Gede Putra Witsen
I didn’t always know I’d be building social impact ventures, but looking back, the path makes perfect sense. I grew up in Bali, Indonesia, deeply connected to my roots and surrounded by a family dedicated to preserving Balinese culture through arts and authentic experiences. That early exposure to purpose-driven work shaped how I see the world.
In 2018, I received a scholarship to study International Relations at IE University, an opportunity that changed my life. I graduated in 2022, but the friendships, networks, and entrepreneurial mindset I developed there have stayed with me. IE was more than a degree; it was an incubator for innovation, where professors brought real-world experience into the classroom and encouraged us to approach every challenge with curiosity and creativity. Even in a non-business program, the entrepreneurial spirit was everywhere.
Currently, I lead the D.E.S.A Project, a circular economy initiative supported by Garden of Life which is dedicated to empowering rural producers, promoting sustainable tourism, and designing immersive learning programs for youth. We’re starting in Bali, but our vision is global.
I also run my own companies; Naturkultur TRI & Naturprodukt Bali, both focused on experiential learning programs that take students beyond the classroom and into the world, as well as innovating raw materials into value-added with farmers, empowering and preserving regenerative practices. For me, the goal has always been clear: to harmonize business and purpose, create opportunities for others, and build a more sustainable, inclusive future.
"You don’t need to change the whole world, just start by doing something that helps."
Q&A WITH GEDE
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR IE EXPERIENCE IN ONE WORD?
Friendships.
That’s the word that comes to mind immediately. The connections I made at IE were incredibly meaningful — friendships that have lasted beyond graduation and continue to grow on both personal and professional levels. University is about learning, yes, but it’s also about the people you meet along the way. And in my case, those relationships have been life changing.
IN WHAT WAYS DID IE SHAPE YOU, BOTH PROFESSIONALLY AND PERSONALLY?
On a personal level, again, it comes back to friendships, the people I met at IE helped shape my perspective and path.
Professionally, I found IE to be an incubator of innovation. The professors weren’t just academics, they were professionals in their fields: diplomats, EU experts, global thinkers. That kind of exposure had a huge impact on me.
IE also taught me to think entrepreneurially, regardless of discipline. Even as an international relations student, I was constantly encouraged to look at challenges through a business and innovation lens. That mindset has stayed with me and it's at the core of everything I do now.
WHAT SKILLS OR EXPERIENCES FROM IE HAVE BEEN MOST USEFUL IN YOUR CURRENT ROLE?
Communication and entrepreneurship are two key skills that I still use every day.
IE puts a strong emphasis on participation, dialogue, and debate so you’re constantly encouraged to speak up, share your perspective, and challenge ideas. That kind of environment builds confidence.
And the entrepreneurial mindset IE goes beyond starting a business. It’s about how you approach problems, how you collaborate, how you innovate. Those tools have helped me lead D.E.S.A and the other projects I’m involved in.
WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO FOCUS ON SOCIAL IMPACT, SUSTAINABILITY, AND DIVERSITY?
Part of it comes from my roots and how I was raised. I grew up in Bali and was deeply involved in a family business we built together, focused on social impact through arts, culture preservation, and innovation. Our goal was always to provide authentic Balinese experiences, allowing visitors, whether tourists or schools, to engage meaningfully with local traditions and nature. That foundation shaped my worldview.
From there, I expanded into other ventures centered on circular economic development, including the D.E.S.A Project, which I am currently a director at. They are supported by Garden of Life, which empowers rural producers, helping them innovate and access broader markets, while also preserving the environment and culture in those communities. We also offer educational and volunteer programs for youth, giving them real-world exposure to sustainability in action.
To me, the circular economy is the bridge between progress and preservation. It shows us that we don’t need to radically tear down systems, but rather find smarter, more balanced ways to build sustainable futures, and inspire young people to become the leaders of that change.
