Meet the team: Wendy

Last but not least, it's time to introduce Wendy, founder & managing director of Delivering Happiness in the Netherlands.

Wendy Kouwenhoven

(Freya writes): "Wendy runs Delivering Happiness and Inspire Amsterdam with dedication, passion and an endless resource of energy. When I visited the first edition of Inspire Amsterdam in 2013, Wendy's focus and drive convinced me of the fact that Happiness is, indeed, a serious business.

Wendy is an expert in creating open, personal and energizing environments, whereby each individual and each idea is considered at its optimal value. I find her leadership truly inspiring for the way she steers by letting go. Or, as she puts it: 'If you let loose, you have two hands to work with.'

Wendy's background in sports health and coaching gives her invaluable knowledge about balancing energy and resources. She naturally lives by these values and shares them with those around her. That's why it is such a pleasure to work with Wendy!"

Meet the team: Freya

 We're pleased to introduce our team member Freya, head of marketing!

Freya de Mink

Wendy introduces Freya: "Few people are both 'left-brained' and 'right-brained' thinkers, popular science tells us. Usually either the creative-artistic or analytic prevails. Freya is an exception.

She plays the piano better than anyone and conducted large music theatre productions. But at the same time, she is a researcher with a great sense of language. 

Freya approached us stating: 'I know the worlds of music and science well, but something is missing. The missing link is business. The higher purpose of your organization is very appealing: With happiness we can make a difference!'

Freya offered to join the team, what an extraordinary gift! She is eager to learn, a creative and analytical thinker. Her input leads our work into unexpected directions."

Meet the team: Monika

 We're pleased to introduce our team member Monika, head of hospitality!

Monika Guys

This is how we met: “My partner and I [Wendy] were invited to a piano concert at the Royal Concertgebouw in Amsterdam. During the diner for invitees, one waitress caught the eye. Monika was delivering happiness through her outstanding service and hospitality.

She had a remarkable attention for all her guests and for the meals she served. She spoke to colleagues when needed. She stood up straight, shoulders back, without interruption. She kept an eye on everything and had everything covered.

Monika's excellent service reminded me of the hospitality experienced once, when I visited Indonesia. I couldn’t escape the thought that true hospitality simply doesn’t fit the Dutch Calvinist style well. In Indonesia they don’t even had a word for hospitality; it is ingrained in their way of being, so naturally. This is exactly what Monika brought.

That evening, I also noticed that she wasn’t trained as a waitress. She made a slightly clumsy scene when stacking plates, but to no one’s annoyance. Her smile and attention made it simply a minor issue. I couldn’t leave that evening without giving her my business card, and this is how Monika joined our team Delivering Happiness.

Monika is a legal expert. The legal profession disappointed her when she experienced that making money prevailed over helping people. On 20 March you are warmly invited to share the same experience I had at the Royal Concertgebouw. Enjoy Monika’s hospitality at Inspire Amsterdam 2014!"