FOUNDATION TEAM

Kieke van Maarschalkerwaart is the project manager of the Jimmy Nelson Foundation. She has the heart of a true adventurer and story-teller. Having traveled the world as a tour guide, she was also the camerawomen joining Jimmy Nelson to his travels in Siberia and Papua.

 

“No journey is the same and it is always surprising to see what crosses your path. I like to be challenged to stay inventive and creative: whether this is an adventurous far away destination, or more relaxed, and close-by home.”

Souraya is the chair and treasurer of the Jimmy Nelson Foundation and partner at the executive search firm Holtrop Ravesloot. She specializes in female leadership and diversity in the broad sense of the word.

“Cultural heritage in all its forms gives us better insights in understanding, valuing, caring and enjoying. Through the foundation we can help young talent, interested in different cultures, develop their skills.”

Eduardo Kobra (Brazil) is one of the most well-known and upcoming street artists in the world. He is famous for this massive colourful murals of human portraits around the world and for his latest series called “Las Ethias” (Ethics) in Porto Rio, Brazil. The idea of these murals is to show that all humans are connected and united.

 

“When I decided to create a project in Brazil about the preservation of the Indigenous culture, Jimmy Nelson’s photos inspired me – and keep inspiring me – to carry on. That’s why it’s a huge privilege for me to be chosen as an ambassador of the Jimmy Nelson Foundation. My goal will be to raise awareness about the fantastic tribes that we still have on our planet.”

As a well-known Dutch actress and TV host, Sophie has seen and traveled a lot around the world. In her work, she has also touched upon issues around mental health and emotional well-being.

 

“We can really learn from indigenous people and their way of life. For quite some time now, I have concerned myself with matters of depression, burn-outs and the western world. One feels the loss of certain values, that have disappeared in our own culture. This is why we have to keep looking at these people, to learn or re-discover (and feel intuitively) what is truly important.“

Henk Bakboord is a Dutch dance pioneer and facilitator of youth empowerment workshops. For Henk, dance brings people closer together.

 

“If anything, dance and movement are intercultural: everywhere in the world people dance and it brings people together.”