Elle Harvey

Elle Harvey – Lessons on Entrepreneurship and Education Innovation

Elle Harvey is the Founder of A New Leaf Nature School, an outdoor education institution focused on nature, emerging curricula, and learning through project work. Since opening the first summer camp in 2005, she has built A New Leaf into a model for holistic, nature-based learning. Elle has experience in ecology, curriculum development, and early childhood education. She emphasizes co-research and integration of environmental science, languages, and social-emotional growth in her pedagogical leadership.

Here's a Glimpse of What You'll Learn

[1:26] Elle Harvey’s transition from a career in biology to founding a preschool before leaving academia
[7:25] How Elle blends Reggio Emilia principles with Scandinavian outdoor education practices
[10:29] Elle talks about her early entrepreneurial setbacks and how passion and resilience helped her refine her mission
[17:57] The value of mentorship and why Elle joined Catalyst to strengthen her leadership skills
[23:20] Lessons from Catalyst on balancing relationships with business demands
[28:57] Elle’s long-term vision to expand A New Leaf Nature School’s impact

In This Episode

Entrepreneurship often begins with a spark of curiosity and the courage to break from a predictable path. It challenges us to see opportunities where others see uncertainties and to persevere when the journey becomes difficult. What does it take to turn a passion for education and the natural world into a thriving, long-term venture?

As a seasoned biologist with decades of research experience, Elle Harvey transformed her career when motherhood reshaped her vision of learning. Moving from the lab to early childhood education, she discovered a calling in immersive, inquiry-driven teaching that blends outdoor exploration with academic rigor. Elle faced zoning restrictions, location changes, and the challenge of growing a school from her backyard while staying true to her ideals. She advises entrepreneurs to trust their passion, keep innovating, and believe that solutions will emerge even when obstacles feel insurmountable.

In this episode of The Decision, Robert Hartline chats with Elle Harvey, Founder of A New Leaf Nature School, about the lessons she learned transitioning from science to education. Elle discusses the origins of nature-based learning, the importance of an emergent curriculum, and how joining EO’s Catalyst program transformed her leadership and business strategy.

Quotable Moments:

“Entrepreneurship is passion and innovation and the ability to risk it all and just keep going.”
“It’s not because we spend a lot of time outdoors that we don’t care about academics.”
“I didn’t even know what a KPI was until Catalyst, so now I know what to measure.”
“To bring education back to Earth is our mission, because we are nature’s school.”
“With computers and AI, kids still need large amounts of hands-on experience to know physically.”

Action Steps:

Embrace an emergent curriculum: Observing children’s interests and building lessons around them creates meaningful learning and sustained engagement. This approach helps students connect academics to real-life experiences and nurtures curiosity-driven education.
Blend outdoor exploration with academic rigor: Integrating nature-based projects with math, science, and language skills deepens understanding and strengthens critical thinking. Hands-on experiences build resilience and provide context that traditional classrooms often miss.
Seek mentorship and entrepreneurial communities: Joining networks like EO Catalyst provides guidance, fresh perspectives, and practical business strategies. Learning from peers helps entrepreneurs overcome obstacles and refine their leadership approach.
Clarify and communicate your mission: A concise, inspiring mission ensures everyone in your organization understands and aligns with its purpose. Clear messaging builds stronger team cohesion and attracts families and partners who share your values.
Delegate and build strong leadership teams: Hiring capable directors or managers allows you to focus on growth and strategic planning. Empowering others strengthens organizational stability and enables long-term expansion without founder burnout.