A thought that sparks my imagination? “If they don’t give you a seat at the table, bring a folding chair.” This advice gets me re-energized every single time to ensure all voices - and not only the dominant and often included ones - are being heard in any adaptation process.
Since graduating as a conflict analyst with a focus on the MENA region, I have been working in the social impact field to facilitate and guide change and development programs around the world. I have been doing so as an independent project and program manager, facilitator and advisor since 2022.
Being able to adapt to changing circumstances and disruptions, and continue to deliver the results you as an organization set out to, is a challenge many face. Especially when working in an international context on the most pressing issues of our time. That realization proved the inspiration for “The Adaptation Company”.
Adaptation as the common thread I enjoy diving into a puzzle that is presented on an organisational, project or programmatic level. What is the exact challenge? What needs to be achieved? Who needs to be on board? What steps need to be taken to get there? Tackling the challenge step by step has proven a useful recipe, and as a true generalist I bring in ideas from various parts of life.
One of the ingredients is my project management experience. Organizing, planning and forecasting are my middle names, I often jokingly say, so count me in on anything related to managing and coordinating these processes in an adaptive way.
Let’s add the facilitation ingredient. It’s magical to bring professionals together for interactive and participatory (online and in-person) sessions so they can tackle the issues they face by making use of the collective knowledge of the group. Ever since seeing facilitators guide important but often tense conversations during post-conflict peacebuilding and reconciliation initiatives in Lebanon, I am mesmerized by the power of facilitation.
The third ingredient is that of thinking along and advising on adaptive ways of working and community building. Both essential elements to improve ones adaptiveness and enable teams to get meaningful work done.
Thematic focus Themes I have worked on that are close to my heart are peacebuilding, conflict transformation, adaptive leadership, climate justice, gender-responsive governance, integrity promotion and youth participation in policymaking.
As for languages, I am comfortable working in English and Dutch. Having a conversation in French and German is also an option, but I must confess that my Arabic is very rusty at the moment.
My life beyond work An avid reader, an explorer of remote regions on our planet, a salsa dancer and a host of gatherings to bring people with a story together - that's me in a nutshell outside of work.
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