What did you do before you came to WesselinkVanZijst?

Before joining WesselinkVanZijst, I studied Political Science (BSc) with a focus on Public Policy & Governance and Business Administration (MSc) with an emphasis on Strategic Management. During my studies, I was particularly fascinated by the question of how public ambitions and policy choices translate into concrete organizational and economic realities. How are strategic decisions actually made? And what happens when different interests – political, social, and financial – converge? That interplay between policy, market, and organization has always captivated me.

During my work experience in consulting and in the financial and legal sectors, I learned the importance of structure, precision, and decisiveness in complex environments. At PwC, I worked on programs where strategy, execution, and stakeholder management came together. In the financial sector, I saw firsthand how governance, risk management, and economic considerations shape the scope for strategic choices. What particularly appealed to me in this regard was the moment when analysis transitions into decision-making: when figures, interests, and vision converge and need to be directed.

The combination of policy sensitivity, business analysis, and practical feasibility has ultimately led me to WesselinkVanZijst. Here, I can work on issues where societal transitions, strategic ambitions, and organizational reality intersect. It is precisely this complexity—and the challenge of creating clarity and perspective for action within it—that motivates me in my work.

What do you mainly focus on at WesselinkVanZijst?

Organizations operate in an increasingly complex playing field, where scarcity, societal expectations, and pressure around stakeholder engagement play a major role. In my work, I help organizations find direction within that tension. I do this not only by conducting analyses, but primarily by formulating sharp choices together with boards and management teams: where do we stand, what is our ambition, and what does that concretely mean for our strategy and organization?

This is how I was closely involved in vision and strategy processes at, among others, Groningen Seaports and the Port of Rotterdam. There, I conducted in-depth stakeholder analyses and translated them into strategic scenarios and action perspectives for management and the executive board. In various assignments, I worked on preparing strategic decision-making. But also on organizing dialogue with governments, companies, and societal stakeholders. My role often consisted of structuring complex information, designing strategies and processes, and facilitating discussions where diverse interests converged.

What I've learned in these assignments is that stakeholder engagement is never an isolated activity. It touches on governance, leadership, culture, and internal decision-making. A strategy only works when it is organizationally embedded. That's why I don't just look at external relationships, but also at how an organization is structured internally to act consistently and in line with its environment. It is precisely in that connection between analysis and feasible strategy that the core of the profession lies for me.

What drives you in your work?

What drives me in my work is helping organizations bring direction and clarity to complex situations. I get a lot of energy from the moment when a vague issue – with diverse interests, uncertainties, and external pressure – is reduced to a clear strategic dilemma that requires choices to be made. The intersection of strategy, organizational science, and stakeholder management appeals to me particularly.

I also find it interesting to explore where tension arises between ambition and feasibility. For me, strategy isn't a document, but a coherent set of choices that must fit the organization and its environment. This requires analytical sharpness, but also a sense for decision-making and collaboration. It is precisely this combination that motivates me daily.

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

In my free time, I enjoy traveling to discover new cities and cultures. During the day, I visit museums or admire impressive architecture, and in the evening, I head to a good restaurant or cocktail bar. I'm also passionate about sports. I run for discipline and ski for the sense of freedom it provides.