General Board.
Drs. Pleun Vroom – Chairman
Kirsten Haan – Project Board Member
Marco Evers – Board Member Communication and Fundraising
Frank Bakker – Treasurer
Marieke Wiersema – Secretary
Pleun Vroom is chair of the board of Globewise. In this role, she brings people and organizations together, builds support, and inspires others to contribute to sustainable social impact.
As an HR professional, she gained extensive experience at organizations such as Ahold Delhaize, Action, and Accenture. Previously, she dedicated herself to volunteer work, including coaching young people and supporting charities such as the Emma Children’s Hospital and the Johan Cruyff Foundation.
"As chair, my personal goal is to support children and young people growing up in poverty by addressing economic and social inequalities through educational initiatives."
Kirsten Haan is responsible for various education projects on the Globewise board. Together with the other members of her team, she identifies and evaluates new educational initiatives and maintains relationships with ongoing projects.
Over the past 20 years, she has been actively involved in education, serving as Managing Director of ROVC Technical Training and 112BHV, and as a member of the participation council in primary education. As a result, she understands better than most how crucial quality education is for both personal and societal development. Education provides opportunities, opens doors, and empowers people to shape their own future.
Education offers perspective, opens doors, and gives people the opportunity to shape their own future. "What drives me is the idea that every child, regardless of where they were born, has the right to opportunities. Through Globewise, I'm happy to contribute to that."
Within the Globewise board, Marco focuses on Communication and Fundraising. He has been active for over thirty years in commercial roles within the IT training sector, with the last eight years at Computrain, part of the Salta Group. Since October 2025, he has held the position of Key Account Director at Salta Group.
Education and social engagement are recurring themes throughout his career. During his time at Capgemini, Marco served as chairman of the Naandi Foundation, which supported educational projects in India. He is currently also chairman of Stichting Hartenweek, which organizes an unforgettable holiday week for people with multiple disabilities.
What drives Marco is the belief that good education lays the foundation for a better future. From that conviction, he aims to contribute his knowledge, experience, and commitment to the continued growth of Globewise, so that more children are given the opportunity to develop and break the cycle of poverty.
Frank Bakker serves as Treasurer on the Board of Globewise. As Managing Director of Markus Verbeek Praehep, he brings extensive leadership and governance experience from the fields of education, training, and professional development. Through his daily work, he sees firsthand the profound impact education can have: it enables people to grow, create opportunities, and actively shape their future.
This belief is not only professional but also deeply personal for Frank. As the father of four children and grandfather of six grandchildren, he understands the importance of giving children the opportunity to develop their talents through education. That is why he is committed to supporting Globewise, where he contributes both his financial expertise and his passion for creating positive social impact.
“Quality education can make a difference for a lifetime. Every child deserves the opportunity to develop their potential and look to the future with confidence.”
Marieke Wiersema serves as Secretary of Globewise. Since 2021, she has been working at Boertien Vergouwen Overduin, part of Salta Group, as Manager of Education. Prior to that, she spent many years in the travel industry, holding various roles related to learning and development. Learning is at the heart of her profession, and supporting the growth and development of others is what motivates her every day.
This is also why she feels strongly connected to the mission of Globewise: every child and young person deserves the opportunity to grow and develop through education. In her role as Secretary, Marieke is committed to fostering effective and positive collaboration within the board, enabling each board member to contribute their unique strengths to the ambitions of the foundation.
Other Team Members.
Ghislaine Hus – Project Team Member
Ghislaine Hus is a member of the project team within Globewise, where she is responsible for general project-related activities, including identifying new projects and conducting discussions with potential partners and initiatives. After completing her law degree, she worked as a candidate notary and later as a legal professional at a real estate office. Ghislaine has also been actively involved in local volunteer work and has been engaged with the foundation since its inception with great enthusiasm.
“I find it very meaningful to help give other children the same opportunities that we strive to provide for our own children in the Netherlands.”
Ilse de Heus – Project Team Member
Ilse de Heus is a member of the project team within Globewise. Together with her colleagues, she is continuously involved in identifying educational projects and maintaining relationships with these initiatives. Over the past years, she has traveled extensively across Africa and Asia, both professionally and personally, where she has met many people and communities. These experiences have strengthened her belief that education is essential for children to build a better future.
With her background as an investor and her solid financial expertise, she is committed to contributing to Globewise.
“I am convinced that with the right connections and the dedicated efforts of teachers and volunteers, children will have more opportunities to access education in the coming years. Over the past 20 years, a great deal has already been achieved, and many children have been able to find employment after receiving a good education. As long as this is not the case for every child, I will continue to dedicate myself to this cause.”
Quintijn Schenkel – Project Team Member
Quintijn Schenkel is a member of the project team within Globewise and is dedicated to strengthening educational opportunities worldwide. He is Manager of Education at Luzac, where he is responsible for national education policy, student guidance, and quality assurance. His experience in education spans various roles, including economics teacher, deputy headteacher, principal, and owner of a tutoring institute. In 2024, he completed his MBA in Educational Leadership at the University of Tampere.
Internationally, he has served as a member of an assessment team for private schools in Asia and has held positions on various voluntary boards focused on youth development.
“My involvement with Globewise is driven by the belief that education is a sustainable way to combat poverty and provide young people with opportunities for the future.”
Thierry Thomasse – Website & Content Manager
Thierry Thomasse came into contact with Globewise through his role as an Application Manager at Salta Group. In addition to his work, he is developing his own gamification platform with a strong social and societal focus.
Inspired by the organisation’s mission, he uses his expertise in websites, digital platforms, and online communication to further strengthen Globewise’s digital presence and contribute to greater social impact.