But in less professional words you could say I’m a relentless explorer with an associative brain on steroids that makes me absolutely terrible at staying in my lane.
Think of me as the horse in a chess game.
‘That’s the one who can jump places, right?’
– Exactly!
I tend to come up with unconventional routes or break the norm, connecting ideas and people in unexpected and impactful ways.
– I prefer calling myself a unicorn.
Because why would you be a normal horse when
you can be a unicorn? (Minus the sparkles
though; that stuff gets everywhere)
‘I don’t know, I quite like sparkles…’
Anyway, if you prefer a more professional description:
You could say that my work is about transforming insights into action while fostering meaningful change.
My professional journey
- For the past 15 years, I’ve worked in strategic and executive roles within the cultural and creative sector, either freelancing or employed
- In those years I have worked and collaborated with (inter)national artists, managing live tours, public relations, marketing, developing creative concepts, and (writing) content
- Alongside these endeavors, I founded Get Your Act Together, a place from which I produced masterclasses, workshops and coached professionals, amateurs in and outside of schools/universities in the cultural sector
- Over the past 6 years, I’ve expanded my educational and coaching practices by obtaining a Didactical and Pedagogical certificate and becoming a teacher and educational design expert at the Herman Brood Academie
- In my time not spent working for clients, I pursued artistic projects, such as producing a sustainable asymmetrical surfboard for women and publishing a bilingual children’s book. Currently, I’m writing a YA fantasy novel in Dutch and a literary novel in English.
‘At the same time? How? Why?
Isn’t tha–, I’ve got so many questions’
– Haha. I understand how that might sound.
But once I stopped forcing productivity and let go of expectations, I started following my curiosity and found joy in the process of doing.
‘That’s actually pretty cool. I’ve never looked at it that way. But I feel like you’re going astray here, wasn’t this page work-related?
– Right. Thanks for redirecting me.
How about I tell you exactly what I do?
How I make an impact
Brand strategy & Creative writing
- I take my time uncovering and articulating a brand or person’s story, style, and audience while ensuring alignment with their values and the desired response.
- My approach empowers individuals and teams to become self-sufficient in execution, effectively making myself obsolete
- I focus on turning abstract ideas into actionable plans that balance ambition and practical implementation
Educational design & Consultation
- I design tailored training programs that inspire and engage professionals and amateurs, combining play and implicit learning
- I help organizations develop educational frameworks and policies that align with Life Long Learning and current/future trends
- By bridging research, pedagogy, and practice, I support teams in developing innovative curricula and effective learning strategies
Masterclasses, Panel moderating & Inspirational talks
- I lead dynamic and playful sessions that educate, inspire, and challenge individuals to think differently, unlock their potential and drive positive change
- My talks and workshops offer actionable insights into creativity, learning, project management, and personal growth, leaving participants energized and motivated
Product Innovation & Implementation
- I excel in the pre-development phase of innovation—discovering, refining, and validating concepts that solve real-world challenges
- In identifying opportunities for innovation within existing systems, I am focused on enabling growth and adaptability
- I co-create unique solutions that work from the bottom up and deliver impact while collaborating with teams and stakeholders
If you felt like that list was (co-)written by a language model, you are right.
I know what I’m good at, but the way I work has never matched the confinements of a specific type of corporate framework, branch, or consistent career path. So, I asked for help in decoding my journey and outcomes, turning my mix-and-mash into a clear and structured overview of skills.
‘Okay, so you outsourced a weakness.
That’s smart and efficient‘.
– I know, right?
‘Who did you work for by the way,
any of them I’d know?
– Hmm. You want some good old name-dropping.
I guess that’s inevitable at some point.
Let’s have at it.
