Testimonials
As Director of WCDI (Wageningen Centre for Development Innovation) I worked with Irene for four years when she was our strategic communication advisor . Irene knows how to bring brainstorm sessions down to the essentials of strategizing . She is very efficient and organized and with her soft skills she keeps everyone on board. Irene has a special interest and knowledge in the field of international collaboration which was particularly an added value for the mission of WCDI as research institute.
Irene has the unique capacity to translate technical and expert language into inspiring stories for a broader public. Irene is also a loyal pleasant and committed colleague that walks the extra mile with you. In short I can highly recommend Irene.
Hedwig Bruggeman
Director Wageningen Centre for Development Innovation
Make no mistake about your first impression of Irene: behind that calm appearance lies great alertness, intelligence and a critical but also warm and honest personality.
As a top-tier communications professional, Irene is able to connect two worlds without losing value. On the one hand, she is still sufficiently 'old school' to be able to make in-depth, concise (communication) analyzes and deliver old-fashioned good craftsmanship. On the other hand, she moves with great insight, dexterity and flair into all new developments in the social and communication field - and knows how to translate these into contemporary, effective (social media) strategies. It was not without reason that she finished 'top of the class' at Van der Hilst!
The passion with which she is committed to a sustainable world combines well with her pragmatism: her drive and sense of reality keep each other in perfect balance. The world really does become a better place because of people like Irene. And more fun too, because in addition to all the above, she is also 'just' a nice and warm-hearted person!
Valerie Vleesenbeek
strategic communications advisor The Hague Municipality a.i.
Irene's great strength is her ability to develop communication strategies that articulate and reinforce the overall strategy of organizations. In doing so, she supports organizations in their positioning and profiling on precisely those themes and propositions that are distinctive. With her good pen she knows how to write down strategic pieces and policy documents in such a way that you enjoy reading them. She also knows better than anyone how to translate key messages into visually powerful communication tools. In short, she is a strong and convincing (communications) strategist with an excellent sense of good text and strong images.
Antoinette Thijssen
Head of Marketing and Communications, Social Sciences Group
I met Irene when I was president of the European Canadian Studies Network. I was immediately impressed by her efficiency, commitment and dynamism in supporting the development of Canadian studies in the Netherlands. Irene's strength, determination and excellent organization impressed me. She is a brilliant colleague who strikes me as a first-rate manager. I was also impressed by the way she was able to invest herself for the benefit of others. She has been a strong supporter of the Canadian Studies Association in the Netherlands, which would otherwise have disappeared long ago. I have the greatest respect for her work and she's also a pleasure to work with.
Serge Jaumain, University of Bruxelles
Professor European-American History
In addition to being very friendly, Irene can best be described as very honest, open, reliable and structured. I have experienced her as her right hand in complex matters such as formulating a new strategy for Wageningen Economic Research, organizing internal organizational development and, above all, organizing and writing clear, well-thought-out and attractive reports in which clear and attractive strategy, organization and environment are discussed. An environment of driven, open and collaborative professionals allows her to excel.
Olaf Hietbrink
Business Unit Manager Wageningen Economic Research