Archive for category: Team Profiles

Behind every great project manager stands a great assistant, ready to help in whichever way needed. This year Anne Jacobs, architecture student at TU Delft, stands at the ready to support and provide back-up. It is a function she thus far relishes.

As personal assistant to the project manager, the demands of the job can change at a moment’s notice. “I perform all sorts of roles at the same time,” Jacobs says. “If you need checklists, questionnaires or just about anything else, I can do it.” It is a position and a platform she feels will yield valuable experience in return as well. Indeed the variety of the tasks given to Jacobs is what drives her to do the utmost for the organisation.

Signing up for TEDxDelft was an easy decision for Jacobs when asked to join. “I find the concept of TEDx very inspiring,” she explains. Though new to the organisation she has plenty of enthusiasm for the platform, as shown by her interest in watching TEDx videos. In addition, taking part in the organization will present her the chance to meet and work with new people. Given her motivation for the platform, there can be no doubt Jacobs will do her part to ensure the focus lies firmly on organising great events.

How long have you been a part of the TEDxDelft team?

Just a few months.

Who is your favourite speaker from a previous TEDxDelft conference and why?

Because I am new to the team and have not attended many TEDxDelft events yet, I cannot really decide. I know there will be many more good speakers to come, so I cannot base my answer on just the few of speakers I heard so far. But those I have heard were very good!

Theoretically if you could choose any one person, historical or fictional, to give a talk at TEDxDelft who would it be and why?

I think I would like to hear from a famous fashion designer, because this job sounds very interesting to me. Or say, something more exciting like a mafia boss.

Are there any hobbies you secretly enjoy outside of work?

So many, like beer, going to festivals and concerts, discovering new music, listening to TEDx talks, reading, writing.

If you could give a TEDx talk, what would you talk about?

I think I would probably give a talk about something that has to do with architecture as I am studying architecture at the TU Delft. Or maybe something more personal, about expectations or about prejudices.

TEDxDelft is more than just a one-day event, with various events taking place throughout the year. The blog is a great place to come and read about what is going on with TEDxDelft. Because this is such an important aspect of the TEDxDelft brand, Pierre Mathieu, Communications Manager for the blog, takes his job very seriously and ensures our audience is always informed.

About this time last year, he started as a blogger with the TEDxDelft team, and now he oversees the entire blog. “The blog’s main aims are to create awareness for our events, present the speakers and the TEDxDelft organisation,” Mathieu explains. As the blog coordinator, he manages a tight schedule of planning, assigning and even writing the blog posts for the TEDxDelft website. But the work alone isn’t what keeps Mathieu so excited about his new role. “The team I worked with was great and the talks were very interesting, so I was eager to continue working with the organisation as a blogger.”

Having signed on initially to improve his writing skills, it’s safe to say he has definitely done that and more. This blog seamlessly delivers all TEDxDelft news because of the hard work Mathieu puts into it. The 2015-2016 TEDxDelft season will be a busy one, but you can be sure that he will keep the posts coming and the audience continuously informed.

How long have you been a part of the TEDxDelft team?
I started January 2015.

Who is your favourite speaker from a previous TEDxDelft conference and why?
I would have to go with Mileha Soneji, and her talk on how empathy can be the key to innovation. The thing that struck me most about her talk was how a seemingly simple idea could greatly help people with Parkinson’s disease in their everyday lives.

Theoretically, if you could choose any one person, historical or fictional, to give a talk at TEDxDelft who would it be and why?
Ayrton Senna, the former Formula 1 driver. Not for his achievements, but for his outlook on life. He had strong convictions, did a lot for impoverished children in Brazil, and would talk about racing as a means to learn more about himself. I think he would have some very interesting insights.

Are there any hobbies you secretly enjoy outside of work?
I like to write fiction, to create new worlds filled with interesting characters and stories.

If you could give a TEDx talk, what would you talk about?
I have no idea.

As the TEDxDelft platform grows with more events than ever before, finding and maintaining good relationships with its partners becomes even more important. As Partner Lead, Rienske Gielesen, owner of a communications consultancy, is charged with ensuring that the organisation finds and maintains these relationships.

