Natasja van der Velden

Job summary/responsibilities

Natasja provides executive support to Edwin and assist the Management Team when needed for many years. She oversees the internal Studyportals corporate meetings and some strategic projects.  As enthusiastic and driven as she is, her main purpose is to keep everyone organized and happy. Her role as Business Development Manager is to connect with universities and institutions to build long term win-win partnerships and helping them to match with students to find their best education opportunities! Her combined role as Executive Assistant and Business Development Manager at Studyportals offers her the best of both worlds.

General introduction/background

Natasja studied Facility & Hotel Management in Maastricht, always felt the desire to broaden her horizon and to discover other cultures. She has moved, worked, and studied abroad (Paris, Singapore and London) to become an expert in organizing international conferences, worked at UCL and in international promotion & sales.  As an entrepreneur she has organized all sort of activities and festivals to assist internationals to feel at home in their new environment and is still active as a regional Ambassador to assist spouses in connecting them to the local economy in Brainport. 

Key challenge

To contribute to Studyportals’ Mission by enabling and supporting our Chief Opportunities Officer and to share our mission externally by building new and long-term relationships in the EMEA region, ensuring students worldwide receive unbiased access to education opportunities. 

Personal Goal 

To continue to follow my gut feel at work but also in my private life. By being able to be yourself, knowing what you value in business and pleasure, by counting your blessings, you’re able to enjoy life and have fun! 

Favorite activities

Natasja loves travelling with her family, to walk and enjoy the beauty of nature, to moonlight, to make furniture, to sculpture, to party, to play a game with her kids and above all to go out and spend time with her loved ones and best friends.