I am trained as a cultural historian/analyst and journalist, with a work history in communication and media. 

Although born in Rotterdam I grew up mainly in the Northern part of the Netherlands. After high school, I studied  History in Groningen for two years but moved to Amsterdam to continue my studies there. Much to the horror of my dad  I might say. People born in Rotterdam just do. not. move. to Amsterdam! Years later I was met by that same emotion and disbelief from friends when I moved from Hong Kong to Singapore. Different continent -same sort of city rivalries!

My Master in Cultural Studies/History and Journalism is from the University of Amsterdam. Even back then I already combined my interest in media, history, and health, with a thesis about the interplay between wellness advertising for women and society; advertising as a mirror of past and present time. 

Later in life I also obtained certifications in Marketing, Sport and Society, Nutrition, Health Psychology and Behaviour, Cognitive Fitness Instruction and I participated in the FOM docent training for the National Museum of Singapore.

Over the years I have worked in various communication, and media disciplines and roles for organisations and companies such as TBWA, ING, Randstad, UPC,  Albert Heijn, Ministry of Economic affairs, IntermediarPW, Adformatie Groep, and Sanoma Media.

I easily switch from developing communication strategies, editorial and communication management to research and writing.

The thread in my non-linear career path is that I not only like to bring to live a past time and place, but that I am also good at understanding, and explaining how our cultural beliefs and emotional instincts drive us as human beings as well as consumers.