“TEDxDelft has some great founding partners who have been responsible for the existence of this platform for over five years,” Gielesen explains. From the storytelling events to the salons and of course the main event, partners make a valuable contribution. Gielesen’s task is to find new partners and maintain the current partners, in order to secure funds and other in-kind benefits. In return she also shows how the partners can gain from TEDxDelft through exposure of their brand. It it this mutually beneficial relationship she is building with current and future partners.

It is the inspiring nature of TED and TEDx talks that convinced Gielesen to become a part of the TEDxDelft organisation. “My drive is to meet people outside of their ‘work-comfort zone’ and help them connect to it in another way,” she explains. The talks are a source of inspiration to her, which show how to make a difference. Leave it to Gielesen then to show TEDxDelft’s partners how their contribution will benefit everyone. “It is a privilege to be a part of this.”

How long have you been a part of the TEDxDelft team?

Since TEDxDelft Women, May 2015.

Who is your favourite speaker from a previous TEDxDelft conference and why?

Marije Nie’s “One Million Steps,” a tap dancing adventure at TEDxDelft 2013. I loved her energy and the inspiring thought of being aware of the power of silence and use this to dance and create your next adventures. What she did in Gezi park, next to the Taksim square during the Arab Spring, amazing!

Theoretically if you could choose any one person, historical or ficional, to give a talk at TEDxDelft who would it be and why?

Salvador Dali. I would love to get a glimpse of what was going on in his mind. I guess a TED talk about “creating new reality” would suit him very well.

Are there any hobbies you secretly enjoy outside of work?

My secret is that my work became my hobby. Besides that, I write and draw poems of the soul, for people who dare to meet their own essence. And of course spending family time with my husband and two lovely daughters.

If you could give a TEDx talk, what would you talk about?

Last year, the engine cover opened up while driving on the highway, blocking my view. When I was standing safely on the side of the road, I heard this music on the radio, which I had selected for my funeral. This strange moment reminded me of the fact that life is not a dress rehearsal, there is only the here and now. My talk would be about that: Embrace your doubts, pains and awkward moments, they are just an illusion. If life hurts say “thank you” and after that continue laughing, shining, and dancing your life because that is the only thing that life really is about.

For Pieter Guldemond, there is no doubt that this year’s TEDxDelft event will be a day worth remembering. With an impressive line-up of speakers and talks, the event offers something that will appeal to every visitor in many different ways. “TEDxDelft is a one-day event that you will remember fondly for the rest of the year,” Guldemond says. “There are a lot of interesting things that happen during the event. One speech always sticks out for me, and every time it is a surprise to find out which talk it will be.”

As Secretary of the TEDxDelft Non-profit Organization, Guldemond is primarily focused on ensuring that there are sufficient funds to organize an event each year, which will attract as many visitors as possible. “The main challenge is to find new partners for the event,” he says. Fortunately, it is a situation Guldemond knows very well as Interim Director of TU Delft business incubator YES! Delft. “I was working for the Delft City Council when TEDxDelft was first being organized. As soon as the organization contacted us, I had to know everything about it.”

Guldemond is convinced that this year’s TEDxDelft event is truly worth looking forward to. As a matter of fact, he compares each event to opening a pile of presents and discovering what is inside. Indeed, visitors will undoubtedly cherish these gifts for a long time to come.

What is your role at TEDxDelft?

I’m the secretary of the TEDxDelft board. It is my main task to take care of sufficient subsidies to organize a stunning TEDxDelft.

Why did you get involved with the organization?

When I was alderman in the city of Delft I heard rumors about a man who had the license to organize a TEDx event in Delft. As I was a big fan of TED.com for some years, I immediately searched for this man and met Rob Speekenbrink. That was the beginning of a fruitful cooperation between the city of Delft and TU Delft. Eventually we managed to organize the first TEDxDelft in 2011.

How long have you been a part of the TEDxDelft Team?

I was involved from the very beginning, but I joined the board in June 2014.

If you could choose one person to give a talk at TEDxDelft, who would it be and why?

Jett Rebel. I think he is an interesting artist, struggling with his personality. In my opinion artists generally think different than most of the people. It’s very interesting to understand what happens in their heads, like Spinvis did when he was cultural professor at the TU Delft.

What’s your nerdy little secret?

I’m a big fan of hummingbirds.

