In our new interview series “How are things going with former employees?” we speak to former employees about their time at Issuemakers. We are also curious about their current field or place of work and how they can apply the insights gained at Issuemakers there. This edition we speak to Diane van Hesteren, who currently works at Stiching CliniClowns.
How long did you work at Issuemakers?
I worked at Issuemakers from its founding until July 2020. Before that I already worked for Mayke, who then still ran Van Keep & Partners.
Where do you work now?
Since August last year I have been working as a business market relationship manager at the CliniClowns Foundation. With creativity, improvisation and humor, CliniClowns ensure that vulnerable children and people with dementia feel emotionally stronger.
For example, you will find the clowns at the hospital clinic to remove stress and anxiety prior to treatment and to give a doctor more space for his work. Cliniclowns would prefer to offer distraction and fun to all children in difficult situations and people with dementia, and that costs money. Companies that enter into partnerships with us make it possible, among other things, for the clowns to do their work.
What did you learn at Issuemakers that is still useful to you today?
Too much to mention: Thinking in terms of opportunities and possibilities, communicating with the most diverse target groups, looking for the right hooks for complex issues, applying creativity in the process that creates new insights and so on. Mayke and Sybrig encourage their employees to continue to develop, you never stop learning.
“It's very special how there has always been such a good atmosphere within the team over the years”
What do you miss most about your time at Issuemakers?
The close-knit team of socially involved, enthusiastic, smart and social fun people! It's very special how there has always been such a good atmosphere within the team over the years. That's the nice thing about working at Issuemakers!
