Board

After that Simone served as interim ED of NIMD, the Netherlands Institute for Multiparty Democracy, working in 24 countries in the world, including in post conflict countries. NIMD supports young societal & political leaders and established politicians to effectively work in a multi-party democratic context.

In December 2018, Simone established the not-4-profit Leadership4SDGs which aims at capacitating and empowering government leadership to lead and drive achieving the SDGs. She’s writing a book with the working title ‘Saving the ship of humanity; the leaders we need for the world we want to create.’ It includes interviews with former world leaders on their experiences and learning.

Momentarily, she is Chair International of the Netherlands Commission for Environmental Impact Assessment (https://www.eia.nl/en/about-us/why-the-ncea) which supports environment and sectoral ministries, environmental assessment professionals and non-governmental organizations, mostly in developing countries, to improve their environmental and social assessment practice both at strategic and project levels.

Simone has been engaged in multiple voluntary functions and roles, including as the elected International Secretary of the National Board of Dutch political party D66, President of the Skopje International School, Board member of the CIDSE – together for Global Justice – network, and of the European Partnership for Democracy (EPD). Between 2019-2024 she was Deputy-Chairperson of the World Governments Summit Global Council on SDG16, led by HE Helen Clark.

At present a.o. she is a Member of the Netherlands Advisory Commission for International Affairs, President of the UN Association for the Netherlands (UNANL), President of the Board of ISA Youth (empowerment through sport) and Upeace The Hague, Member of the Board of Trustees of London based Population Matters, Member of the International Advisory Board of the Athena Management School in Mumbai and of the Foundation The London Story, Member of the Supervisory Board of the Netherlands-African Business Council, Ambassador of Topvrouwen Academy / Top Women Academy, and a regular contributor to Horasis. She is part of the Jury of Miss World Netherlands (focusing on women empowerment & SDGs) and of VOOR, the annual Award of an executive search group awarding 10% of their turnover to projects making the world a better place.

Simone is currently self-employed, an independent strategic adviser; and international relations, communications and public diplomacy expert; accomplished speaker and facilitator. She has ample experience with media, incl. tv and radio. She speaks English (excellent), French (working level), German, Italian, Spanish (bit rusty), Russian, Macedonian (mostly passive). Active on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, Facebook.