I am a renaissance woman. Mental health patient advocate. Certified compliance professional. Avid reader. Amateur writer. Passionate dancer. Animal friend. Life-long student. Free speech proponent. Human rights champion. Devil’s advocate debater.
Dutch by birth and nationality, international by blood, previous residency, education, mind and heart. Fluent in English and Dutch – with a smattering of Papiamento and Spanish. Spoke Mandarin and French at one point.
Most of my work experience is corporate, largely in executive management. My favorite jobs were ones where social impact, preferably global, was an integral part of the organization. I have been at the inception of multiple companies and departments. Transforming ideas and concepts into concrete initiatives is my jam. I’m an expert at translating between stakeholders and bringing interested parties together.
I also suffers from cPTSD – Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. After decades of experience with this disease, full of trials and tribulations, I started the Jeffry Stijn Foundation for Mental Health and Patient Advocacy to help others navigate their way through mental illness, especially in small communities with few resources. Initially the foundation will focus on Aruba, my current country of residency, but I dream of the day that each small community with limited resources in the world will have access to practical information about mental health, peer-to-peer support, legal aid and patient advocates.
Where else can you find me?
Jeffry Stijn Foundation for Mental Health and Patient Advocacy
Human Rights Activists Aruba
