Hilversum, North Holland, Netherlands
Over the past ten years I've worked to help others thrive: students exploring their creative potential, teachers navigating change, and organizations building bridges between education, creativity, and technology. With a background in media education, immersive design, and creative technology, I've helped develop programs, labs, and ecosystems that create room for experimentation and support emerging talent. Today I serve in several roles as head of innovation and research, program director, and board advisor, supporting the development of immersive, AI‑informed, and creator‑centric learning environments. My focus is connection: between people, sectors, systems, and stories. I don't have all the answers, but I do know how to create the conditions for others to find theirs. If that resonates, let's connect.
Responsible for the strategic leadership and further development of innovation and practice-based research within Mediacollege Amsterdam (MA). Positions innovation as a structural foundation for future-proof vocational education, closely connected to education, professional development, and industry. Key responsibilities and focus: • Developing and executing MA’s innovation and research agenda, in close alignment with the Executive Board and education management. • Leading and connecting an integrated innovation portfolio, including practorates, labs, lifelong learning initiatives and thematic programs (including AI). • Organising innovation as a cyclical process: scouting, researching, experimenting, scaling and embedding innovations within the line organisation. • Strengthening collaboration with peer secondaryvocational schools, leading companies, industry experts, public authorities and national networks. • Translating external developments (technology, policy, labour market) into educational innovation and curriculum development. • Enabling project and programme management, with a strong focus on ownership, quality and sustainable embedding. • Positioning MA as an innovative vocational institution within regional and national innovation ecosystems. Outcome: Greater coherence, scale and strategic impact of innovation and research, with tangible results in education, professional development and external positioning.
OASIS is a dynamic collaboration between six leading technical-creative vocational schools and prominent media companies in the Netherlands, focused on training specialists in immersive solutions. Operating from Mediacollege Amsterdam, the lead institution in this Regional Investment Fund (RIF) initiative, I steer the execution of this program and safeguard its strategic direction. • Program Management & Execution: Overseeing the overall management and implementation of the program, ensuring that various project lines are well-coordinated and goals are achieved within set timelines and budgets. • Strategic Partnerships: Actively maintaining and expanding relationships with educational institutions, businesses, knowledge partners, and governmental bodies to strengthen strategic collaborations and unlock new opportunities. • Facilitating Decision-Making: Supporting informed decision-making processes within the steering committee and management teams, ensuring strategic choices are well-prepared and effectively executed. • Monitoring & Evaluation: Holding ultimate responsibility for tracking and evaluating the program’s progress, ensuring coherence across all initiatives, and driving continuous improvement. By fostering innovation in immersive technologies and bridging the gap between education and industry, OASIS aims to empower the next generation of creative technology specialists.
The Advisory Council operates as an independent sounding board for CIIIC, connecting the program team with the diverse field of immersive makers, researchers, and organizations. As Chair of the Advisory Council, I: • Lead the council, steering towards result-oriented advice that truly benefits the maker ecosystem; • Ensure an inclusive and productive process, safeguarding that all diverse voices within the council are heard and expertise is maximized; • Coordinate the strategic agenda while maintaining the council's independent mandate.
The CIIIC program, supported by the Dutch National Growth Fund, aims to strengthen the societal and economical impact of immersive technologies (XR, VR, AR, interactive storytelling, and more) across sectors such as media, education, healthcare, and culture. As a member of the advisory board, I: • Provide strategic input and guidance on the direction of the CIIIC program, ensuring alignment with sector needs and developments; • Serve as a connector between the immersive ecosystem and the program’s leadership; • Help shape the innovation agenda for immersive experiences in the Netherlands; • Bring in expertise from my role as Program Director of OASIS to create synergy between education, industry, and research; • Contribute to a national movement that empowers creators, educators, and institutions to explore the full potential of immersive media.
Stichting Bekijk 't is a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering young people through creative, educational, and cultural projects. By fostering personal development and encouraging active participation in society, Bekijk 't uses art, media, and storytelling as tools for social engagement and growth. The foundation collaborates with schools, communities, and cultural institutions to create meaningful programs that inspire and connect diverse groups. • Provide strategic oversight and governance, ensuring alignment with the foundation’s mission to empower young people through creative projects and education. • Advise the management team on organizational strategy, project development, and stakeholder engagement. • Act as an ambassador for the foundation, building relationships with external stakeholders and representing the organization in relevant networks. • Participate in regular board meetings, contributing to policy development and long-term planning, while ensuring transparency and accountability.
The program committee connects a wide representation of researchers and entrepreneurs from the creative industry to CLICKNL with the aim of providing CLICKNL with substantive advice on the (further) development of its strategic agendas and programs, to critically reflect on them internally, and to act as an external ambassador for the program. The program committee plays an advisory role in the (further) development of CLICKNL's strategic agendas and programs by: • Advising the CLICKNL board on relevant strategic themes within their field, including providing input for agendas and programs. • Advising the CLICKNL board on the suitability of program and project initiatives within the agendas. • Assisting staff and the board of CLICKNL upon request with complementary policies (e.g., Human Capital Agenda, communication, SME involvement, prerequisites, international) and the development of new programs and projects. Through its program committee members, CLICKNL has access to a broad and diverse network, enhancing its reach and impact. In this capacity: • Members act as ambassadors for CLICKNL within their networks, promoting its mission, vision, core values, and objectives, for example by reposting relevant LinkedIn posts. • Members consult their own supporters when relevant topics arise. • CLICKNL supports members in fulfilling this role effectively, providing content such as posts and slides when needed.