My Job
CEO and Founder of Novya, Brussels’ only consultancy exclusively focused on serving European impact-driven organizations and nonprofits. I lead strategic transformation initiatives, develop our team of experts and associates, and bring a passionate, collaborative approach to every project. What sets me apart is listening deeply to translate diverse voices into concrete, actionable strategies that people recognize as their own.
My Experience
20+ years working with nonprofits across Germany, France, UK, and Belgium, spanning culture, science, and trade sectors. Career highlights include meeting Paul McCartney on stage and encountering Andre Geim, the 2010 Nobel Prize winner in Physics for graphene research. I’ve participated in strategic meetings from Bangkok to Cape Town via Tokyo, collaborating with remarkable experts on topics ranging from disability inclusion to digital identity. From 2018-2025, I was leading the Interel/DGA Association Management Practice in Brussels as Partner, rebuilding our service approach from the ground up. I co-founded Novya to help impact-focused organizations amplify their effectiveness through strategic advice, training, and hands-on support.
My Specialisms
My Proudest Achievements
Developing a new excellence framework for European nonprofit and association management — one that prioritizes vision, impact, engagement and smart operations. Establishing Novya as a consultancy dedicated exclusively to nonprofits and their unique characteristics. Successfully driving organizational change by co-creating strategies that endure long after my team’s departure.
My Education
- Executive MBA – Quantic School of Business and Technology (US)
- MA European Culture and Economy (Germany)
- BA in Nonprofit Management (UK)
My Languages
German (native), English (fluent), French (conversational – enough to navigate Brussels and embarrass my daughter).
My Interests outside work
Photography enthusiast (former professional band photographer with my own cellar darkroom, now pursuing it as a digital hobby). I’m fascinated by how photographers shape perception — what seems objective is really about attention and making subjects shine, much like my consulting approach. Also passionate about exploring Brussels’ dynamic neighborhoods and experimenting with new technology. As a proud expat Bruxelloise, I embrace the creative chaos of my international family where each member holds a different nationality.
My Favourite Brussels anecdote
A few years ago, I was attending a screening of the Met Opera Live at Heysel, when a backdoor was quietly opened and a small, stout man, accompanied by two body guards, shuffled into the unoccupied row behind me. It was José Manuel Barroso – still Commission President at the time – enjoying a bit of Tosca in a spare moment. He left just as he came, quietly and while the performance was still on. To me, this makes Brussels special: sure, it’s a cradle of power and influence, but also a place of unexpected encounters at quirky festivals, self-made community picnics and unusual pop-up events.