Every year, TEDxDelft features an impressive line-up of speakers and their ideas worth spreading. As one of the curators on the team, Caryn ’t Hart de Wijkerslooth is always eager to make each TEDxDelft event extra special in regard to the program’s content. “What I find very rewarding is trusting my eye for a good story,” she says. Indeed, finding good storytellers does not pose much of a challenge to ‘t Hart de Wijkerslooth, since she tries to instill this type of skill to her students at TU Delft. “’I teach public speaking, scientific writing and debating skills,” she shares. “Basically, I help future engineers tell their story in the best possible way.”

According to ‘t Hart de Wijkerslooth, there is a lot that visitors can look forward at this year’s event. “There will be lots of diversity, in a lot of ways,” she explains, “diversity in stories, people, ages, subjects.” That being said, ‘t Hart de Wijkerslooth is optimistic that the combination of speakers and their stories will lead to a program that visitors will truly appreciate. “I hope to see people enjoying the program that we arranged for the event,” she says.

It goes without saying that ‘t Hart de Wijkerslooths’ enthusiasm for TEDxDelft is clear for all to see. As a matter of fact, she is also helping to organize the first TEDxDelftwomen event, which will take place on May 29, 2015. With such a commitment to TEDxDelft, there is every reason to believe this year’s event will be a great success.

What is your role at TEDxDelft?

I’m one of the three curators. The word curator comes from the Latin curare, meaning “take care”. So, we take care of the program, basically. I look for possible speakers and performers to be on the TEDxDelft stage. I search , interview, and invite speakers and performers for the lineup, keeping in mind the balance in the program. Together with Rob Speekenbrink and Jeroen van Erp I will hopefully construct and design a wonderful program with good speakers for the next TEDxDelft.

Why did you get involved with the organization?

Because I am a story geek. I love reading stories, hearing stories, writing stories, referring to stories, discovering stories and helping people build up their story. In short, stories make me tick. I’m convinced that people are shaped by stories and at the same time,  shape stories. Stories might be the most important things we have. So, when I discovered TED years ago I immediately thought that it was so awesome. Then I discovered that there were TEDx events in the Netherlands as well. I knew I wanted to contribute straightaway.

How long have you been a part of the TEDxDelft team?

Since January 2013.

If you could choose one person to give a talk at TEDxDelft, who would it be and why?

Annie MG Schmidt. Definitely. It would be awesome to hear her speak about her power to be an original, how to find your spark.

What’s your nerdy little secret?

Although I stick to my vegetarian –mostly even vegan- diet, I love a klup burger from time to time at Café van Engelen in Leiden.

How do you go from giving a simple presentation to delivering an unforgettable performance? That’s the business of the TEDxDelft Performer Coaching Team: helping speakers to give the performance of their lifetime.

So just how does the team do this? We spoke with Toine Andernach, Co-ordinator of the TEDxDelft Performer Coach Team.

“First of all, TEDx is different from the usual setting,” says Andernach. “It’s not a PowerPoint presentation for your colleagues at work. It’s a performance so people need training in the characteristics of a show.”

At the core of a TEDx talk is the ‘Idea Worth Spreading’ and it usually takes a while before the speakers have boiled all their information down to one simple message. “The speakers might have a vague idea”, claims Andernach, “but we usually need to help them build a story around the idea.” Performer Coach Jonathan Talbott agrees: “If the main idea isn’t very clear then it’s just a cool story. But we’re not in the business of cool stories – we’re in the business of making people think!”

Another challenge for the team is that a TEDx talk is very concise; it can be six, twelve or eighteen minutes long. “That can be tough,” agrees Talbott. “Usually my clients have one of two problems. Either they have way too much stuff or they worry that they’ve got no idea what they’re going to talk about. Usually it turns out they do know what they want to talk about – it’s just a confidence problem. So mostly that’s what I do – I help people with their confidence.”

Once the content is sorted, the coaches turn next to the form of the talk. “Once we’ve got it down it into a ‘Tweet form’ – I mean really solidly sorted out – then it’s my job to say: Hey how are we going to get that message across?” says Talbott. What often works well is a personal story says Andernach. “Where the audience identifies with the story and thinks “Oh yes I can do that too!” – that’s important.”

And there’s another advantage to telling personal stories – a physiological one. “Something happens in your brain when you tell a personal story,” explains Talbott. “As you’re telling it, you really get into it and so you forget your nerves.”

