Experience

European Public Health Alliance (EPHA)

• Belgium
• Public Policy Offices
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Head of Policy

  • May 2023 - Present

  As Head of Policy, I oversee EPHA's advocacy work across its seven Policy Clusters spanning the entire public health policy spectrum. Moreover, I lead the Health Equity Policy Cluster in which we advocate for policy change to ensure that people in the most marginalised and vulnerable situations are not left behind.EPHA is a change agent – Europe’s leading NGO alliance advocating for better health. We are a dynamic member-led organisation, made up of public health civil society, including health professionals, and patient and disease groups working together to strengthen the voice of public health in Europe. Show less

• Senior Policy Manager for Health Equity | EPHA Communications Coordinator

  • Oct 2021 - May 2023

  Leading EPHA’s Health Inequalities Policy Cluster - Leading the development, implementation, and evaluation of EPHA’s communications strategy.EPHA is a change agent – Europe’s leading NGO alliance advocating for better health. We are a dynamic member-led organisation, made up of public health civil society, patient groups, health professionals, and disease groups working together to improve health and strengthen the voice of public health in Europe.



European Nutrition Leadership Platform (ENLP)

• Board Member

  • Mar 2018 - Present

  As Network representative to the ENLP Board I support and liaise with the team leaders of the different Network initiatives to get their input on the activities, progress and budgets. I attend the Board meetings and work close with the ENLP coordinator and other Board members to improve and further shape the ENLP programmes and activities.The ENLP is a dynamic network of food and nutrition professionals that makes a difference through improving non-scientific, transferrable skills such as communication, influencing and leadership.Two training courses held annually give access to the network:- ENLP Essentials Seminar for early-career professionals <35 years. A 1-week programme on understanding leadership, communication and team building.- ENLP Advanced Seminar for mid-career/senior professionals >35 years. A 3-day programme on effective leadership, emotional intelligence and strategic influence.Former participants keep the network engaged through active networking and organising training days and scientific sessions. Show less

• ENLP Fundraising Lead

  • Apr 2015 - Feb 2018

  Leading a small team of active ENLP alumni responsible for securing future funding for the programme.



European Food Information Council (EUFIC)

• Belgium
• Non-profit Organizations
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Senior Manager - Food & Health Science | Collaborations Coordination

  • May 2020 - Sep 2021

  In addition to the responsibilities outlined below, in May 2020 I was formally appointed as Collaborations Coordinator and as such responsible for developing and implementing a Collaborations Strategy that aims at partnering with credible organisations to increase EUFIC's outreach and impact.

• Senior Manager - Food & Health Science

  • Jan 2018 - Apr 2020

  As part of senior management, responsible for line managing a team of junior managers & interns, managing (EU-funded) projects (e.g. FIT4FOOD2030, EIT Food projects), contributing to the organisational strategy and processes, recruiting/managing staff, writing/reviewing science-based content, interviewing, representing the organisation externally at events & in advisory boards, and maintaining stakeholder relations.

• Nutrition & Health Projects Manager

  • May 2015 - Dec 2017

  Responsible for managing (EU-funded) projects, recruiting/managing junior staff, writing/reviewing science-based content, interviewing, representing the organisation externally, and maintaining stakeholder relations.

• Nutrition & Health Projects Assistant

  • May 2013 - Apr 2015

• Nutrition & Health Intern

  • Oct 2012 - Apr 2013



Voeding Nu

• Netherlands
• Book and Periodical Publishing

• Advisory Board Member

  • May 2013 - Jul 2021

  As a member of the advisory board - redactieadviesraad - I contributed to the scientific integrity of the written content in the magazine and on the website. I provided feedback to published material and input for future topics. Voeding Nu is an independant, evidence-based, journal about food, nutrition, and health, for professionals. I decided to discontinue this activity when changing jobs to EPHA and to allow for new people to join the board. As a member of the advisory board - redactieadviesraad - I contributed to the scientific integrity of the written content in the magazine and on the website. I provided feedback to published material and input for future topics. Voeding Nu is an independant, evidence-based, journal about food, nutrition, and health, for professionals. I decided to discontinue this activity when changing jobs to EPHA and to allow for new people to join the board.



European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC)

• Trainee Nutrition & Health

  • Oct 2011 - Oct 2012

  Responsible for providing nutrition related policy support (EU institutions/Member States), writing scientific and newsletter articles, and organising scientific events. Responsible for providing nutrition related policy support (EU institutions/Member States), writing scientific and newsletter articles, and organising scientific events.



Product Board for Poultry & Eggs

• Nutritionist

  • Feb 2011 - May 2011

  Temporary position: carrying out a review of the scientific literature on the effects of egg consumption on human health (nutritional contribution and effects on cholesterol metabolism and CVD risk). FULL REPORT: http://www.pve.nl/wdocs/dbedrijfsnet/up1/ZciepxmII_Het_effect_van_eiconsumptie_op_de_gezondheid_van_mensen.pdf Temporary position: carrying out a review of the scientific literature on the effects of egg consumption on human health (nutritional contribution and effects on cholesterol metabolism and CVD risk). FULL REPORT: http://www.pve.nl/wdocs/dbedrijfsnet/up1/ZciepxmII_Het_effect_van_eiconsumptie_op_de_gezondheid_van_mensen.pdf



CSM Innovation

• United States
• Online Audio and Video Media
• 1 - 100 Employee

• R&D employee

  • Mar 2009 - Aug 2009

  Innovation Center Sweet Ingredients. Projects regarding food technological aspects on fruits and fruit products (ingredient replacement, rheological tests, fruit integrity and application testing.

• MSc internship R&D

  • Sep 2008 - Feb 2009

  Innovation Center Bakery Ingredients. 6 month internship. Literature research on the molecular structure of dietary fiber and application testing. Scientific publication in January 2011 (see below)



Campina Innovation

• France
• Travel Arrangements
• 1 - 100 Employee

• MSc thesis

  • Nov 2007 - Apr 2008

  Literature research in the scope of 'personalized nutrition' with a focus on the effect of the ApoE polymorphism on the relation between n-3 fatty acids and cognitive functioning. (including data analysis, SPSS) Literature research in the scope of 'personalized nutrition' with a focus on the effect of the ApoE polymorphism on the relation between n-3 fatty acids and cognitive functioning. (including data analysis, SPSS)



Integrand Wageningen (student organisation)

• HR employee

  • 2006 - 2007

  Linking students and companies for theses, insternships and in-house days. Including different PR related activities. Linking students and companies for theses, insternships and in-house days. Including different PR related activities.