Aangemeld als:
filler@godaddy.com
BETH ST. JOHN
CORNELIA DINCA
CORNELIA DINCA
FOUNDER & EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
FOUNDER & EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
I launched Aspire Institute after being personally inspired while traveling with a group of American students in the Netherlands and internalized the immensely positive impact of having young people immerse themselves in a culture that takes a progressive approach to urban design and climate change mitigation.
My professional background is in business and international program development in the areas of volunteering and service learning, as well as cultural and language immersion. Previously, I've held leadership positions at several internationally focussed nonprofits and have developed and launched programs in Asia, Latin America and Europe.
Philosophically, I feel it's crucial that all Aspire Institute programs include a focus on equity and environmental advocacy, as well as showcase inspiring solutions to challenges we are facing due to climate change. Through Aspire, I hope to inspire people to become more knowledgeable environmental advocates and activists.
CORNELIA DINCA
CORNELIA DINCA
CORNELIA DINCA
SUSTAINABILITY & EUROPEAN PROGRAMS ADVISOR
I am the founder of Sustainable Amsterdam and Delegations Lead for Amsterdam Smart City. I have worked on climate change, waste management, and urbanism projects in Vancouver and Amsterdam, and my work with Sustainable Amsterdam focuses on knowledge exchange and capacity building for international
SUSTAINABILITY & EUROPEAN PROGRAMS ADVISOR
I am the founder of Sustainable Amsterdam and Delegations Lead for Amsterdam Smart City. I have worked on climate change, waste management, and urbanism projects in Vancouver and Amsterdam, and my work with Sustainable Amsterdam focuses on knowledge exchange and capacity building for international delegations interested in best practices for sustainable and smart urban development. My role at Aspire is to assist with making connections to local experts, provide general expertise on program development, and at times lead tours in Amsterdam.
ADVISORS & INTERNS
Pradyumn Arora
Aditya Praveen Pandey
Pradyumn Arora
2025 Intern
Program Development & Facilitation
Leiden University College
The Hague, NL
I am a student of International Development at Leiden University College in The Hague. I am passionate about sustainability, social justice and alternate ways of development for the Global South. My aim is to create an inclusive and informative environment for all to learn about sustainability and see how people can incorporate it into their lives. Besides this, I have previously worked in advocating fairer representation and accessibility for students coming from weaker socio-economic backgrounds. My other interests include Bollywood films, listening to music and going on long walks. I am enthusiastic about taking these passions forward and scaling up the advocacy I do with Aspire.
Sara Losonci
Aditya Praveen Pandey
Pradyumn Arora
2025 Intern
Program Development & Facilitation
Leiden University College
The Hague, NL
I am a Hungarian student, majoring in Governance, Economics and Development at Leiden University College the Hague. My primary interest within my major encompasses the intersection between Sustainability and Policy, which is what I hope to further in my role at ASPIRE. Specifically, I hope to gain a better understanding of how sustainability manifests in urban planning, and how these principles and policies can be both effectively, and equitably applied across different contexts. My other academic pursuits pertain to the field of advocacy and human rights. Currently, I am the Chair of The Amnesty International Student Group of the Hague, and I have undertaken a Research internship at Amnesty Hungary. Additionally, I am also engaged in playing football in a women’s student league in The Hague.
Aditya Praveen Pandey
Aditya Praveen Pandey
Aditya Praveen Pandey
2025 Intern
Program Development & Facilitation
University of Amsterdam
Amsterdam, NL
I am a 19 year old Media and Culture student from India, currently studying at the University of Amsterdam, with a strong interest in fashion and events. I have been actively involved in fashion societies where I focus on sustainability and community-driven initiatives. I bring a professional and enthusiastic energy to every project and care deeply about sustainable development.
My aim is to create meaningful cultural impact through fashion and media, using creativity as a tool for awareness, inclusion, and change. I am excited about the opportunity to work with Aspire, learn from the professionals involved, and contribute my own perspective and vision to the cause.