The team also coaches speakers in the use of silence. “If you leave just three seconds of silence between words, sentences, or chunks of sentences, you get a lot for free”, explains Andernach. “Silence can emphasis the point being made and give the audience time to understand.” It’s not easy to do but the Performer Coaching Team trains speakers how and when to use silence. And it can be really effective, says Andernach: “If people are able to do it well in their talk, it always gives me goosebumps!”

Meet the TEDxDelft 2015 Speaker Coaches:

Toine Andernach

 

 

Sjaak Baars

 

 

Wim Blokzijl

 

 

Renate  Klaassen

 

 

 

Jet van Paassen

 

 

 

Kim van der Linden

 

 

Martijn Wackers

 

 

 

Antoinette Wijffels

 

 

 

Jonathan Talbott

 

Working together with other people is one of the most gratifying things to do. Whether it’s playing the tuba in an orchestra or getting colleagues and volunteers to be enthusiastic about TEDxDelft, what Volunteer Coordinator Brenda Hooiveld appreciates most is the opportunity to work with other people. It’s no surprise then that she returns to the team for a third time to help organise the upcoming TEDxDelft event.

While most people would regard it a challenge to coordinate more than a hundred volunteers, Hooiveld considers such an undertaking to be a reward in itself. “Every year, I am amazed and surprised by how many highly motivated volunteers are prepared to do almost anything for TEDxDelft,” Hooiveld says. “I really enjoy getting other people equally enthusiastic about the event. It’s a really great concept and I love creating a sense of excitement around it.” Indeed, for Hooiveld, there is no better moment when the sense of cooperation, inspiration and excitement come together than during the event itself.

Working as a Communications Advisor for TU Delft’s Education and Student Affairs department, Hooiveld is a genuine people person. So when the opportunity came to join the TEDxDelft team as the Volunteer Coordinator, she was more than willing to take up the task. “They needed someone who could work with people from all across the board and I like working with people,” Hooiveld explains, “so I thought, why not?”

If you are interested in volunteering for the upcoming TEDxDelft event, why not drop her a line or sign up via our website?

What is your role at TEDxDelft?

I am the volunteer coordinator. This means that I am responsible for recruiting and mobilizing the volunteers at TEDxDelft. And of course keep all volunteers and our event managers happy.

Why did you get involved with the organization?

I was a volunteer at the first TEDxDelft and several of the organisers of TEDxDelft are colleagues of mine, as I work at TU Delft

How long have you been a part of the TEDxDelft team?

The first edition I was a normal volunteer. Unfortunately, I had to skip the 2^nd edition. The role of volunteer coordinator I am doing for the 2^nd year.

If you could choose one person to give a talk at TEDxDelft, who would it be and why? 

Mr. Bean, curious what he would do on such a stage.

What’s your nerdy little secret?

I read a lot, including fantasy and science fiction books. And I am a comics fan.

“Taking care of people is something I have always liked,” says Sylvia Walsarie Wolff, Speaker Liaison of TEDxDelft. “In this energetic environment, I have the opportunity to cooperate with all kinds of people in order make speakers as comfortable as possible before, during and after the event.” Given the number of high profile speakers invited to the upcoming TEDxDelft event, it appears that this is no ordinary task. Indeed, some presenters consider speaking at TEDxDeflt to be quite the undertaking, which is why Wolff does her utmost best to ensure that they have a pleasant experience.

Relying on her years of expertise as both Project Manager and Policy Officer at TU Delft, Wolff serves as the go-to person for all speaker-related concerns, queries and requests. Needless to say, she plays a critical role in the coordination and organization of the TEDxDelft event. “If we succeed, we will manage to offer visitors inspiring performances by relaxed, well-prepared speakers,” Wolff claims. With all the planning and preparations conducted throughout the year, she and the entire TEDxDelft team hope that this will in fact be the case.

What is your role at TEDxDelft?

I’m the speaker liaison: the person speakers can turn to with all their questions, requests, complaints,  suggestions and wishes before, during and after the event.

Why did you get involved with the organization?
Last year, Brenda made me coordinator of a team of volunteers – a job I enjoyed a lot. So when I was asked to expand my involvement  his year and become speaker liaison, I was very pleased and took the job.

How long have you been a part of the TEDxDelft Team?
I have been part of the TEDxDelft team since Spring 2014.

If you could choose one person to give a talk at TEDxDelft, who would it be and why?

