Playmaker, people facilitator, combining business development with innovation and design for a better built environment. Speaker, boardee, swiss knife.
I’m leading the Active House Alliance, a global NGO of industry professionals and stakeholders pushing for sustainable, healthy and affordable buildings with a user-centric focus.
What inspired you to work in the international association sector?
I am a passionate believer in associations as value-based community that helps us define, develop and drive our common interests, for the benefit of the most, with a lasting effect.
As a career it takes patience, long-term endurance and passion, and I strongly recommend it. Bring solid experience from any relevant sector, combined with leadership competences.
Can you remember a time when you needed to #BreakTheBias?
Early career as architect, working amongst only men, I had to conquer the right to work on computer outside working hours. According to the office owner, ‘computer drawing was only for men. I taught myself the programme on weekends, and presented the owner with the result; he sighed and allowed me to continue.
#BreakTheBias with grace and stamina. Insist. This has worked for me and I encourage my mentees and protegés to always believe you can do it even if this is your first time. In the words of Pippi Longstocking: “I have never tried that before, so I think I should definitely be able to do that.”
How important are diversity, equity, and inclusion for the future success of associations?
Extremely important, or we will not be able to welcome Generations Y & Z. I try my utmost to improve DEI, however struggling in the building industry which is very male dominated, and a very slow moving sector (conservative would be a more polite term). We need more role models, and icebreakers but also quota with sanctions!