THE BOARD

Meet the agents of Change at E-unity. Our board members are the driving force behind our unwavering commitment to creating positive impact and fostering meaningful change. Comprising individuals of diverse expertise, backgrounds, and shared passion, our board brings a wealth of experience to guide our strategic direction

ANKE

BESSELING

Anke Besseling (she/her), a catalyst for inclusive development, joins E-UNITY with a wealth of expertise. With dual Master's degrees in Political Economy and Medical Anthropology and Sociology.

Anke has championed marginalized communities across multiple countries. Her work focuses on education, development aid, migration, and promoting Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR).

Anke brings a unique perspective and unwavering dedication to creating a fairer society. Join Anke and E-UNITY as we empower and stimulate the political participation of less privileged groups for a brighter future.

TESSA

SANNE FOEKENS

Tessa Sanne Foekens (Tessa/she/her) joined E-Unity after participating in a project with our founder, Anke. Together they share a passion for promoting inclusivity, equity and accessibility.

Tessa is currently pursuing two masters, one in International Relations (International Security) and one in Middle-Eastern Studies. Tessa’s work, research and advocacy focuses on human rights, securitization, intercultural communication, education, migration, development cooperation, politics, intersectionality and the climate.

"If you are interested in supporting marginalized peoples in their attempts at creating a safer and more accessible world, I would love to meet you at E-Unity!👍"

JINAN

ALI ZAAITER

Jinan Zaaiter, a seasoned youth worker with years of experience in implementing projects and sessions. Having a background in empowering women through dedicated advocacy focused on challenging social taboos. Leveraging years of experience.

"I have spearheaded national and regional campaigns aimed at raising awareness. My commitment extends to continuous learning about diverse cultures, their dynamics, and prevailing taboos. Additionally, I curated a podcast dedicated to addressing social taboos, reflecting my enduring enthusiasm to amplify the voices of those with less power and empower them to be heard.

CHARITY

VAN DER VELDE

Charity van der Velde (she/her) is a dedicated mother of two lovely daughters who crossed paths with Anke during their shared experiences as working students. Their immediate connection was driven by a shared passion for creating a more inclusive, supportive, and empathetic future. Charity has a professional background in Cultural Anthropology and Public Administration and has worked for the Ministry of Economic Affairs. She has an extensive history of volunteering related to knowledge exchange, community building, youth development & employment, social impact activities and local- and global changemaking. As a critical thinker with a strong commitment to positive change, she is a perfect fit for E-UNITY’s mission.

THE ADVISORY
BOARD

Without further ado, we are thrilled to introduce the esteemed members of our Advisory Board, a dedicated team of experts hailing from various walks of life. These accomplished individuals bring a wealth of experience, knowledge, and insights to our organization. They are here to actively guide us in fulfilling our mission, achieving our objectives, identifying funding opportunities, and expanding our network.

ABIGAIL

CEESAY

Abigail Ceesay is a young professional at the United Nations Development Programme headquarters in New York. In 2022, she was selected as one of only 38 participants out of 5,254 applicants for the African Young Women Leaders Fellowship Programme. Abigail has a Political Science background and specialises in Political Economy and International Relations. Abigail’s expertise, passion and unwavering enthusiasm for development uniquely position her to advise organisations like E-UNITY, which share a common vision of empowering individuals, ensuring access to rights, and promoting freedom of expression for a brighter future.

MAXIME

VAN BOVEN

Maxime van Boven is a young politician representing the dynamic community of Amsterdam East in the District Committee. With a background in Cultural Anthropology, her work centers around promoting social engagement, inclusivity, and active participation. Maxime is committed to fostering a stronger, more connected community that values the voices of all its members. With her expertise and dedication, she is well-positioned to advise and collaborate with organizations like E-UNITY, which share the vision of empowering individuals, ensuring access to rights, and promoting freedom of expression for a brighter European future.

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