Piet van der Zanden is a colleague I met when I started working at TU Delft thirteen years ago.  He managed to raise 6 kids, rebuild a house, get his PhD, write a book and always be a pleasant person. Currently he is working at ICT education support staff on innovative projects like the classroom of the future. I think his vision on life can inspire many people. Moreover, he is the only man I know who likes shopping more than his wife.

What’s your nerdy little secret?

I used to collect Douwe Egberts points, but now the Douwe Egberts shops disappeared and you have to go to Blokker to get your china, I quit. I hate Blokker.

“It’s great to think of ways to ensure that TEDxDelft visitors have a memorable and inspiring time,” says Dominique van Werkhoeven, Event Production Manager at TEDxDelft. “I’ve always enjoyed organizing events, whether it’s dinner with friends or international business conferences in different countries across the world!” Prior to moving to Delft in 2012, the London native and Oxford University graduate spent a considerable amount of time in France, working with and on behalf of young people. “I’m passionate about people, especially the youth,” Werkhoeven shares. “ They have so much energy and creativity.”

Whether she’s making visitors feel welcome during the TEDxDelft event or organizing community activities with her local Christian group, Werkhoeven definitely enjoys being involved. “I look forward to people arriving and feeling very curious about what the TEDxDelft event will hold for them and then seeing them leave, having felt well looked after and with new ways of seeing things around them,” she says. “I also look forward to working with the different volunteers who join us to make the day possible!”

Can you tell us something about yourself?

My name is Dominique, I’m from London and moved to the Netherlands in 2012 when I got married to my gorgeous Dutch husband. I really enjoy living and working in international and multi-cultural situations – so Delft is a great place to be for that! After graduating from Oxford University in UK with a law degree, I did something very different and got involved with event planning, organising and delivering. Then I discovered just how much I enjoyed it and have done it ever since!

What’s your job at TEDxDelft?

My job, together with Iris, is Event Production. That means supporting the TEDx event by making sure that guests feel welcome and can enjoy the most out of the whole TEDx experience,  even when in the main auditorium listening to the inspiring talks!

What’s your favourite TED(x)talk?

I really enjoy Sir  Ken Robinson’s talk on how schools can kill creativity – what a challenge to rethink the education systems around the world. And I really like the Kid President videos that are on the TED website – fun, inspirational and cute!

Which keywords define you as a person?

People-person, spontaneous, loyal,  Lion King-enthusiast! If we spend some time talking, I will probably ask you “What’s your story?” because I really enjoy hearing individual stories. I find it fascinating! And I like words and using them well to create stories!

“I only want to see happy faces on the day of the event,” says Iris Kramer, Event Production Manager at TEDxDelft. Having studied at TU Delft for the last five years, Kramer has mastered the intricacies of event management as an active member of several student boards and committees. “I love to organize these events. That is why I wanted to get involved with TEDxDelft.”

Born and raised in the Northern countryside of Friesland, Kramer moved to Delft to study Architecture and is currently pursuing her Master’s degree in Real Estate and Housing. She hopes that her organizational skills and experience will be put to good use during the run-up to the big day.

“Since this is my first year working on the TEDxDelft event, everything is new to me and I need to discover what needs to be done,” Kramer shares. “However, everybody at TEDxDelft is motivated and driven, which makes it really rewarding to put a lot of effort into the event!” Indeed, Kramer’s ultimate goal is to make this year’s theme stand out, not only through the various talks, but also during the TEDxDelft event as a whole.

1. What is your role at TEDxDelft? 

As Event Production Manager, I am responsible for everything that happens outside of the theatre. I fulfill the job together with my co-manager Dominique Riley.

2. Why did you get involved with the organization?

Currently, I am a Master student at the TU Delft. I love studying and everything that comes with it. This leads to an enormous amount of curiosity. TED talks give me a lot of inspiration and drive to work. This is why I wanted to get involved with the organization of the TEDx event in Delft.

3. How long have you been a part of the TEDxDelft team?

Since September, we officially started as Event Production Managers for the 2015 TEDxDelft event.

4. If you could choose one person to give a talk at TEDxDelft, who would it be and why?

This would be someone I do not already know and I have never heard of. I love to watch new talks by persons that are unknown to me but do have an amazing story. By hearing about new things, I get inspired to keep thinking and innovating.

5. What’s your nerdy little secret?

I love everything that includes the combination of creativity and technology.