I have worked in diverse roles within DSM-Firmenich (formerly Royal DSM), ranging from creating life cycle analyses (LCA) to serving as the Director of Procurement, and from being the Secretary of the Supervisory Board of DSM Netherlands to the Corporate Secretary of the Board of Directors. This broad foundation has facilitated my development into a Public Affairs professional over the past 10 years. Sustainability has been the common thread throughout my career.

A selection of the topics and experience in the Netherlands and Brussels (EU)

• Importance of Public Affairs for business. Successfully launched innovative products in the market by convincing politicians, in collaboration with R&D and marketing, and creating societal support.
• Creating impact with Thought Leadership for executives, for example on topics sucg as preventing malnutrition and the necessary food system transformation.
• Issue management for global, strategic themes; by determining positions based on public opinion, crafting position papers, and defining communication strategies.
• Workshops on prioritization, stakeholder management and key messaging.
• Representing interests in a wide array of associations and coalitions. 
• Public/private partnership at Chemelot / Brightlands Chemelot Campus
• Program manager External Affairs with the aim of professionalizing and strengthening the collaboration between Public Affairs and Communications 

In 2022/23 I was head of Public Affairs at Delft University of Technology. Each day I was surprised by the diversity of scientists and topics. It is both important and challenging to ensure that this scientific knowledge is shared in an understandable manner. I strongly believe that this contributes significantly to better, long-term policies and a political perspective for the future.