I began my career with five years in general practice in the Netherlands and the Caribbean, gaining hands-on experience in managing profitable practices, leading small veterinary teams, and building trusted communication with pet owners.
Experience in practice
Returning to Utrecht University, I completed an internship, residency, and PhD in companion animal internal medicine before serving on Faculty for six years. I taught internal medicine and contributed to leadership roles, including the Department’s management and IT teams and the Veterinary School’s curriculum committee.
Academic experience
For more than 25 years I worked at Hill’s Pet Nutrition in progressively senior roles across the UK, USA, Czech Republic, and Switzerland. My final position was Senior Director of Professional and Veterinary Affairs for Hill’s EMEA, where I drove the digital transformation of the veterinary channel. I also acted as interim General Manager for the DACH region and served as a non-executive board member of the veterinary start-up Vet-AI.
Industry experience
Professional engagements
Alongside my core career, I have been deeply involved in advancing veterinary medicine and education:
Programme Chair and later President of the Dutch Veterinary Congress (Voorjaarsdagen), for which I received the Royal Dutch Veterinary Association’s Award of Distinction.
Founding member of the European College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ECVIM-CA) Congress.
Board member of the European Society of Veterinary Nephrology & Urology (ESVNU).
Outside work, I am a passionate sportsman with interests in rowing, running, and fitness.
