Barbara’s passion lies in helping individuals, groups and teams develop their cross culture competence in order to help clients benefit from the (cultural) value differences they experience in both their professional and private lives.

Born to Dutch parents, Barbara grew up in Canada where she completed degrees in Comparative International Studies and Native (Indigenous) Studies, as well as a Master of Social Work (MSW).  Involved from a young age in international peace organizations, she furthered pursued her interest in cross cultural relations working and living in different parts of Canada, Ecuador and Israel, as well as completing an internship in Kenya. She speaks fluent English and Dutch, as well as moderate French and basic Spanish.

Prior to relocating to the Netherlands, Barbara supervised a variety of national education projects and was an educator for young adults in a variety programs. She has also worked with the Canadian Ministry of Health on various National Workshop projects. 

Barbara worked as a trainer and programme director at Trompenaars Hampden-Turner till 2015 liaising with global corporate clients, national and international educational institutions and international business schools.  In addition, she was also an assistant professor for both the International Business Administration and the Master’s Cross Cultural Management courses at the Vrije University in Amsterdam and co-translated Fons Trompenaars and Ed Voerman’s book, Servant-leadership across cultures.

She joined KPMG in the Netherlands in 2015 as a consultant in People and Change and most recently, progressed to the Amsterdam School of International Business as a lecturer and Community Manager, CET/Program Manager in 2020.