“Another world is not only possible, she is on her way. On a quiet day, I can hear her breathing.”
About Pieternel
Pieternel has over fifteen years of experience as an education specialist, particularly in curriculum development, quality control, innovation, digitalization and leadership. She has worked in a wide variety of roles, i.a. as a quality manager, teacher trainer, curriculum and program developer, change and innovation manager and educator. Her academic background is in interdisciplinary social sciences, human rights and conflict studies (Utrecht University) and international educational development, with a specialization in peace education (Columbia University).
Co-workers and employees characterize Pieternel as passionate, reliable, articulate, analytical, trustworthy, having a sense of humor and capable of quickly overseeing complex situations and dynamics. She turns ideas and vision into action. An excellent networker, Pieternel is energetic and positive, strong in building relationships. She easily engages with a great diversity of stakeholders and bridges cultures, backgrounds and areas of expertise.
Striving for diversity and inclusion in human resource management, communication strategy and project content has been a central focus in her work. Pieternel is passionate and outspoken about women’s and LGBTQIA+ rights, equality, equity and anti-racism.
Pieternel lives with her husband and two daughters in Amsterdam Southeast, where she is an active member of the community. She is a student at the Gerrit Rietveld Academy’s Orientation Year (2023-2024) and loves using her hands to create (sourdough bread, a lush garden, ceramics, gell printing, drawing and (face) painting). Plants, laughing with friends, cute coffee places, dancing, cycling, wandering in primeval forests, all-season swimming in natural waters, taking photographs and DIY-ing are her happy places.
Why “Studio A-Z”?
Anyone that knows Pieternel, knows how fitting her name actually is. Pieternel (from Petronella / Petros) means “rock” or “stone.” She is someone you can build on, who is authentic, trustworthy and steadfast. Someone who commits to see things through, from start to finish, from “A-Z”.
To embolden and empower Pieternel’s daughters in a world that often disempowers women (especially women of color), they were given powerful names. Pieternel’s firstborn is named Amari, signifying “strength”, “forever” and “(to) love” in various languages. To lightheartedly symbolize the birth of her second being her final child, they chose a name with a Z: Zaya, meaning “woman who wins”, “destiny” and “happiness” in various languages. From Amari to Zaya, from “A-Z”.
Finally, “studio” was chosen to signify the making, the creating, the creativity in Pieternel’s work and life.