CURRENTLY:Working at Li La Land, creating innovative products to support, inspire and challenge young children to explore the world around them. Co-authored the book 'Speel je mee in Li La Land'​ together with the amazing Irma Smegen, describing 50 detailed activities combining Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math (STEAM) with language and socio-emotional development. In addition the book provides a strong theoretical basis for a comprehensive and most importantly practical approach to primary education that is truly in tune with the development of a child's young brain and mind. WHAT I BRING:Thinking on how to describe my natural role within a group I came up with the word ‘Vonkeling’. Although it doesn’t exist in Dutch, I derived the word from ‘vonk’, meaning spark, making a Vonkeling ‘someone who sparks’. These sparks can be anything from new ideas and concepts, perspectives or insights, depending on what the situation asks for. Being an artist I’m able to compose stories with words or visuals that spark connections between the people involved. After all, data points and abstractly formulated values have never motivated people, but well-presented stories can push us to move mountains. This makes me a strong brainstormer and concept developer who can also bring different people together to make ideas become reality. My enthusiasm has been characterised as being 'contagious'​ and I love igniting other people's passions to strive for our shared goals.Marleen Vente