I help organisations strengthen their strategy, sharpen their positioning and build ways of working that make impact repeatable, sustainable and scalable.
Having built impact-first companies myself, I understand what it takes to make things work in practice, and how valuable it is to have someone alongside you who not only advises, but helps move things forward. I work closely with teams, bringing structure, clarity and focus, and helping turn ideas into something concrete. Hands-on, collaborative and focused on results — moving from strategy to impact.
Is this you?
You are an ambitious, impact-first organisation, making a real difference.
You are moving forward, impact is happening, but not always aligned or translated into ways of working that support growth. The team is committed, but spread across priorities. Opportunities are there, but not always turned into sustainable growth. And the value you create is not always communicated clearly enough. This slows down your impact and can create uncertainty or frustration within your team.
What you need is focus, structure and consistent execution, and a clear way to communicate your value to the right partners and funders.
If this sounds familiar, feel free to reach out.
How i work
I don’t work as an external advisor, but alongside your team, becoming a real part of the process, both on-site and remotely.
I bring structure, ask the right questions and help make decisions, creating clarity and focus.
Practical and with a hands-on, entrepreneurial approach, I help move things forward.
Together, we move from strategy to impact.
What I do
Strategy & Impact
I help organisations define their mission, sharpen their impact and make strategic choices that drive sustainable growth and clear direction.
Positioning & Growth
I help organisations translate their work into a clear and compelling positioning that resonates with partners, clients and funders, and helps attract resources to grow.
Organisation & processes
Strong impact requires a strong organisation. I help teams create structure, clarify roles and improve internal processes so organisations can operate more effectively and scale their work.
Selected work
Focus: community building and social cohesion
Challenge: growing demand, but room for stronger structure and clearer positioning
Approach: designed and implemented programme flows, organisational structure and improved communication
Focus: empowering young people to contribute to an inclusive society
Challenge: need for clearer governance, structure and decision-making
Approach: developed governance frameworks and aligned operations with the Code Sociale Ondernemingen
Focus: innovative cooling solutions for areas without reliable electricity
Challenge: entering new markets while demonstrating commercial viability and impact
Approach: led business development and secured funding for pilot projects in new markets
Focus: improving access to prosthetic care in underserved areas
Challenge: high costs, limited infrastructure and shortage of skilled technicians
Approach: developed and launched a scalable model for accessible prosthetic care
What clients say
“Merel brings structure, clarity and calm to complex processes — and delivers results. Her strategic approach helped us strengthen both our governance and our impact framework.”
Trusted by
About me
Keynotes, Awards, Lectrues, Publications
In addition to my freelance work, I am the founder of CareWithinReach B.V., a social enterprise focused on making orthopedic care accessible in Colombia.
Since 2021, it has grown into a financially sustainable model with two care centres, reaching over 3,500 people.
By turning a clear need into a working model, we created a solution that contributes to a more accessible and inclusive healthcare system.
This experience shapes how I work today: pragmatic, entrepreneurial and focused on building solutions that last. I’m based in Amsterdam, working locally and internationally.
FOUNDER OF CARE WITHIN REACH B.V
As a keynote speaker and guest lecturer at several universities, I share insights on social entrepreneurship, building organisations and scaling impact.
I was named Alumna of the Year by the University of Groningen and have received multiple awards for my work in the impact space
I have also served as a jury member for impact awards, and contributed to publications and books on social entrepreneurship and international collaboration,
My work has been featured across national and international media, including NOS Journaal, Quote, RTL Z and Business News Radio.
Who I work with
I work with impact-driven organisations that want to strengthen their strategy, improve how they work and build models that create visible and lasting impact.
From social enterprises to organisations working within larger systems, I support teams that are ready to move from ideas to structure, and from ambition to execution.
How I work
Focus of my work
My work focuses on bringing clarity to ideas, asking the right questions, and helping teams translate strategy into concrete action. I work closely alongside teams, becoming a real part of the process rather than an external advisor. With a practical and down-to-earth approach, I bring structure, focus and energy to help teams move forward and make things happen in practice.
Keynotes, Awards, Lectures
As a keynote speaker, and guest lecturer at several universities in the Netherlands, I share insights on social business. I was named Alumna of the Year by the University of Groningen and have received multiple awards for impact-driven work. I have been featured across national and international media, including NOS Journaal, Quote, RTL Z and Business News Radio.
Let’s work together
If you are working on an initiative with societal impact and want to strengthen your organisation, strategy or growth, I would be happy to connect.
Let’s build sustainable impact together.