ABOUT ALULA
We specialize in innovative sustainability- and online-focused research and curriculum projects for
academic institutions, non-profits, government and corporations. (We also do field, supply and event logistics!)
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Cindy Anderson (she/her/hers) is the founder and CEO of Alula Consulting. She is an effervescent education ‘architect’ that aspires to change the world by cultivating the development of humanity’s future leaders in education and design. Cindy strives to do this by fostering a culture of awareness and creativity through sustainable, innovative and democratized learning opportunities, and by deepening transdisciplinary and collaborative experiences.
Cindy has taught thousands of people through courses and workshops, around the world and online, in the fields of biology, sustainability and biomimicry. Most recently, Cindy was the director of Faculty and Sustainability Initiatives at VentureWell where she oversaw the higher education catalyst team and innovative projects funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the National Science Foundation, the Kern Family Foundation and The Lemelson Foundation. Previously, she was the founding director of the Sustainable Design program at the Minneapolis College of Art and Design (MCAD) for nearly 8 years. During her tenure at MCAD, Cindy launched the world's first fully online, multidisciplinary MA in Sustainable Design. Prior to MCAD, she served for nearly four years as the founding director of university education at the Biomimicry Institute where she developed and managed all higher education programs, including the professional certification program, annual education summits, affiliate and fellows programs and design challenges. For many years before, Cindy was a seabird biologist and field camp manager in numerous remote field sites around the world, including several projects in the Antarctic and high Canadian Arctic. Cindy recently returned from the Democratic Republic of the Congo where she was working as a field and tech logistician for Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), aka Doctors Without Borders.
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Cindy holds a MS from Oregon State University (Oregon, USA), a MEd from Griffith University (Queensland, Australia), and a BSc in biology from the University of Guelph (Ontario, Canada).
TESTIMONIALS
CINDY COOPER
Senior Program Officer:
The Lemelson Foundation
Cindy is an exceptional professional who delivers a unique blend of deep subject matter expertise with an unparalleled enthusiastic and collaborative style. Cindy worked with me as a consultant for The Lemelson Foundation on a qualitative research study to identify and analyze best practices, challenges and opportunities for integrating sustainable design and environmental responsibility principles in higher education invention and entrepreneurship offerings. She came highly recommended, and it quickly became obvious why. Cindy is simply a joy to work with. I always looked forward to our interactions and hope we have many opportunities to work together again.
I welcome referral requests for Cindy.
SAM STIER
Director:
The Center of Learning With Nature
If you are looking to hire Cindy, stand in line. After four years of working with her, I could not recommend someone more highly to manage complex projects with the highest level of care, poise, skill, and effectiveness. She gets the job done, and raises everyone's self-respect and aspirations in the process. She is an absolute delight to work with, mixing heart and skill in just the right measure. This is someone you absolutely want on your team.
DENISE DELUCA
Founder:
Wild Hazel
Cindy has been a fantastic colleague to work with -- incredibly reliable as well as flexible. Cindy has a very clear idea of her own ideas yet maintains an open mind and willingness to listen to the ideas of others. Cindy has has taken on new projects and produced amazing results with minimal time, resources, and guidance. Cindy works very well both independently and as a member of a dynamic team. I would recommend Cindy to tackle about any crazy challenge you can throw her way.
MARJAN EGGERMONT
Interim Associate Dean &
Teaching Professor:
Schulich School of Engineering
University of Calgary
Cindy is an extremely well-rounded individual. She not only has fabulous organizational skills, but does all her tasks with a smile on her face. She can see the big picture, yet at the same time keep each individual involved in the foreground. She sees, so to speak, the trees and the forest. She is a natural teacher, a great workshop facilitator and has the ability to keep large groups motivated and focussed. I highly recommend Cindy.
JEREMY FALUDI
Assistant Professor:
Sustainable Design Engineering
TU Delft
Cindy is awesome! Really, I can't recommend her highly enough. I've worked with her both as a consultant on an academic research project and at Minneapolis College of Art and Design for many years, and she's always reliable, on top of things, organized, and gets the job done. She's so organized she even makes it easier for you to get your job done. She's also smart and creative, and knows what she can & can't do, so she won't overpromise. If she says she'll do it, she'll do it, and she'll probably be done early. Finally, she's also super-cheerful and fun, and is up for adventures, so she's a delight to be around as well! Again, I really strongly recommend her.
TIM MCGEE
Founder:
LikoLab
Cindy brings a buoyant and clear passion to her work. Unfailingly kind and generous, Cindy's curious mind and ordered work ethic always inspires me to go the extra mile myself. Without a doubt one of the most professional, and dedicated individuals I know. Cindy is a treasured part of every team she is on, and I look forward to working with her in the future.
PROJECTS
We are delighted to be working with VentureWell, a non-profit organization that’s on a mission to cultivate a pipeline of inventors, innovators, and entrepreneurs driven to solve the world’s biggest challenges and to create lasting impact.
We are currently engaged with VentureWell to advance their Engineering for One Planet (EOP) reporting and public dissemination efforts.
Learn more about VentureWell programs at: venturewell.org
We love working with The Lemelson Foundation, a non-profit that uses the power of invention to improve lives, by inspiring and enabling the next generation of inventors and invention-based enterprises to promote economic growth in the US, and social and economic progress for the impoverished in resource-poor countries.
We are continuing our work for the past 5 years with The Lemelson Foundation on the exciting Engineering for One Planet (EOP) initiative that aspires to reimagine engineering education with an environmental and social sustainability focus through collaborative and inclusive community efforts.
Learn more about the newly revised EOP Framework, the two new framework companion teaching guides, the EOP Network, and the broader EOP initiative at
We're excited to be working with ASEE again (with Cohort II) on the Engineering for One Planet (EOP) Mini-Grant Program where 14 more campuses across the US are working to integrate the EOP Framework into engineering courses and programs with the support of mentors. This program will run from 2022-2024.
Learn more & how to apply by visiting ASEE EOP-MGP.
RECENT CLIENTS
American Society for Engineering Education; Arizona State University; Big Sky Documentary Film Festival; Biomimicry Institute; Canvas.net; College of Charleston; Dartmouth College; Engineering Change Lab USA; International Wildlife Film Festival;
The Lemelson Foundation; Massachusetts Institute of Technology; Minneapolis College of Art and Design; Missoula Medical Aid;
Montana Book Festival; Oregon State University; PBS Kids; Penguin Films; Project Community Connect; GeekPuff; Green Building Research Institute; Silverback Films; Twin Cities Public Television; University of California, Santa Cruz; University of Montana;
University of Manitoba; VentureWell (formerly National Collegiate Inventors and innovators Alliance); Western Washington University
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PRODUCTS*
*Cindy (Gilbert) Anderson was lead or co-author on each of the publicly available products shown above. Click on images to download.
