I'm the current President/CEO of the Joint Learning Initiative (JLI) on Faith and Local Communities. At JLI, I’m leading the organization through a period of strategic transformation, with a focus on making a meaningful impact during this time of change.
Previously, I worked with Church World Service (CWS), where I advised people on the organization’s efforts to address major global challenges, like the Sustainable Development Goals and climate change. I also had the opportunity to represent CWS at the United Nations.
Before coming to the US, I was working for CWS in Indonesia/Timor-Leste. We did some meaningful work after the natural disasters in 2004 & 2005. I originally come from the Netherlands and received my Master's degree in cultural anthropology from the University of Leyden.
In 2011, I began a personal tradition of walking 100 miles each year to raise awareness and funds to end hunger, poverty, and injustice. Then, in 2020, I launched my podcast, "Walk Talk Listen” to connect with people, chat and share stories around connection, sustainable development and meaningful change.
Though I’m still new to JLI, I’ve been deeply inspired by our mission to bridge religion and science. In a world facing climate urgency, conflict, and social unrest, this work feels more vital than ever. As I look ahead to the impact we’ll have for generations to come, I hope JLI will be remembered as a force for transformative change. The way we challenge power asymmetries, champion equitable practices, and facilitate meaningful dialogues between diverse stakeholders epitomizes the synthesis of knowledge and action.
I've called the US East Coast home for more than 15 years now. I enjoy the deer, groundhogs, squirrels and foxes who visit us almost on a daily basis. Outside of work, I enjoy long walks in nature, playing the drums and ukulele, reading, watching soccer, and spending time with my children who live around the world. Drop me an email below, I would love to hear from you!
