We are kicking off the April 2021 Brand The Change Academy in just two short weeks. We're so proud to present the cohort to the world. Sixteen participants, nine nationalities, ten different sectors. Sixteen unique individuals taking the leap to build the brand they deserve. Will you join us in cheering them on?

Chris Konijn - The Netherlands
Chris is the founder of Fitter Club (which, to be honest, we should all be a part of?) in Utrecht. The fitness industry is a crowded space and constantly changing. Chris is determined to stay ahead of the pack to help more people get into shape and leave healthy, fulfilling lives.

Thu Nguyen - Vietnam

Thu is bringing Public Narrative training to a new generation of Vietnamese leaders. Public Narrative is perhaps best known as the foundation for Barack Obama’s successful presidential campaign back in 2008. Thu joins us to help her spread awareness of the method and enlist talented young leaders to the programme.

Jan Lemmens - The Netherlands

Jan did not discover how unique his brain was until later in life. As a coach, he now supports people with dyslexia to embrace their ‘other-ness’ as a positive force in life. Jan joins us to better articulate has unique value proposition and grow his customer base.

Maximus Malandain - France/USA

Maxime is creating a training programme for people who want to turn their passion into a professional, financially sustainable business. He is joining us for an extra set (or 16) of eyes, ears and brains before he goes live this spring.

Jessica Belles - The Netherlands

Jessica is the Deputy Director of the Museum of the Mind: a museum that brings attention to the beautiful, brilliant, challenging computer between our ears. Jessica is strengthening the museum’s online presence and will use the programme to further craft its story.

Andi Cuddington - Canada

There are people in the world whose work is extremely valuable, but whose job description is not as straightforward as a doctor, lawyer or teacher. Andi joins us to do justice to her unique expertise by putting it to words that will resonate with other humans.

Gisele Medeiros - Brazil/The Netherlands
Gisele is a brand professional who recently moved from Brazil to the Netherlands. She has to build her reputation and network in a new country where almost everything seems different than at home. She joins us to better brand her branding practice for impact.

Niek de Greef - South Africa
As the Design Manager for Precision Agriculture, Niek has the challenging task of building a brand that aims to reach 100 million smallholder farmers through mobile phone-based training. Niek is interested in levelling up his strategic skills to meet the challenge.

Melissa Mbugua - Kenya

Melissa has made it her life’s work to expand social and economic opportunities in Africa through the creative industries. She is the co-founder of Africa Podfest, inspiring and elevating African podcasters by building a sustainable and inclusive podcasting industry across Africa. She joins us to take the Africa Podfest brand to the next level.

Howard Drakes - South Africa

Howard is a seasoned storyteller from the continent where all stories originate: Africa. Howard joins us to level up his knowledge of the full brand development process and brings in one of his impact client’s cases as a case study.

Veronica Fossa - Italy

After shutting down her food business in 2020, Veronica is reinventing herself with a new venture focussed on amplifying the voices of women in the world of business. We are so excited to support a woman who is supporting other women - the butterfly effect in practice.

Edo Paymans - The Netherlands

Edo is creating a line of CBD infused sparkling drinks, and knows the brand for his product will be the critical factor in his success. He joins us to get ‘Holy Ganja’ off to a sparkling start.

Ines Baccouche - Tunisia/France
Ines is on a mission to change how the world sees artists from the MENA region. She will be further tuning the brand of her galleryArt for Ness’ during the programme.

Josephine Karianjahi, - Kenya

Josephine is Melissa’s co-founder at Africa Podfest. Josephine’s professional experience spans across social impact , creativity and new media - podcasts are the perfect intersection of her expertise and passion.

Anton Vanhoucke - The Netherlands

Together with his business partner Gert-Jan, Anton supports companies and individuals to adopt an agile mindset and process. The revelation at SCRUM academy is that this doesn’t just make people more innovative and effective, it also creates happier teams. He joins the programme with Gert-Jan to tease out that bigger picture of SCRUM and put it in the spotlight.

Gert-Jan Danenberg - The Netherlands

Born agile, Gert-Jan applies the methods he teaches to others to everything he does. We can’t wait to see him in action in the brand-building process!