Rebecca is based in the Netherlands, where she delivers complex programmes at the intersection of clean technology and sustainability — translating environmental goals into structured roadmaps and measurable outcomes. As a Customer Success Manager at Samotics, she works with industrial organizations on green technology adoption, and has a growing interest in food systems and sustainable production at scale. Originally from Ireland, she also co-chairs Slow Food Youth Network Nederland. Rebecca founded and leads the WCS Amsterdam Chapter, dedicated to empowering women and growing the cleantech ecosystem across the Netherlands.
Amsterdam
Join our WCS Amsterdam LinkedIn Group
Mission Statement
The mission of the Amsterdam Chapter is to foster a regional WCS community of professionals that connects, cultivates, and creates new opportunities for participants through events focused on the Amsterdam and the EU.
Description
The Amsterdam Chapter organizes virtual and in-person events that cater to people living in the European Union and feature topics important to its environment and people living in this region. We collaborate with a variety of community organizations, industry leaders, and volunteers to host regular events. We are known for our social outing events, such as hikes, beach clean-ups, and other excursions.
Chapter Leadership
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Cinzia Alberti Mazzaferro Membership Lead
Cinzia is an expert in clean energy policy, supporting climate tech investors and startups as they navigate evolving regulations and market-entry pathways. Her work helps innovators understand the policy landscape so they can scale solutions and accelerate the energy transition. She’s long been committed to increasing female representation in the traditionally male-dominated field of cleantech policy, and is excited to join WCS Amsterdam to help build a community where women can share knowledge, access resources, and support each other’s growth.
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Akhila Nandanavanam Amsterdam Chapter Events Lead
Akhila is co-founder of Soil Next BV, a climate startup restoring soils as carbon sinks. After building her career in consulting and FMCG (Gillette, Colgate-Palmolive, Danone), she moved into entrepreneurship to focus on climate solutions and food security. She’s passionate about increasing opportunities for women in climate tech—where female founders receive less than 2% of VC funding—and is an active WCS Amsterdam member who loves connecting with fellow innovators over coffee in Nieuw-West.
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Lucie Ladigue Amsterdam Chapter Partnerships Lead
Lucie is a connector and strategist working at the intersection of sustainability, innovation, and collaboration. As Partnership & Policy Manager at the Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute (C2CPII), she helps brands across fashion, building materials, packaging, and print integrate circularity and healthy materials into product design. She leads the Institute’s engagement with EU regulatory frameworks, ensuring the C2C Certified® Products Program stays aligned with Europe’s evolving sustainability landscape. Lucie is excited to bring her network and policy expertise to WCS Amsterdam, helping members connect and amplify their collective impact.
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Nicole Davies Communications Lead
Nicole Davies is a chemical engineer with experience supporting complex nuclear development, energy strategy, and emerging technology projects. Originally from Toronto and now based in Amsterdam, she is focused on helping turn ambitious clean energy ideas into practical, investable, and deliverable projects. She also helps grow the Women in Cleantech & Sustainability community in the Netherlands. Outside of work, she enjoys trying new sports, exploring new places, and finding the best new foods to eat.
Upcoming Events
Beyond the Hype: AI's Real Impact on Cleantech & Sustainability — Keynote Session & Networking
From September 1, 2026, 7:30 am to September 1, 2026, 9:30 amMore Information
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Beyond the Hype: AI's Real Impact on Cleantech & Sustainability — Keynote Session & Networking
Date: September 1, 2026
Time: 6:30 - 8:30pm
Location: De Sering, Rhoneweg 6, 1043 AH Amsterdam
Explore AI's environmental costs and governance with women in cleantech and sustainability. Keynote + Q&A + networking.
Ticket price:
- $9.15 (€8) for WCS Members
- $13.70 (€12) for Non-Members
- Interested in becoming a member? Learn more here
Please note: photos and videos will be taken during the event.
Sustainability professionals are adopting AI at a lower rate than other industries and women are adopting AI at a different rate than men in the workplace. What’s going on? We’ll talk GenAI impact, industry specific use cases and mindset shifts.
This event features a 45-minute keynote from Madalina Buzdugan on AI's true cost, followed by interactive Q&A. Unlike events selling adoption strategies, this centers women facing "AI or die" pressure while witnessing environmental costs. Madalina covers:
- Environmental and social costs: energy, emissions, labor exploitation, bias;
- Cognitive load and burnout;
- Governance: EU AI Act and its limits
You'll leave with criteria for choosing tools, permission to set boundaries, and concrete actions.
Questions on this topic that you would like Madalina to answer ahead of the event? Email us at wcs_amsterdam@womencleantechsustainability.org.
Speaker:
Madalina Buzdugan
Madalina Buzdugan is a Sustainability & AI Strategist and former Director of Sustainability at EVBox. She built ESG frameworks for fast-growing tech companies across Europe and Asia and now helps organizations pause the "AI or die" madness through Sustainable AI sessions and AI for Impact workshops. She's writing The Tired Overachiever, a book on global challenges for Millennials and Gen Z. Her approach: practical, no-nonsense, direction from chaos.
EVENT SPONSORSHIPS AVAILABLE! Please email us at info@womencleantechsustainability.org if you have any questions.
WCS Amsterdam — Members Mixer
From September 23, 2026, 9:30 am to September 23, 2026, 10:30 amMore Information
WCS Amsterdam — Members Mixer
Date: Wednesday, 23 September 2026
Time: 18:30 - 19:30
Location: TBD — shared with members closer to the date
A casual evening for WCS Amsterdam members to connect with women across the cleantech and sustainability ecosystem. Members only — each member may bring one guest working in the space.
WCS Members only.
Ticket price:
- Free — attendees buy their own drinks
- For non-members — please become a member by joining here
Please note: photos and videos will be taken during the event.
Amsterdam's cleantech and sustainability transition needs women who are connected — to each other, to ideas across industries, and to the kind of knowledge that only comes from being in the room over time.
The WCS Amsterdam Members Mixer is a regular evening for exactly that. No agenda, no panels — just genuine conversation with women working across the full spectrum of cleantech and sustainability. Whether you're in policy, venture, circular economy, energy, or food systems, this is where cross-industry connections happen naturally and build into something lasting.
This is a members-only event, hosted by the WCS Amsterdam Chapter. Members are welcome to bring one guest who works in cleantech or sustainability. Not a member yet? Contact the event lead to find out how to join before registering.
Learn more about membership here.
EVENT SPONSORSHIPS AVAILABLE! Please email us at info@womencleantechsustainability.org if you have any questions.
Past Events
Matchmaking & Networking Event
From April 7, 2026, 9:30 am to April 7, 2026, 11:30 amMore Information
Amsterdam Virtual Holiday Mixer with a Look Ahead to 2026
From December 12, 2025, 3:00 am to December 12, 2025, 4:00 amMore Information