WHAT HAS BEEN MOST CHALLENGING AND MOST REWARDING ABOUT THIS WORK?
The hardest part? Changing mindsets.
It’s challenging to convince people, especially in business, that purpose and profit can go hand in hand. The current economic system prioritizes cheap production and fast consumption, so when we come in with a circular, purpose-driven model, it often sounds idealistic.
But once people, especially producers and partners, start seeing that it works, it becomes incredibly rewarding. They realize they can create value, build a business, and help their communities all at once. That’s when it clicks. And for me, that’s the most fulfilling part of this journey.
CAN YOU GIVE AN EXAMPLE OF A CIRCULAR ECONOMIC MODEL THAT’S WORKED WELL?
Yes, aside from D.E.S.A itself, one great example is Potato Head in Bali.
It’s one of the most circular hotels in the world. They’ve built a closed-loop system where waste is recycled back into usable products, like cups and bottles, reducing their waste to just 3%. It’s a brilliant example of a business aligned with purpose, and it shows that circular models aren’t just theory, they can be scaled and profitable.
WHY IS CULTURAL DIVERSITY SO CENTRAL TO YOUR WORK?
Because we live in a globalized world, and real innovation comes from diversity, not just of culture, but of thought, background, and experience.
At D.E.S.A, we actively promote cultural exchange by pairing international volunteers with Balinese youth, so both groups learn from one another. It’s a mutual exchange of ideas, knowledge, and respect.
It’s also about learning to respect local customs, wherever you go. Whether I’m in Spain or someone is visiting Bali, there’s a shared responsibility to honor each other’s cultures. And when young people experience that early on, they’re better prepared to handle all kinds of diversity, not just cultural, but intellectual and generational too.
WHAT ARE YOUR PROFESSIONAL ASPIRATIONS FOR THE FUTURE?
I want to continue building enterprises that harmonize business and purpose. Right now, I’m focused on growing D.E.S.A and taking its model global. We say, “from Bali, for the world.”
Beyond that, I run a company called Naturkultur 3, which designs experiential learning programs for youth. My goal is to take students out of the classroom and into the real world to help them apply what they’ve learned, challenge their assumptions, and become changemakers in their own right.
WHAT ROLE DOES THE IE COMMUNITY PLAY IN YOUR JOURNEY?
For me, IE feels like family. Coming back to Madrid feels like coming home. I spent four transformative years here, built lasting friendships, and joined a network of people who are actually out there doing meaningful work. That network and that diversity is worth staying connected to.
I’m also incredibly grateful to IE for the scholarship I received. That support changed my life, and through my work, I see it as part of my mission to give back by driving projects that push sustainability and social impact forward.
WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR OTHER ALUMNI WHO WANT TO CREATE POSITIVE IMPACT?
I’m only 24, so I say this humbly: build a business with purpose.
If you’re going into entrepreneurship, which many alumni do, find a circular model that allows your business to give back to the community. It doesn’t have to be charity. You can, and should, make money while solving real problems. That’s what sustainability looks like in practice.
Also, don’t overthink it. Find your purpose, explore what you're good at, and just get started. You’ve got a global community behind you.
WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO CURRENT IE STUDENTS, ESPECIALLY SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS?
Enjoy it but be responsible!
University really is one of the best times of your life. Dive into your coursework, engage with your professors, and take part in the clubs and community. I was involved in the arts society and music club, and those experiences helped me grow so much, both as a person and as a professional.
Also, get to know both Madrid and Segovia, both have so much to offer. Build friendships, stay curious, and make the most of every opportunity.
LOOKING BACK, HOW ARE YOU DIFFERENT TODAY FROM THE GEDE WHO FIRST STARTED AT IE?
I’ve definitely grown, I’d say I’m more mature now. I started as a skinny first-year student, wide-eyed and full of questions.
Today, I’ve built businesses, led projects, and worked with amazing people. But at the core, I’m still that same curious, passionate person, just a bit more grounded now.