As Head of International Operations at CFP Green Buildings, Nanda Verschoor works to make companies worldwide more sustainable. From large banks in Belgium to projects in Australia, she helps businesses become more sustainable using the Green Buildings Tool. But sustainability also plays a key role in her personal life. With conscious choices, such as eating vegetarian and exploring creative travel alternatives, she contributes to a more sustainable world both at home and internationally. In this interview, Nanda Vershoor shares how sustainability takes centre stage in her life and work, and how small steps can have a collective impact.
Nanda is the Head of International Operations at CFP Green Buildings. She is responsible for the operational side of projects with international clients. Outside of work, she enjoys sports, with padel as her latest hobby. She also loves experimenting with new recipes and discovering restaurants. Six years ago, she switched to a vegetarian diet, one of the many ways Nanda Verschoor integrates sustainability into her life.
Nanda: “At home, we always had plenty, especially when it came to food. My stepfather, who once worked as a chef, made sure there was always a variety of food on the table, but I also saw a lot of waste. This made me aware of wastefulness from a young age, whether it was food, time, money, or energy.
During my studies, I learned more about sustainability, renewable energy, and the built environment. This changed my view on sustainability permanently. Now I make more conscious decisions, like switching to a vegetarian diet and often even a fully plant-based one.”
“For me, sustainability is about being conscious, creative, and collective.
In my free time, I love reading, both fiction and non-fiction. There are many books that have stayed with me, where sustainability is often central. Some of those books are about food, and what stuck with me the most is the impact of our diet on our personal CO2 footprint. By eating more consciously, I’ve started making more sustainable choices for myself.
“I strongly believe in the ‘ripple effect’, where small changes can have a big impact. When I stopped eating meat, I initially faced resistance from those around me. Now those same people are asking for vegetarian cookbooks as gifts. That motivates me – I don’t have to campaign to still inspire others.”
If I could send a time traveller, I would send them to the 20th century, when consumption grew enormously, fast fashion took hold, and awareness about (plastic) waste was limited. During a World Cleanup Day, my mother and I found an old package of Calvé Borrelnootjes in the dunes. Since Calvé sold the Borrelnootjes brand name to Duyvis in 1996, I realised this piece of waste had probably been around almost as long as I have. I found that really bizarre!
The message I would send with the time traveller? Our choices today always leave traces in the future. Start with the small things, but don’t hesitate to think big!
Nanda shows how conscious choices and creativity contribute to sustainability, both at home and on an international level. Curious how you can make an impact at CFP? Check out our vacancies and discover how you can contribute to a sustainable future!