photographer: jonne lucia op de weegh© | make-up artist: violeta marinova from art of colors
marieke renes(she/her)
coo of happybase
about
i’m marieke, born in zeeland with a ‘penny saved, penny earned’ mentality and raised in rotterdam’s ‘make it happen’ spirit. i’ve always had an entrepreneurial drive—whether collecting sow bugs at three, building my own backyard food forest, or leading teams with a people-first mindset. as a former co-owner of workmode, i learned how strategy, resilience, and the right people can shape a business. after a short break (featuring chickens, flemish giants, and a baby named nanne), i returned to work with a clear mission: driving growth while ensuring talent development isn’t just about careers, but about people thriving. now, as coo at happybase, i’m focused on scaling up our hr platform that fosters meaningful conversations—because real growth starts with strong roots.
why do you think it is important that role models need to be visible?
step up and be a role model.
seeing yourself as a role model isn’t always easy. even now, as eva meijer (founder & ceo of happybase) and i (coo of happybase) are towering over amsterdam for equals’ role model campaign, it still feels a bit surreal. i prefer keeping both feet on the ground, but if we, as women, don’t take the stage—well, men will. and then it’s not just your own spot that’s taken, but your daughter’s too. comedian and philosopher george carlin once said: “if your kid needs a role model, and you ain’t it: you’re both f*cked.” i couldn’t agree more.
so ladies: step up, be a role model. i truly believe there’s a role model in everyone. and sometimes, that means playing the part—because visibility creates possibilities. if we can do it, so can you!