The road to impact: Wieke's role in the circular economy and sustainability

Could you briefly tell us about your time at Radboud University? What did you study, and what were your experiences? 

I completed three degrees (as mentioned above). I really enjoyed studying, but it was also quite intense, especially since I was always pursuing two studies simultaneously. There was some overlap, and in total, I completed everything in seven years, which is one year faster than usual for all the programs combined. My master's in particular was challenging; I was intellectually pushed by both my professors and fellow students. In addition to my studies, I worked part-time as a receptionist in a hotel, where I fortunately had plenty of time to study. My mindset was always: work can wait. So, I wanted to fully enjoy my time as a student, both in terms of studying and spending time with friends! 

Which skills from your studies do you use in your work? 

'I learned to think analytically, which is incredibly helpful for quickly connecting the dots in complex issues. Systemic thinking is also highly valuable. Political Science teaches you to understand systems, including the interactions between different components. This is directly applicable to sustainability, where it's essential to grasp the interconnections between economic, social, and environmental factors. Additionally, during my studies, I learned to think critically: not to accept things at face value, but to seek new solutions through a critical analysis of issues.'  

What are some challenges you faced after graduating, and how did you overcome them?  

'I had no practical experience. There was no room for internships during my studies, so I had no idea about workplace culture, how to collaborate effectively, or work in a project-based way. My studies were far too theoretical. Hopefully, that has changed now. This made me very insecure in my first job, and as a result, I didn’t enjoy work much for the first two years.'  

You work as a senior consultant at KplusV. What do you do in that role?  

'In this role, I work for various clients: governments, businesses, and partnerships. My work always focuses on building a sustainable society, mainly in the circular economy, such as chain collaborations. I am currently working on a long-term project for the Association of Dutch Municipalities, where, as a "circular economy driver," I represent all municipalities in the Netherlands to the national government. Together with other umbrella organisations and the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management, I work on governance agreements on collaboration (such as how we can make SMEs circular) and on setting up a governance structure for the circular economy in the Netherlands.'

What do you enjoy most about your work? 

 'Working with people who are intrinsically motivated to make the world a better place. This was my drive when I started studying, and it still is. In the Netherlands, we are fortunate to be in a privileged position, and I think it's only logical to contribute from that position. If you can, you should. There are already enough people working on things that negatively impact the environment and people's well-being.'  

'Together, we can make a difference, but it starts with truly listening to each other.' 

How do you make a significant impact on society in terms of the 'social economy', 'resilient society', and 'sustainable living environment'? 

 'In my work, especially in the area of sustainable living environments, I try to facilitate collaboration where it doesn’t happen naturally. I genuinely believe we can make a difference together. However, we often don’t listen well to one another, fail to understand each other's needs and interests, or don’t know how to reach a common goal. I help organisations co-create policies with their stakeholders, develop roadmaps for concrete programs and projects, establish sustainable business models, and lobby for change. Whenever possible, I prefer to facilitate meetings where people can directly collaborate.' 

'In my personal life, I try to make more sustainable choices step by step. At home, we buy as little new clothing as possible, using the Clothing Loop or Vinted. We eat 99% vegan at home. Luckily, Amsterdam has plenty of vegan bakers and coffee shops. My four-year-old daughter thinks cows should share their milk with us, which leads to a lot of conversations. I try to teach her my values in a way she can understand. I also discuss these topics a lot with friends. Not everyone shares my views, and I sometimes find that difficult. I have a tendency to shout from the rooftops about how polluting the livestock industry is and the animal suffering it causes!'  

What role do you hope to play in promoting the sustainability of societies? 

 'The role of connector and driver that I currently fulfill is all about creating urgency and awareness. I empower organisations to collaborate and, together, make our environment greener and more just.'