Growing up in the Netherlands, I began my career supporting older people and their families in mental health and social care. That work sparked a lifelong curiosity about people, relationships and what helps us navigate complexity and change.

The journey took me to the United States, where I worked on an international project focused on dementia care assessment, quality and regulatory compliance. Along the way, I studied Business Management and Communication and later trained as an Art Psychotherapist.

What fascinated me most was not simply what people said, but how they made sense of their experiences. I became interested in the power of images, metaphors, models and storytelling to help people express ideas that can be difficult to put into words, creating opportunities for every voice to be heard, regardless of confidence, role or communication style.

After moving to the UK, I stepped into leadership, governance, risk and assurance roles. At first glance, it might seem like a very different world. Yet the same pattern kept emerging.

Whether I was supporting an individual, a team or an organisation, the greatest value was never in providing answers. It was in helping people pause, see things differently, make connections and discover their own way forward.