Top 20 Leadership Influencers in the Netherlands in 2026
The Netherlands is home to leaders shaping innovation, organizational growth, and modern management in 2026. This list features 20 leadership influencers sharing insights on executive leadership, team development, and professional success.
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Here’s the list of the Top 20 Leadership Influencers in the Netherlands in 2026:
20. Christoffel Sneijders
Christoffel Sneijders is a Master Certified Coach (MCC) and the creator of the 3 Brains Intelligence method, a neuroscience-based approach to coaching and leadership. With over 30 years of experience, he has coached more than 13,000 professionals across 42 countries. His content focuses on aligning the head, heart, and gut brains to improve decision-making, emotional intelligence, and personal transformation. He offers coaching certifications, training programs, and free assessments like the 3 Brains Dominance Test. His work is widely recognized in the coaching community, and he is a visiting professor at IE Business School and Georgetown University.
Favikon Authority Score: 4 806 pts
19. Paul Rulkens
Paul Rulkens is a renowned author and senior executive advisor specializing in strategic subtraction, helping leaders and organizations eliminate inefficiencies to reclaim bandwidth and improve performance. He is the author of 'The Michelangelo Principle' and a Senior Fellow at The Conference Board. His content focuses on business strategy, leadership, and decision-making, often shared through his weekly MasterMind newsletter and TEDx talks. Rulkens works with Fortune 2000 companies like ASML, BASF, Unilever, and Nestlé, offering actionable insights to cut complexity and drive sustained organizational success.
Favikon Authority Score: 4 828 pts
18. Bas Blekkingh
Bas Blekkingh is a renowned leadership advisor, coach, and author specializing in authentic leadership. He is the co-owner of Authentiek Leiderschap, a consultancy firm, and a lecturer at Nyenrode Business University and Governance Academy. Bas has authored bestselling books like 'Authentic Leadership' and 'Tuurlijk heb je een Ego,' focusing on leadership development and organizational culture. He creates e-learning tools to support leaders and teams in enhancing their authentic impact. Bas frequently shares insights on leadership, ego, and organizational dynamics through LinkedIn posts, often reflecting on his experiences as a leader and author. His work targets professionals and leaders aiming to strengthen their influence and responsibility in their environments.
Favikon Authority Score: 4 829 pts
17. Jeroen de Vries
Jeroen de Vries is the passionate CEO and owner of Hero, a company specializing in Interim Professionals and MSP Services. Since founding Hero in 2007, he has driven significant year-over-year growth, focusing on company culture, quality, service, and personal development. Jeroen is known for his positive and energetic leadership style, emphasizing improvement and efficiency. He frequently shares updates about Hero's growth, new initiatives, and job openings on LinkedIn. His posts often highlight company achievements, such as being named an FD Gazelle for the eleventh consecutive year and becoming the main sponsor of the Dutch national team. Jeroen also engages in AI development within Hero, showcasing his involvement in AI Exchange events and the company's AI-driven projects.
Favikon Authority Score: 4 968 pts
16. Stephanie Hottenhuis
Stephanie Hottenhuis is the CEO and Chair of the Executive Board at KPMG Netherlands, focusing on transformation and people-driven progress. Her online presence primarily showcases professional achievements, team collaborations, and organizational culture. She frequently shares insights on leadership, geopolitics, and technology, emphasizing the importance of resilience, innovation, and societal impact. Her posts often highlight KPMG's initiatives, such as AI adoption, sustainability, and employee development, while also engaging with broader societal themes like trust, art, and geopolitics.
Favikon Authority Score: 5 142 pts
15. Peter Scherjon
Peter Scherjon is a leadership consultant and entrepreneur with a focus on organizational development and personal growth. He shares insights on leadership, team dynamics, and self-improvement through LinkedIn posts and workshops. His content often includes practical advice, personal anecdotes, and reflections on leadership challenges. Peter emphasizes the importance of self-care, effective communication, and fostering a culture of continuous learning within organizations. He frequently collaborates with other professionals and organizations to deliver training programs and coaching sessions aimed at enhancing leadership skills and organizational effectiveness.
