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Iesja brings a fresh entrepreneurial energy to Context. As co-founder of the social entrepreneurship platform SOON at the University of Utrecht she knows the current state of affairs in the sector and combines this with her background in international relations and change management. She conducts research, facilitates research processes and contributes to meaningful strategy development within Context.
After high school Iesja travelled for an extended period to Ghana and France. This experience opened her eyes to what it really means to see yourself from another perspective. To observe the world without using your own cultural values as a starting point. This taught her the meaning of compassion and humanity. Two central values which have guide her personal and professional path since.
She completed a Bachelor degree in International Relations and a Master degree in Change Management. She also participated in courses on the Art of Hosting and entrepreneurship designed by Knowmads Business School and YourLab.
In 2011 she co-founded SOON; a platform for social entrepreneurship at the University of Utrecht. She has gained extensive experience in hosting and facilitating business development trajectories and multi-stakeholder value creation. In her role at SOON, Iesja has learned valuable lessons regarding larger corporations through her work with companies like Aegon and Rabobank. She has additionally explored her creativity within smaller initiatives with ‘Academie van de Stad’ and ‘Fair2’.
Iesja combines her theoretical knowledge and hard work for different projects with a passion for kitesurfing and good food. Being outside and active brings her fresh ideas and the energy to stay focused.
Laila joined Context in August 2016. She supports the consultancy team with various projects as a junior consultant with data collection, documentation review, process tracing, data analysis and report writing. She also makes sure that the office runs smoothly.
As a global citizen, Laila has lived in various countries both in the global South and global North.
She graduated from Utrecht University in 2016 with a Master’s degree in International Development Studies and she holds a Bachelor in International Business and Languages from Utrecht as well. Laila conducted her Master thesis fieldwork in Vietnam with Hue University, where she studied the effects of urban expansion and compensation packages offered for the loss of land. She investigated the impact of urbanisation on sustainable livelihoods and food mobility shifts of farmers living in a peri-urban area in Hue.
Her aim is to position herself between theory and practice as she enjoys exploring both the academic and the practical sides of social entrepreneurship. Her interest in incorporating social entrepreneurship in the context of international development have made it a pleasure for her to join the team.