What did you do before you came to WesselinkVanZijst?

After studying history and completing an internship at the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), I have spent the past twenty years working in various communication disciplines. From spokesperson for the Red Cross, editor for Nieuwsuur, to strategic advisor at a consultancy firm and communications manager at HIVOS, a Dutch NGO.

In my first job as a communications advisor at Triodos Bank, I learned that an organization never exists in isolation. It always acts in relation to its environment and is responsible for it. This insight remained the common thread throughout my career: connecting organizations and people with societal issues, and seeking shared values and interests that enable collaboration.

In the years before WesselinkVanZijst, I worked as a senior strategic communication advisor for Wepublic on relevant, current societal issues. These projects took place in very different sectors, such as healthcare, education, the energy sector, government, and the private sector.

What do you mainly focus on at WesselinkVanZijst?

I'm new to WesselinkVanZijst, starting in January 2026! I'm looking forward to assignments as a strategic environmental management advisor, process facilitator, discussion leader, or mediator. My experience in corporate communication and positioning, issue management, media relations, stakeholder dynamics, and mediation, among other things, provides a strong foundation for bringing calm and direction to complex environments.

What drives you in your work?

I hope that my work can set something in motion; foster understanding, and create new insights and more attention for the stories of others. If I succeed in that, my work will be successful. Especially in a time when it sometimes seems as though we are growing further apart from each other and judging more quickly, attention to the interests of others can be very valuable.

During my mediator training, I was inspired by the Mutual Gains approach and the potential this philosophy holds for resolving complex societal issues. It's a great addition to my experience in strategic communication; a way to open stalled conversations and smooth out transitions. It aligns well with my driving force: creating space for dialogue, mutual understanding, and solutions that are supported by all stakeholders.

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

Then I love spending time with everyone I care about: my family, husband, children, and friends. This often includes cozy evenings with good food. But I also relax by being active, such as running, walking, and playing tennis, or by being at the beach, reading books, and going to the theater.