carmen’s life; only by getting to the bottom of things she can satisfy her curiosity.

Carmen has a Master of Science in Industrial Ecology from Leiden University and Delft University of Technology, and a Bachelor in Industrial Design from Antwerp University. Next to her work at Except she participates in local initiatives such as Den Haag in Transition and Youth Food Movement Den Haag.

With his ever-ready smile and always-sparkling sneakers, Elias proves sustainability can be done in style. He draws on his level-headed systems thinking to develop creative new frameworks for sustainable growth. Elias is a perceptive observer who likes to delve beneath the surface – examining flows, absorbing, and reflecting in order to get a deeper understanding of the situation.

His broad interest in sustainability stems from two fundamentals: passion for the growth of the individual and commitment to the health of the environment in which they do so. Elias has addressed this by working on a wide range of projects, from analyzing eco-industrial park development, to mapping industrial sectors, and studying the disconnection between urban life and food systems.

Elias has a Masters in Industrial Ecology and a Bachelors in Sustainable Molecular Science and Technology, both from the Technical University of Delft and Leiden University

Gijs Broos is a sociologist and urban strategist with an entrepeneurial mind. From early on he was fascinated by how the world works. By reading, travelling and meeting interesting people he has explored the fundamentals of society and he still is.

He started working at the Future Institute looking at consumer trends. After more than a year of some very innovative thinking, he started working as a strategist at the City Development Corporation Rotterdam. For five years he has worked on long term city visions and strategies in how to create a prosperous city. It brought him to many cities in Europe and even to Tokyo, Hong Kong and New York.

Hitting the thirties, he wanted to do more than just telling stories. So when he got the opportunity to realize his idea of creating a new public broadcasting company for urban screens, he took it. The next three years he spent building this company from the ground up. After this experience he went looking for new opportunities which he found in matters concerning sustainability, knowledge valorisation and city development. Except appears to be the perfect partner!