Early journey

I was born in The Netherlands, but at 18, I took a leap of faith and traveled to New Zealand for a year. Little did I know, this journey would not only introduce me to the stunning landscapes of the country but also to my husband, and a life of living in New Zealand. As I pursued my studies in education and philosophy, my path took a profound turn when I became a mother at 25.

Family, learning, and a life of exploration

When my husband and I began our family, we envisioned a life very different from the one we had been raised with. We imagined a life filled with freedom, where we could live fully without the constraints of the daily “have-to’s.” Our love for the outdoors led us to countless adventures. One of our proudest achievements has been walking the entire length of New Zealand, every step of the way. A snippet of our journey was even featured in New Zealand Geographic here: The Longest Walk. I also completed an outdoor leadership course with NOLS more recently, which deepened my love for learning through experience in nature and working with groups in challenging, real-life environments. 

Challenges and discovering NVC

Yet, while we made a good attempt to live our dream, family life and parenthood brought its own challenges. Before we got married, we’d both agreed that maintaining a marriage can’t be that hard as long as you keep communicating. But our communication often led to conflict and challenges. Ultimately, this led me to discover Nonviolent Communication (NVC), and I attended my first workshop in 2015. This discovery became a turning point in my life, offering me a new lens through which to see and engage with the world around me.

Learning through life

I am incredibly grateful for the many teachers I’ve had and continue to learn from. Some of my most profound lessons have come from living daily life with my family. As my children enter their teenage years, I look back with gratitude on the many precious moments we’ve shared. Of course, there have also been many difficult times. During those moments, I found immense value in the NVC skills I had learned, which helped me navigate challenges with greater understanding and compassion. Again and again, I’m struck by the power that emerges when I choose to embrace NVC consciousness.

Co-founding Peace Talks

In 2022, I co-founded Peace Talks with Sally. I’m fascinated by the science and lived experience of connection, and I feel deeply grateful to share the transformative power of Nonviolent Communication with parents.

I don’t consider myself an “expert” in parenting, nor do I expect to ever master it. Instead, I see myself as someone deeply committed to continuous learning, practice, and sharing this way of being with ourselves and others.

I completed my certification journey with the Center for Nonviolent Communication in 2025.

Connection and nature 

Finally, I am deeply passionate about creating spaces where connection is rich, both between people and with the natural world. I love facilitating experiences that bring people into presence, honesty, and relational depth, especially in outdoor and experiential settings.

I am especially interested in developing future programmes that are held in nature-based environments; including retreats, family camps, and experiential learning spaces that bring people into connection with themselves, each other, and the living world around them.

Alongside this, I am increasingly passionate about bringing grief and loss back into community life in a more supported and relational way; not as something isolated or hidden, but as a natural part of being human that can be held together with care and presence.

As Daniel Siegel puts it: “We are wired to connect, and it is through our relationships that we grow, heal, and thrive.” I have experienced immense richness in my connections with others during NVC courses, group work, and time in nature, and I hope to pass on the gift I received by offering the same through Peace Talks.