Who we are

Sophie is a political economist and co-founder and director of Commons Network. She has been active in civil society for over 15 years, working from a feminist perspective on ideas, proposals and projects for a post-growth economy.

Thomas de GrootCo-director

Thomas is an activist, writer and policy advisor. He is also our co-director. Thomas has an academic background in China Studies and he worked in journalism, advertising and politics.

Alba Garcia TombasIntern

Alba is a student and activist, finishing her Global Sustainability bachelor’s at Utrecht University. During her internship, she will be involved in various projects: helping in organise events, updating the website, and conducting her thesis research.

Diane GolenvauxProject officer on Degrowth and Local Currencies

Diane has conducted research on community currencies and has been involved in various forms of activist organising. She is interested in degrowth, monetary transformation and post-capitalist finance.

Stewards and collaborators

Winne van WoerdenCollaborator on Degrowth and Caring Economy

Winne focuses on climate justice, global health and new economic thinking

Mai Ishikawa SuttonCollaborator on Digital Commons

Mai Ishikawa Sutton (they/them) is an organiser, facilitator and writer focused on the digital commons and other intersections between network technologies and the solidarity economy.

Jens KimmelCollaborator on Storytelling

Jens has worked on the urban commons and democracy for years. He is part of the Collective Goed Verhaal and writes for several Dutch newspaper and weeklies.

Supervisory board

Godelieve van HeterenChairperson of the Board

Godelieve is a global health and social transition advocate. She also chairs the Dutch European Movement.

Spring GombeBoard member

Spring Gombe-Götz is Partner and Principal at Market Access Africa.

Sandra BosBoard member

Sandra is Senior Researcher and Project Leader at the Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences and Director at Burennetwerk.