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 the 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.

Working on the adaptation puzzle presented I enjoy advising on the 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.

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.

As a facilitator, I love bringing practitioners 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 for my thesis research, I am mesmerized by the ability of facilitation as tool to bring individuals and communities closer in challenging circumstances.

Thematic focus Themes close to my heart are organisational development and ways of working, conflict transformation, (post-conflict) peacebuilding, community building, adaptive leadership, gender-responsive governance 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 I like to explore unknown worlds and be active and outdoors. Whether it is dancing salsa, kickboxing, or enjoying cultural performances: I tend to say yes to things I haven’t tried before. Of course, as a true Dutchie, I also cannot imagine a life without my bicycle. Since I live next to the sea, you can find me with a book (preferably something on politics or history) on the beach when I am in my hometown The Hague.

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