I worked as an actress and drama teacher, founded the European League of Institutes of the Arts – ELIA and now I work as an independent consultant and advisor. Some of my current functions are: Member of the Board of Governors (Hochschulrat) of the University of the Arts Berlin; the Advisory Board (Raad van Advies) of the University Groningen (Rijksuniversiteit); Advisor Dutch Performing Arts Fund (Fonds Podiumkunsten).
After a study English/Dutch languages I was trained at the Theaterschool in Amsterdam. In the 80’ties I worked as an actress, theatre director and writer and I taught drama at the Theaterschool in Amsterdam where I also served as member of the board. In this capacity I played a role in the merger process of what today is the Amsterdam University of the Arts.

In 1990 I founded the European League of Institutes of the Arts – ELIA and I have been the organisation’s Executive Director since. I gave leadership to the development of ELIA into a well established and influential international network.

On a regular basis I am invited as key note speaker, panel member, MC for conferences and I serve in various national and international boards.

For my accomplishments I was knighted ‘Chevallier dans l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres’, awarded an Honorary Fellowship by the Hong Kong Academy of Performing Arts and Music, a Degree of Doctor of Arts by Columbia College Chicago and an Honorary Doctorate by the Robert Gordon University in Aberdeen.

On the occasion of my leaving ELIA a roundtable discussion with politicians, journalists and cultural experts was organised on the theme Europe City Culture.