People

The Public Matters consultants team currently consists of experts in public affairs, lobbying and communication management. They all have working experience in parliament, company, ministry, or public interest groups. For example as advisor to a Member of (European) Parliament, Minister, as in-house lobbyist or civil servant. Consultants are societal and/or politically active and are experienced campaigners. They -- as "consultants of swing" -- all have knowledge of the decision making process at municipality, province, national ('The Hague') and EU level, and have in-depth knowledge in precise timing and shaping messages that will help changing perceptions of relevant key players. The network with civil servants, ministers, journalists, MP’s, opinion leaders, political advisors, etc. is used for client purposes when this is supportive for realizing an ambition. Based on day-to-day experience, consultants regularly give training and workshops. Public Matters is the first Dutch independent firm with a Code of Conduct. Regularly, the agency has vacancies for consultants and senior consultants.

Peter van Keulen (founder& director) -- Was responsible for public affairs of the Dutch operating companies of Ahold, including Albert Heijn, Gall &Gall and Etos. Worked as a PR/ PA consultant at an international consulting firm, for which he also worked in Washington DC. Was also advisor of a member of parliament. Graduated at Leiden University (Public Administration), interned for Shell Public Affairs, worked with Dutch Chamberof Commerce in New York and studied at the London School of Economics. Founder, chairman and honorary-member of the Association for Public Affairs Professionals in the Netherlands, with more than 400 members. Also member of the King William I Circle, and co-founder of the King William IV Circle (with pa-professionals of profit and nonprofit sector). Member of the Board of Trustees of Save the Children Netherlands, and member of the Machiavelli Foundation. Lectures and gives workshops on public affairs and lobbying, including at Campus The Hague, Leiden University.

Friso de Jong (senior consultant / partner) -- Counsels various clients on strategic lobbying in the health care sector. Furthermore, he advices clients on transport- and mobility issues. Is active within a political party on municipality level. Active in the Dutch Association for Public Affairs, responsible for contact with universities and educational institutes. Was previously employed at Science Alliance in the Hague, as consultant on innovation and knowledge valorisation. Holds a master degree in Public Administration (Leiden University), worked as coordinator of the European Public Administration Network (EPAN) at the University of Limerick, Ireland. Joined Public Matters in 2005.

Miriam Offermans (senior adviser / director) -- Was political advisor to the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economic Affairs in "Purple II” Cabinet. Worked for the Ministry of Economic Affairs (Directorate General Economic Policy), as counsel of the director-generals meeting and support on the Economic Policy Committee and Councils of Ministers in Brussels. Held various other (European) positions within the Ministry of Economic Affairs (coordinator Competitiveness Council, Dutch aid expert and representative Council ECSC). Worked for a European lobby consulting firm and was involved in several Europe-wide public affairs and lobbying campaigns. Started career in 1991 working for a MEP and was actively involved in the European elections of 1994. Studied at the University of Amsterdam, both European Studies and French. Interned at the European Commission. Holds various governing positions including: member of the board of the European Movement Netherlands (since 2011), Member of the Program Advisory Board of Heritage Arena (joint initiative between Heritage and the Netherlands Reinwardt Academy, since 2010). Was previously a member of the field commission of European Studies at the Hague University, and board member of the European Youth Parliament South Holland. Joined Public Matters in 2004.  

Anna Herweg (consultant) -- Political Science / International Relations graduate from the University of Amsterdam, and graduated in European Politics from the University of Edinburgh. Worked as country specialist at the Refugee department of Amnesty International. Specializes in policy analyses, issue and stakeholdermappings and advices in lobby trajectories. Operates in the field of energy, IT, cure, tourism and copyrights. Is actively member for a local department of a political party in Amsterdam, and was active in several local election campaigns. Gives political skills trainings in the Middle East and Central and Eastern Europe. Is member of the Board of the MEP Foundation, responsible fort he organization of the Model European Parliament in the Province of South Holland.  

Fennand van Dijk (consultant) -- Was advisor (economic affairs) to Members of Parliament. Also worked as staff-member and researcher for a scientific institute of a political party. Studied Political Science and Political Philosophy in Leiden, Amsterdam and Austin (USA). Is active in the boardof several societal organizations and is experienced campaigner for elections both on national and local level. Gives regularly training on politics, campaigning and public affairs in Central and Eastern Europe and is currently writing a book on religion and politics. 

Eveline Matroos (Office Manager) -- Started to work as a secretary for the museum Maurithuis in The Hague. She continued her career at the Ministry of Economic Affairs as secretary of the Adjunct Secretary-General, States secretary and then Minister of Economic Affairs. Worked as an Office Manager for The Financial Institute in Curaçao from December 2007 until the summer of 2011.

Geert Meijering (junior consultant) -- Studied History of International Relations (MA) at Utrecht University and Queen's University Belfast. Also holds an MA-degree in Philosophy from VU University (Amsterdam). Gained political experience as vicepresident of a major political youth organisation and as political assistant in the city council of his residence Utrecht. Has been involved in several election campaigns and regularly gives political trainings in Eastern Europe.

Klaas-Jeroen Terwal (junior consultant) -- Studied International Relations and InternationalOrganisation (IR/IO) at the University of Groningen. Worked for a political party in Dutch parliament and in European Parliament. Gained political experience as president of a political youth organisation. Was chairman of a national young entrepreneurs organization. Is currently a member of the European Affairs committee of a political party.

Cees Westera (senior consultant / partner) -- During study Public Administration in Rotterdam, he became (locally) active for a political party. Then worked three years as an assistant to a Member of the House of Representatives (who later became minister). Was involved in several election campaigns. Among other experience with integrated communication/public affairs campaigns, pa-reputation research and public affairs and lobbying training. Active in energy- and health care sector (a.o.). Responsible for managing the Monitoring- and Intelligence Team within Public Matters. Was involved in the Association for public affairs professionals. Member of the King William IV circle. Has close ties with Sweden where he followed several (language) courses. 

Pieter van Schaijk (junior consultant) -- Holds a Bachelor's degree in Communication and Information Studies (Radboud University Nijmegen) and a Master's degree in Political Communication (University of Antwerp). Fulfilled a traineeship at Public Matters during his study. Is member of a political Party.  

Pieter Walraven (consultant) -- Holds bachelor degree in public management. Worked as a lobbyist, association manager and spokesperson for the Dutch Retail Association where he represented the interest of the Dutch retail companies. On behalf of the retail sector he worked on issues like: waste management, sustainability, privacy, safety and security and real estate. Also worked as association manager for the DIY-sector and was initiator of a foundation for fraud prevention and a collective recycle organization for lighting products. Is experienced in conducting a integrated media- and communication strategy in lobbying campaigns. Is involved in a local branch of a political party. 

Hugo Lantain (junior consultant / researcher) -– Studied History of International Relations at Utrecht University. Worked at the national headquarter of a political party. Member of the national campaign team. Responsible for speakers coordination and internal affairs. Has been involved in an election campaign. Is active on a local level for a political party and is responsible for training and master classes.

Rosalinde Kranenburg (Trainee) –- Studied Public Administration at Leiden University (Bachelors) and studied Political Science at Stockholm University in Sweden. Will start a Master in 'Public Policy Lobbying and Media' at Leiden University in September 2012. Member of a political party and several committees of one of the main student associations in Leiden.