I believe in the power of design as a strategic asset to drive positive change, in multi-stakeholder co-creation to solve today's complex challenges, and in business as a force for good. I'm dedicated to unlocking more ways that people can learn, grow, and shape the future together. I partner with leaders worldwide in the private, public, and civic sectors to envision, design and build a brighter future for all.

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LIFE

I was born in Belgium in 1972 and raised by a mechanical, engineer, a pediatric caregiver, and four older siblings. Growing up near Antwerp, I studied Visual Communication at the Sint-Lucas School of Arts where I received my MFA in 1997.
I married my Californian love in 2001 and moved to the US where I have been living and working ever since. By way of the Golden State, I’ve been calling the Pacific Northwest my home with my wife and our three boys.

CAREER

I am a designer first, and became a strategist and facilitator in the last half of my 20 year career.

Most recently, through my own advisory firm, I’ve been working as a strategic partner to leaders worldwide in the private, public and civic sectors to envision, design and build brighter futures. In the last few years, I have been fortunate to get to work with amazing organizations like the Annenberg Foundation, NYU’s GovLab, the World Economic Forum, Cambia Health Solutions, and JamCity.

Prior to that, I was Creative Director of the global design consultancy XPLANE, where I led the design practice and an international team of strategic designers. Deploying design thinking to help organizations tackle complex organizational challenges, I worked with global clients including leadership teams at American Express, BP, Coca-Cola, Disney, ICANN, Oracle, Samsung, Unicef, and UPS.

Before that I held senior positions at various design, brand, and experiential marketing firms, both in the EU and the US.

TEACHING & MENTORING

I attempt to inspire the next generation of designers/thinkers by teaching and mentoring students at PNCA's graduate Collaborative Design program, and PSU Center for Executive and Professional Education’s Design Thinking program, both in Portland, OR.

PAYING IT FORWARD

I am on the Advisory Board of the amazing Da Vinci Schools, providing students from the most-challenging areas in Los Angeles real-world, project-based learning, and true 21st century skills.

In response to the challenges associated with the global pandemic, I joined Belcham’s International Covid-19 Business Task Force, helping organizations on both sides of the Atlantic navigate this new reality.

Lastly, living in rural wildfire and earthquake country, I am passionate about whole-community emergency preparation and response. I am a volunteer with our county’s Sheriff’s Office, and recently co-founded a COAD to coordinate local community organizations during the four phases of disaster.

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CAPABILITIES

STRATEGY & INNOVATION
Strategy Building
Process Improvement
Business Modeling

PEOPLE & ORGANIZATION
Vision Mapping
Purpose Discovery
Culture Tuning
Organizational Design
Stakeholder Engagement

STRATEGIC COMMUNICATION
Internal Communication
Brand Alignment
Executive Presentations
(Re-)Positioning