Favikon Authority Score: 5 186 pts
14. Arne van Oosterom
Arne van Oosterom is a creative leader, designer, and founder of Future Skills Academy, focusing on human-centered innovation and learning community building. He hosts the podcast 'Creative Leaders Unplugged,' where he interviews change agents and leaders from various fields. His content primarily revolves around creative leadership, design thinking, and future skills, offering training programs, coaching, and online courses. He frequently shares insights on leadership, innovation, and AI, and is involved in global collaborations, including partnerships with organizations like XONEDI India. Arne also engages in photography and art, often sharing his work and experiences in the creative field.
Favikon Authority Score: 5 223 pts
13. Marcel Molenaar
Marcel Molenaar is the Country Manager and Director of Marketing Solutions at LinkedIn Benelux, with over 25 years of experience in ICT, digital media, online sales, and marketing. He leads initiatives across Hire, Market, Sell, and Learn, fostering business growth and representing LinkedIn Benelux externally. Marcel emphasizes compassionate leadership, teamwork, and continuous learning, driving innovation in the marketing landscape. He frequently shares insights on B2B marketing, professional social media, thought leadership, and the power of networks, often speaking at industry events and contributing to LinkedIn's growth in the Benelux region.
Favikon Authority Score: 5 488 pts
12. Sander Balkenende
Sander Balkenende is a corporate anthropologist and change consultant specializing in organizational culture and leadership. He helps value-driven leaders build strong organizations by strengthening culture and structure. Through his consultancy, WaardenKracht, he offers workshops, leadership programs, and tailored solutions for organizations ranging from corporates to SMEs. Sander is also a guest lecturer at the Vrije Universiteit and an associate partner at the Academie voor Organisatiecultuur. His content on LinkedIn focuses on organizational culture, leadership, and change management, often sharing insights from anthropology and practical tools for leaders. He frequently references cultural models, philosophical concepts, and real-world examples to inspire and educate his audience.
Favikon Authority Score: 5 711 pts
11. Jan van Halst
Jan van Halst is a former professional footballer turned coach, author, and leadership trainer. He co-owns Be Robin, a company focused on leadership and team development. Jan is also an ambassador for Stichting KidsVooruit, a foundation supporting children. He frequently shares insights on leadership, team dynamics, and personal growth through his book 'Kopzorgen' and various social media platforms. His content often includes reflections on his football career, coaching experiences, and practical advice for leaders and teams. Jan is active on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Twitter, where he engages with a professional audience interested in leadership and personal development.
Favikon Authority Score: 5 917 pts
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10. Leon Schaepkens
Leon Schaepkens is a speaker, author, and expert in organizational psychology, leadership, and team development. He focuses on reinventing organizations by leveraging psychological DNA to foster intrinsic motivation, safety, connection, and autonomy. His work includes publishing bestsellers like '10 miljoen jaar leiderschap' and 'Goodbye Human Resources,' which challenge traditional HR models. Schaepkens provides practical insights through speaking engagements, coaching, and assessments, emphasizing the importance of human purpose over conventional HR practices. His content is primarily shared on LinkedIn, where he educates and inspires professionals in leadership, team dynamics, and organizational change.
Favikon Authority Score: 6 252 pts
9. Sayma Kuipers
Sayma Kuipers is a speaker and author focused on the future of work, collaboration, and collective power. She frequently shares insights on improving teamwork, psychological safety, and leadership through her LinkedIn posts, which often include personal anecdotes, scientific research, and practical advice. Her content emphasizes the balance between individual and collective responsibility, aiming to restore collective strength in organizations. Sayma has authored the book 'Het is hier net een kleuterklas' and is recognized as a LinkedIn TopVoice. She engages with a professional audience, offering actionable strategies for better collaboration and organizational growth.
Favikon Authority Score: 6 415 pts
8. Roek Lips
Roek Lips is a multifaceted creator known for his work as a speaker, author, and filmmaker. He is the co-founder of De Ontwikkelgroep, focusing on leadership development, strategy, and reputation management. Roek frequently shares insights on leadership, personal development, and meaningful living through his social media posts, often featuring collaborations with musicians and other creatives. His content includes reflections on life, love, and leadership, often accompanied by music and video portraits. Roek's work spans various sectors, including media, government, education, and healthcare, and he is recognized for his ability to inspire and provoke thought through his storytelling and public speaking engagements.
