Even more About me

Who I Am

I’m Mathijs — a People & Culture professional who thrives in fast-moving environments, loves solving problems others avoid, and believes that companies move forward when people do. I’m driven, curious, endlessly interested in how humans grow, and allergic to standing still.
If there’s movement, challenge, or complexity, I’m usually somewhere in the middle of it — preferably with a plan, a whiteboard, and too much enthusiasm.

I live together with my girlfriend, near the beach, which means I get to reset my brain with fresh air and long walks whenever the Dutch weather decides to behave. On the days it doesn’t (so, quite often), I create that same sense of momentum in my work — helping teams, leaders and organizations find clarity and direction.

What Drives Me

I get energy from building things: cultures, teams, strategies, habits, and occasionally entire rooms during home renovations. I love turning chaos into something structured, turning strategy into action, and helping people grow in ways they didn’t expect.

People describe me as “always busy,” which is true, but in the best way. I’m constantly starting new projects because I genuinely love creating, fixing, improving, and moving things forward. It’s just how I’m wired.

I’ve learned to move fast, stay honest, make tough decisions, and keep growing; even when it’s uncomfortable… especially when it’s uncomfortable.

What I Love Outside of Work

When I’m not working, I’m usually doing something creative or overly ambitious. I renovate, cook, read, dive into tech projects, and make music. A lot of music.

I play guitar, sing, and switch between ukulele, trumpet, piano, and bass — basically, if it produces sound, I’ll give it a try. Music is where I reset, recharge, and remind myself that not everything needs KPIs or structure.

And of course, there’s the beach. No matter how busy or chaotic life gets, walking along the coast always brings things back into perspective.

How I Work

I’m direct (the friendly Dutch kind), pragmatic, and deeply people-focused. I think in systems, I connect dots quickly, and I like transforming complexity into clarity.

I don’t believe HR is about paperwork or rituals — it’s about building environments where people can do their best work. Where expectations are clear, leadership is consistent, and culture actually means something.
My style combines:

  • honest conversations

  • strategic thinking

  • practical solutions

  • humor

  • structure (yes, even when things are a mess)

  • and the belief that momentum is everything

I enjoy the kind of challenges that make other people say, “Let’s circle back later.” I don’t circle back — I jump in.

What People Say About Me

If you ask colleagues or friends, you’ll hear things like:

  • “He’s always building something.”

  • “He never sits still.”

  • “If there’s a new idea, he’s already halfway through executing it.”

  • “He sees connections you didn’t even realize were there.”

  • “Direct, but in a good way.”

I take that as a compliment. I care deeply about people, about growth, about progress — and I bring that energy everywhere I go.

In Short

I’m a builder, a strategist, a people-person, and someone who loves helping organizations grow with purpose. I bring clarity, momentum, and a human-first approach to everything I do. Standing still isn’t an option — not in my work, not in my life, and not in the cultures I help create.

If that sounds like someone you’d like to work with, we’ll probably get along really well.