What did you do before WesselinkVanZijst?

I've had many different roles: from specialized advisor to civil servant to elected representative to alderman. But my foundation is in biology. My fascination with the connections, dependencies, and interactions between plants, animals, and their environment led to a specialization in landscape ecology.

In the work that followed, my interest in the interaction between organizations also grew. In Overijssel, for example, I worked a lot on area processes, fauna management, and among the 12 provinces. The issues in rural areas are large and diverse, with nitrogen in the air, all sorts of functions on the ground, and water in the ground. But I was also fascinated by how and when you work together with the 12 provinces. Which interests do you share, and which not? When is cooperation still effective and efficient, and when is it better to solve it alone? There was much to discuss regarding the decentralization of nature policy to the provinces. And in the meantime, the wolf entered the Netherlands. Food for polarization.

Subsequently, as an urban ecologist and later as a strategic advisor to municipalities, I focused on the intersection of various policy areas. Think of the energy transition, housing construction, nature, and inter-organizational collaboration. I found it very interesting to unravel and clarify who has what interests, why we are collaborating, and what we are working towards. The complexity only made it more enjoyable for me.

In Leusden, I was meanwhile elected in the municipal council elections. As a representative, you talk a lot about your positions. But to reach common ground, make better decisions, or write an initiative note, you need to know the interests and the norms and values of the other person.

When I was appointed alderman, I found myself on different chessboards: within the College of Mayor and Aldermen, in the region, province, water board, and national government. In addition to the municipal council, I worked with residents, organizations, and businesses in the municipality. I dealt with issues concerning wind energy, housing construction, and the social domain. My love for politics grew, especially the importance of balanced decision-making for the community, ensuring all interests were heard.

What do you mainly focus on at WesselinkVanZijst?

I feel very much at home with collaborations and in the ‘physical domain,’ as governments often call it. Think of water management, spatial integration of infrastructure, nature, and agriculture. My experience with the various roles I played for my work at WesselinkVanZijst allows me to easily bridge different functions. I enjoy working as a process facilitator or when developing and executing strategic lines in relation to the environment.

For me, the Mutual Gains Approach has always been the starting point. For me, that has two sides: taking good care of your own interests and having the confidence that by considering other interests, added value is created. For yourself too.

I often work closely with or as part of administrative decision-making. In decision-making, it's important to know what interests are involved, what arguments and caveats exist. For instance, I accompanied, together with Marc Wesselink, the negotiation of the Voordelta nature compensation. For Vitens, I work as a board representative: on behalf of the Board of Directors, I sat at board-level tables. For other projects, I also act as a process facilitator or community manager.  

Additionally, I give trainings, both the SSE Basic Training as training sessions where we translate the Mutual Gains philosophy into work practice: how to work with a focus on the environment.

What drives you in your work?

I'm convinced that by considering all interests and taking all issues into account when making your decisions, you'll make better choices. For this, you need a careful process. Furthermore, I believe good public decision-making is very important. Not just for the subject matter. But because for me, good public decision-making starts with a thorough weighing of interests, transparency about that, and ensuring the decision serves society as a whole. With a thorough consideration, people will feel more heard and understand why a choice was made.

What do you like to do most when you're not at work?

On my 17^th I had such a desire for mountains and a new environment that I spent a year in Norway. The Utrechtse Heuvelrug may not be comparable in height and vastness, but it offers me wonder, peace, movement, and good conversations. I enjoy being there, or in another nature reserve. Once a year, I try to swim as far as possible in almost 3.5 hours, for which I train all year round.

Additionally, I have many good conversations with my teenagers and husband at home about the colors blue and green, geopolitics, and random trivia. And finally, a tip: don't call when there's an opportunity to go sledding or ice skating (on natural ice): I won't pick up then.