February 03 2026 at 04:05AM
Meet our board member: Nicole van der Heijden, Director Marketing & Communications at PMI Netherlands
Newsletter Editor’s Note: Behind PMI Netherlands is a diverse group of professionals who volunteer their time, experience, and energy to support our community. In this new section, we invite you to get to know our board members a little better - who they are, what they do, and what motivates them to contribute beyond their day-to-day roles. In this edition, meet Nicole van der Heijden, Director Marketing & Communication at PMI Netherlands.
What is your role on the board, and what are you most excited to work on?
In my role as Director Marketing & Communication, my amazing team and I help PMI Netherlands explain what we do, why it matters, and how members can benefit. I focus on how PMI Netherlands shows up, telling our story clearly, consistently, and with a recognizable branding.
What motivated you to continue being part of the PMI NL Board?
I joined the board a year ago, and this anniversary year feels like a natural checkpoint. Not to slow down, but to sharpen the story. Connecting where we come from with where we’re heading, using communication as the glue.
What professional or personal experience do you bring to the board?
I don’t have a background in marketing & communications. I’m an organic chemist by origin. Nowadays, I’m an experienced programme and project manager, which means I treat communication like any other project: define the goal, know your stakeholders, keep scope under control, and deliver something people actually want to use.
What do you hope PMI NL members gain most from the community?
A sense that they’re not doing project management alone. That there’s a place to learn, share, question, and occasionally realise: “Ah… it’s not just me.”
A fun or human touch: something about you people might not know.
I’m a project manager who needs a bit of chaos to be creative. Don’t worry, outcomes are still delivered. The path there just isn’t always a straight line. It's more like a long hike in the mountains.
25 years from now…
I hope PMI Netherlands will be known as the place where project professionals feel connected, curious, and ready for whatever comes next. Long after today’s tools and trends have changed.
Newsletter Editor’s Note: Each board member brings a unique story and perspective. Stay tuned for the next edition, where we’ll spotlight another leader shaping the future of PMI Netherlands.
