Dr. Kim Poldner

Dr. Kim Poldner serves as Professor of Circular Business at The Hague University of Applied Sciences and holds the endowed professorship in Regional and Circular Economic Development at the University of Groningen since January 2024. Her academic journey includes a PhD from the University of St. Gallen, Switzerland, focusing on sustainable entrepreneurship in the textile industry. Before entering academia, she established herself as a pioneer in sustainable fashion by founding the Netherlands' first eco-fashion store in 2005 and launching the Eco Fashion World platform. At Wageningen University & Research, she founded the Circular Fashion Lab, which brings together scientists and designers to create innovative materials and redefine textile supply chains. Her research spans circular business models, sustainability transitions, and regenerative leadership, with her work appearing in prestigious journals including Business & Society and the Journal of Cleaner Production. Her practical experience includes curating a green wardrobe exhibition "Wear I Am" in 2017, featuring her upcycled wedding dress. She advocates for transforming consumer behavior and education around textiles, promoting digital fashion as a sustainable alternative, and emphasizing that the transition to a circular economy requires not just technological innovation but a fundamental shift in values.