I am Anne, Future Leader.
As the founder of bigmamma.net I empower and connect young people who care for the planet.

The story of Anne Walraven

We are enthusiastic social entrepreneurs who stand for a better world

About us

Our roots

The first Future Leaders program took place in the Gambia in 2006. Social-minded, ambitious and talented students from the Netherlands and the Gambia worked on personal leadership challenges and relevant local cases, under the guidance of experienced business mentors. This journey led to long-term connections and sustainable results. Under the wings of our ‘mother company’ Better Future, we organised similar Future Leaders programs in India, Ecuador, Surinam and Tanzania, a.o. for ABN AMRO Mees Pierson. Based on the impact and success of these programs, we took the step to make Future Leaders a separate entity. We are now a new company, closely working together with Better Future as our partner, yet 100% focusing on inspiring and developing young leaders. As yet, we have launched a diverse range of development opportunities for young talents.

Who we are?

We are enthusiastic entrepreneurs who believe in a better world. Peope who get energy from empowering young people and guiding them into action. We believe in learning environments that are firmly rooted in society. Learning by doing in a daily setting. We don’t have the answers, but we know how to create the context in which answers arise. With one leg in society and the other in business, we stand for inspiration and development.

Het Future Leaders team

Wieke's picture
Wieke van Dijken
Partner
I am Wieke, partner at Future Leaders. The moments I treasure most are the moments when people feel and use their full potential. I get energy to guide and stimulate young people in this proces. Connection is the key word. The connection with yourself and your surroundings. To bring worlds together and to take up challenges together, that is what I enjoy and where I believe in. Founding Future Leaders is a dream come true. We create the environment where, from out of wondering, connecting and pleasure, the most beautiful things are realised.
Chris's picture
Chris van den Akker
Partner
I am Chris, partner at Future Leaders. The saying 'Do not go where the path may lead, go instead there where is no path and leave a trail' of Ralph Waldo Emerson always gives me energy to inspire myself and others to cross boundaries. My passion is to bring the young, innovative generation together with the enthusiastic, experienced generation. My talent is to help young people and organisations realise their dream. I believe in the power of intercultural exchange and my wish is that our Future Leaders programs make the world that little bit better.
Loes's picture
Loes Berkhout
Project manager
My name is Loes, project manager at Future Leaders. My fields of passions are: (business) spirituality, people development, non violent communication, South-Africa and social entrepreneurship. It brings me happiness to plan and organise relevant, social initiatives, to make people enthusiastic, to network on a natural way and to reach the essence of people. My wish is that Future Leaders contributes to the creativity and drive of young people to take social issues as their personal challenge.
Lynn's picture
Lynn Zebeda
Consultant
My name is Lynn, freelancer at Future Leaders and founder of Dr. Monk. I was participant of the first Future Leaders program in Gambia, in 2006. Our motto back then was 'The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams', and I believe in that more and more. I love to connect people, like I connect differents parts of the worlds and cultures inside myself. And I have a big passion for social innovation, sustainability and international development. For that reason I feel at home with Future Leaders: we stand for true connections and sustainable impact.
Milly's picture
Milly Obdeijn
Associate Consultant
From my background in singing, dancing and somatic movement coaching I work with Future Leaders on 'embodied leadership' and 'presence'. This means I learn people to effectively use their bodily intelligence and to increase their expressive and communicative skills. I enjoy working with young people from all parts of the world. It is beautiful to see that besides all cultural differences, we humans have universal desires and insecurities. We wish to be seen how we really are and we want our talents and potential to fully flourish.

Our distinctive character

A social- and a business mind

We are entrepreneurs that are rooted society. We make the connection between requirements of organisations and the needs of young talents.

Connections

Through our programs, we connect young leaders with each other and with the world around them. We also connect generations: young leaders learn from experienced leaders, and vice versa.

Experience

Since 2006, our coaches have successfully mentored hundreds of young leaders and business professionals in different parts of the world, in their personal and professional development journeys.

Innovation

The new world asks for new ways of learning. We are capable of creating out-of-the-box learning environments that truly move young leaders. Learning by doing means out of the classroom, into the world.

Inspiration

We are 100% focused on our target group. We understand how young leaders live, think, work and develop. Our programs are made with and for young leaders.

Future Leaders is een partner company van Better Future