Favikon Authority Score: 6 594 pts
7. Steven van den Heuvel
Steven van den Heuvel is a management and change coach, author, and speaker specializing in guiding organizations and leaders through complex change processes. He is the author of 'Het High Impact MT' and 'High Impact Veranderen,' which provide practical insights for management teams and change trajectories. His content focuses on leadership coaching, organizational change, and strategic management, often sharing case studies, exercises, and thought-provoking questions. He frequently speaks at events, conducts workshops, and offers interim management services. His LinkedIn posts often explore philosophical and practical aspects of change, leadership, and team dynamics, blending theoretical insights with real-world applications.
Favikon Authority Score: 7 026 pts
6. Gijs van Wulfen
Gijs van Wulfen is a globally recognized innovation keynote speaker and the founder of the FORTH innovation method. With over 40 years of experience, he specializes in inspiring organizations to double their innovation effectiveness through structured methodologies. His content spans keynote speeches, workshops, and training programs, often focusing on design thinking, innovation management, and leadership. He has been awarded as the Number One Global Thought Leader on Design Thinking in 2024 and is a LinkedIn Influencer with over 310,000 followers. His work is widely recognized in countries like Saudi Arabia, the Netherlands, and Italy, where he conducts training and workshops.
Favikon Authority Score: 7 178 pts
5. Mireille Bergraaf
Mireille Bergraaf is a Master Certified Coach (MCC) with over a decade of experience specializing in transforming CEOs and managers into empathetic leaders. She is the creator of the Manager As A Coach program, which focuses on integrating empathy into leadership styles to enhance team engagement, performance, and work-life balance. Mireille frequently shares insights on LinkedIn, covering topics such as leadership development, empathetic communication, and personal growth. Her content often includes motivational posts, educational insights, and reflections on leadership challenges, aimed at helping leaders unlock their full potential and that of their teams.
Favikon Authority Score: 7 200 pts
4. Michael Krayenhoff
Michael Krayenhoff is the Co-founder and COO of Inner Circle, a dating app with over 8 million members worldwide. He shares insights on business, leadership, and relationships through his LinkedIn posts, focusing on practical advice for founders and leaders. His content often covers topics like company culture, employee retention, execution strategies, and leadership principles. Michael emphasizes the importance of clarity, trust, and consistency in building successful teams and businesses. He also provides actionable tips for improving workplace dynamics and fostering a healthy organizational culture.
Favikon Authority Score: 7 661 pts
3. Mildred Hofkes
Mildred Hofkes is a governance advisor and researcher specializing in leadership, stakeholder dialogue, AI, and future-proof governance. As the owner of Hofkes Stakeholder Intelligence, she focuses on integrating AI and human intelligence to develop innovative approaches for stakeholder-centric governance. Her work emphasizes corporate social responsibility, change management, and future-proof leadership. Hofkes is also the founder of the Young Board Academy and frequently gives lectures and interactive AI sessions. She publishes content on LinkedIn, covering topics such as governance, leadership, and societal issues, often commenting on political events and sports achievements. Her posts reflect a deep engagement with current affairs and a commitment to fostering inclusivity and sustainability in governance.
Favikon Authority Score: 7 675 pts
2. Jeroen Kraaijenbrink
Jeroen Kraaijenbrink is a strategy and change expert who helps leaders and organizations navigate uncertainty and achieve meaningful progress. He is the creator of the Big 5 of Strategy framework, which focuses on developing strategic competencies to drive organizational change. Through his LinkedIn presence, he shares practical insights on leadership, team management, and strategy implementation, often using visual aids to simplify complex concepts. His content is educational and grounded in real-world applications, aimed at professionals seeking to enhance their strategic thinking and execution capabilities. Kraaijenbrink also offers certification programs, such as the Certified Strategy & Implementation Consultant (CSIC), to further develop these skills in others.
Favikon Authority Score: 7 871 pts
1. Danielle Braun
Danielle Braun is a corporate anthropologist, author, and director of the Academie voor Organisatiecultuur. She specializes in organizational culture and leadership, offering training, lectures, and advisory services. Braun has authored several books, including 'De Corporate Tribe' and 'Building Tribes,' and frequently writes columns for various media outlets. Her content focuses on anthropological insights into organizational behavior, leadership, and cultural change. She is a sought-after speaker and event organizer, often blending scientific rigor with practical applications in her work.
Favikon Authority Score: 8 475 pts
Also See 👀
🏆 TOP 200 LEADERSHIP INFLUENCERS IN THE NETHERLANDS
FIND OUT WHO LEADS IN THEIR COUNTRY OR NICHE
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