Veronika Vygon
Veronika Vygon
Veronika Vygon
ADIVSOR
Equity & Youth Activism
Co-Founder Zetje In & Freelancer
I am the co-founder of Zetje In, which is an organization that develops inclusive educational programs for primary and secondary schools in The Netherlands. The aim is to provide the future generations an understanding of the cultural diversity in our country, as well as an overview of how the Dutch colonial past still plays a role in modern society. Apart from that, I study Political Science at the University of Amsterdam with a specialization in Public Policy and Governance. With my position at Aspire I hope to activate students from all over the world to understand and criticize policies in their own countries and stimulate them to be politically active in a creative manner.
Lakiescha Tol
Veronika Vygon
Veronika Vygon
ADVISOR
Equity & Youth Activism
Co-Founder Zetje In & PPLE Student, Chair of PPLE Diversity
Zetje In is an organization dedicated to enhancing diversity & inclusivity in primary and secondary education by integrating critical topics like racism and discrimination into the curriculum. Led by my colleagues Veronika Vygon, Sohna Sumbunu, and myself, our initiative, out of which Zetje In was born, resulted in a successful parliamentary petition in 2020 which prompted governmental action. Currently we are focused on developing teaching packages for schools and raising awareness through several mediums.
Aside from my involvement at Zetje In, I am a Politics, Psychology, Law, & Economics (PPLE) student majoring in Law at the University of Amsterdam. Here, I am assuming the role of chairperson within the PPLE Diversity Board. Driven by my experiences with Zetje In and the PPLE Diversity Board, I am enthusiastic about contributing my insights to Aspire. I wish to offer guidance and help facilitate workshops to drive positive change.
Sohna Sumbunu
Veronika Vygon
Sohna Sumbunu
ADVISOR
Equity & Youth Activism
Co-Founder Zetje In & film student at HKU
I’m a film student from Amsterdam. Besides my passion for film, I'm very passionate about fostering inclusivity in education. In 2020, Lakiescha, Veronika and I initiated a citizens’ initiative that successfully transformed into a parliamentary motion, marking a step toward a more inclusive Education in the Netherlands. Currently, I'm engaged with our organisation ‘Zetje In’, which translates as ‘putting your best foot forward’. In both my films and Zetje In, I aim for a broader and more positive representation of minorities.
Augustine Brule
Augustine Brule
Augustine Brule
ADVISOR
PPLE student
Chair of Students for Sustainability Amsterdam (SFSA)
I am a PPLE student at the UvA and within Aspire I hope to be able to show other students how fun while sustainable life can be in Amsterdam!
SFSA was born in 2012 from a merger of sustainable associations from the UvA and the HvA. It is an independent association, ope
ADVISOR
PPLE student
Chair of Students for Sustainability Amsterdam (SFSA)
I am a PPLE student at the UvA and within Aspire I hope to be able to show other students how fun while sustainable life can be in Amsterdam!
SFSA was born in 2012 from a merger of sustainable associations from the UvA and the HvA. It is an independent association, open to students anywhere in Amsterdam, and it focuses on raising awareness and educating about sustainability to combat climate change. We also collaborate with other associations to have a greater reach (Taste Before you Waste, Green Offices, SVM, CREA). Before I was part of one of our three different committees; the event committee which works on community building and education through workshops, get together, swaps. The content committee shares blog posts, news, tips, recipes and promotes on our socials. The GreenDocs committee works on creating our biggest events which take the form of a documentary showing followed by a panel discussion on a sustainability related topic. For example the impact of armed conflict on climate change, or sustainable urbanization in Amsterdam.
Oskar Alexander
Augustine Brule
Augustine Brule
2023 INTERN
The Blake School
Systems Thinking
Aveline Carroll
Augustine Brule
Aveline Carroll
2023 INTERN
The Blake School
Sustainable Fashion