Tessa Speelman Researcher & advisor

As a researcher & advisor, Tessa is working at DRIFT on various topics and projects. She is convinced cross-domain collaboration is key to successful transitions. Her approach is creative – she loves to challenge people to expand their horizons, using the power of imagination. She is a sharp process person who is always trying to bridge science and practice.

Tessa has a background in public administration and organisational theory (BSc bestuurs- en organisatiewetenschap at Utrecht University and an MSc International Public Policy & Management with Erasmus University Rotterdam). Prior to starting at DRIFT, she worked for Möbius as an advisor and project manager on change processes in the public sector. Before that, she was an advisor and futures researcher for Futureconsult, an agency specialising in strategic foresight, where she generated and developed future scenarios. These were used as a tool in citizen participation tracks for various municipalities, triggering useful forward-looking conversations between residents, (societal) partners and civil servants.

Tessa likes to spend her time off outside, hiking, sailing or playing tennis. She’s also been a violinist for 20 years, performing regularly with the Nota Bene orchestra.