What did you do before you came to WesselinkVanZijst?

At the University of Amsterdam and Radboud University, I studied conflict studies. During that period, I conducted extensive research in Latin America. For example, in Peru, I researched the power dynamics between volunteer tourists and Peruvians. In Guatemala, for the NIMD Research into the reasons for the success or failure of dialogue processes in mining conflicts. These experiences have taught me a lot about the positive impact that dialogue processes can have, but also about the pitfalls of these processes and the risks of negative impact when good process management is lacking.

During my studies, I gave workshops on diversity, nonviolent communication, and collaboration. I did this with, among others, MBO students and in asylum seeker centers. After my studies, I taught for several years and supervised theses at the University of Amsterdam in Political Science. I have always enjoyed teaching and working with groups. Fortunately, I find ample opportunity for that at WesselinkVanZijst.

What do you mainly focus on at WesselinkVanZijst?

As a trainer, I teach people about MGA negotiation and SOM. I can draw on my own experience because I work in various sectors as a consultant and facilitator. Examples include the energy sector, real estate, and infrastructure. I am an experienced facilitator and am well-versed in the practice of project development and execution.

I have also helped organizations to firmly anchor environmental-focused work within the organization. At WesselinkVanZijst, I had a leading role in developing the SOM SEP Organizational Scan©, an instrument through which we measure the extent to which environmental-focused work is secured as an organizational competence within an organization. This instrument is now widely used in our consulting work and forms a good basis for change management trajectories or programs to make organizations more environmentally focused. An example of this is My work at Gasunie.

As Head of Knowledge Development, I organize, among other things, our annual internal knowledge marathon – a two-day event in the heath where we put aside our work and dedicate our full attention to publications or other products with which we want to advance our field. I am an active member of the MGA Network and the CBI Global Network, where professionals who are involved in consensus-based stakeholder management in various ways meet, learn from each other, and help develop our profession further.

What drives you in your work?

I have a natural inclination to resolve misunderstandings between parties and to bring harmony to disharmonious situations. In short, I enjoy bringing people closer together. In principle, I always assume good intentions from the different parties. It helps that I am not quick to judge people or their viewpoints. At WesselinkVanZijst, I've found a unique place where I am allowed to do precisely that, where I am given ample room to think about our field, and where I can share knowledge with colleagues in training sessions. It doesn't get any better than this!

What do you like to do most when you're not at work?

I play a lot with Duplo and am often found in the playground. That's the fate of a father with young children. But fortunately, I still have some time left to play the piano and garden. In the car or on my bike, I enjoy listening to political podcasts. Finally, as a neighborhood mediator, I occasionally try to help my quarreling fellow citizens in Utrecht to start talking to each other again.