2008
I join Stipo in May. I get to know Stipo in late 2006 in Zaanstad when we call them in for the Social Vision of Inverdan New West project. I find the Stipo philosophy very inspiring; start with the good things that are already in place, look for new opportunities and don't get corseted by too many restrictions, dare to dream. Free your mind! I'm sold...
2007
The year starts with my move from Utrecht to Amsterdam. I clearly remember walking to the railway station in Utrecht in the spring of 2006, and suddenly realising that I had to start looking for a house in Amsterdam. No sooner said than done. It frequently dawns on me how happy the decision has made me. I feel good in Amsterdam.
2004
I pick up my first working experience with the municipal authorities of Nijmegen and Zaanstad. For Nijmegen, I worked on a short project: "Pride of the Neighbourhood". In Zaanstad, I spent four years on process management for the Inverdan centre project.
2003
I had a great time graduating. In my dissertation, I wanted to try and discover the identity of space. We all know that Rotterdam feels different from Amsterdam and that not all areas are the same, even when the profiles of the local populations are comparable. I really enjoyed combining theories, trying to make them applicable and testing them in practice. I'm also proud of the result...
1997
I start further education in September: planology in Utrecht. I wanted to be a fashion designer, a mesologist (a profession combining regular and alternative therapies) or a planner. I sometimes have to smile myself when I think about these widely varying ambitions. On the other hand, the creative and caring sides are part of my character.
1990 - 1997
Secondary school. The pull of the city. Even then. It's incredible how much I wanted to get away and be 'free'. I can really appreciate the calm, green nature of my birthplace these days but the city is where I wanted to go, and where I want to be now.
1978
I was born on 16 August 1978 in the country town of Lochem in the east of the Netherlands. I spent the first 18 years of my life there.