President of the Brussels-based European Cyclists’ Federation since 2021 and member of the EuroVelo Council. Before joining European cycling advocacy, I've been a professional diplomat in the Dutch foreign service for 30+ years, serving in the US, France, the UK. I was Dutch ambassador to Finland 2012 - 2015 and to Denmark 2015 - 2019. I'm now an independent advisor on sustainability and international cooperation.I have been cycling to school and to work for over 50 years. Since 2012, I've been actively engaging in cycling diplomacy. In 2019 I was elected to the board of the European Cyclists’ Federation (ECF), advocating for more and better cycling for all in Europe and beyond. When not on the road, I divide my time between Amsterdam and Southern Sweden.