Who I worked for/worked with
Organizations
Apollo Health Hub, Hit the North (ESNS), PopGroningen/PopFriesland, De Nieuwe Oost, Popunie Rotterdam, GRAP Amsterdam, Gemeente Den Haag, Eurosonic Noorderslag, De Coöperatie, TEDxYouth, Lieuwe Boards, Rosedale Records, Stichting ViB, Kaiser Management, The Guestlist Network (UK), Popronde and more…
Artists
Wende, The Vices, Typhoon, Never Been to Berlin, Chef’Special, Dotan, Jack Parow (SA), Crystal Fighters (UK), Giovanca, Laura Jansen, SOHN (UK), Sue The Night, The Brahms and more…
Educational institutions
Herman Brood Academie, Nederlandse Popacademie, Hogeschool voor de Kunsten, Grafisch Lyceum Rotterdam, Conservatorium Haarlem, Rockcity Eindhoven, Fontys Hogeschool and more…
‘Oh wow, Typhoon?! That’s so cool.
You know, I once saw him play live at
this outdoor theatre in the woods.
It was a while back but I love his music and
he is such a cool and down-to-earth person
and also, Chef’Special? I heard them on
the radio the oth–
– Okay. I’m going to stop you right there.
Most of these clients and projects look awesome from the outside. And from the inside, they are too. But they’re also just jobs and regular people. People like me, who had to learn how to balance passionate work and ordinary day-to-day stuff the hard way.
We figured out that first there is life, and then there is work.
I learned a lot of other things along the way too.
About why I do what I do, and about how I want to do it.
Turns out, I’m not just my skills (or the names I worked for), I’m a crafty package deal.
My package deal
Working with me means you get these things for free:
- Empathy-based focus (trauma-informed, accessible, durable)
- Collaboration over competition (co-creation, exchanges, assistance)
- Responsible innovation (leave the world a better place)
- Stairs over escalators (you’re only as good as your health)
- Play and risk-taking (never stop playing)
- A woman’s passion and emotional intelligence (menstrual cycle included)
- A mom and wife’s compassion and devotion (unpaid home labour and family mental load included)
‘Sooo… no sparkles?’
– You’re still on that?!
I don’t wan–, well… we’ll see, okay? Mayb–
‘Hey, team! She’s bringing sparkles!’
– That’s not what I sai–ugh.
Never mind.
I’ll bring sparkles.
Now, sparkles, horses, all jokes aside;
if you made it this far then I think you caught my drift.
I’m always open to new ideas, new projects, and
new cool people to share my thoughts with.
So if you feel like you could use someone that
fits into one of the following labels, let me know!
- Creative Strategist
- Brand Consultant
- Creative Director
- Innovation Catalyst
- Organizational Development Consultant
- Implementation Consultant
- Education Advisor
- Change Maker
- Copywriter
‘Do you really think a job will come to you like this?’
– Can I tell you a secret?
I’ve never gotten a job through replying to a vacancy–ever.
But I’ve always had incredible work and projects.
That’s unicorn magic.
‘Ha! Right! And my dad’s Santa Claus.’
– So he’s into animals with horns too! Small world.
What I’m currently doing
Writer @ Stroobos Uitgeverij
Teacher, Study Career Coach & Educational Design @ Herman Brood Academie
Initiator & Creative Director @ The E-XCHANGE (live online masterclasses)
Advisor @ Performing Arts Fund / Fonds Podiumkunsten
Artist Coach & Brand Strategist Djoeke @ Hit the North
Public Speaker, Strategist & Consultant @ Get Your Act Together
Board Secretary @ Reasonable Doubt Foundation
Links to what I have been doing
Release of ‘Siggy wants to Surf‘ (Bilingual children’s book) / 2023
Never Been to Berlin / Artist Coach & Brand Strategist @ Hit the North / 2023
Gedenkboek Scheveningen / Initiator & Project Manager / 2020
The Vices / Branding Strategy & Concepts / 2020
Hit The North / Marketing Masterclass / 2019 & 2020
Klap van de Molen Podcast / Regular co-host / 2019 & 2020
VMGMSGM.nl / Initiator & Project Manager / 2019
New Feminine Exposition / Opening Speaker / 2019
Typhoon / Tour Manager & Branding / 2016-2019
Stagemanagement Masterclass / Project Manager / 2018
Leaf Me Alone (3rd place O’Neill Shape Off Contest) / Surfboard Shaper / 2017