Meet Maaike

ColourFields was founded by Maaike van der Velden. Maaike has a rich experience in the non-profit as well as in profit, national and international organisations. Her drive is always to contribute to the world around her and to empower people. Maaike is trained as a coach, organisation development consultant and HR / People professional. She mainly works with positive psychological methods and has a pragmatic attitude.

Education & registration

  • Nobco  member (Nederlandse orde van beroepscoaches)
  • Coach Intensive – Nonons 
  • Chief Happiness Officer – Gelukkig Werken Academie
  • Postmaster on Art of Intervention   – Instituut voor Interventiekunde
  • AMID post master programme Development Studies – Radboud University Nijmegen
  • Master Culture Organisation & Management – Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

More about Maaike

Since my childhood, I have had a passion for African cultures and countries. It was therefore no surprise that at the age of 19, I travelled to Kenya and Tanzania. After this journey, I started my Master’s in Culture Organization and Management, and I graduated with the theme “impact of HIV/AIDS within the police in South Africa”. This was followed by a career in the fight against HIV/AIDS, during which I was able to work in many countries and with fantastic and inspiring people.

 My talents and curiosity then drove me to personal and organisational development. After following a post-master’s in the art of Intervention, I decided to gain experience in a more corporate context. I coached and trained people in communication and leadership skills. The work was fantastic, but I missed relevance, impact and a greater purpose.

 In 2016, I decided to go work at Akvo as an HR/People manager. Akvo is an international NGO that creates data solutions for governments, the UN and NGOs.

In 2020 the concept of ColourFields was born and early 2021 I officially started. Read more about the name and the why of colourfield. 

Through working all these years in a diverse and multicultural environment, I learned to listen, to observe and to let go of my own preconceived ideas. I believe this is the fundament of proper coaching and training practices.

KvK: 8128803 / BTW: NL003559818B35