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The Broker welcomes Sophie Koers as the new Executive Director

01 Feb 2024Hannah Terry

The board of The Broker is pleased to announce that Sophie Koers has been appointed Executive Director of the organisation, starting on February 16. Under Sophie’s leadership, The Broker is strategically poised to innovate opportunities for knowledge brokering and continue activating knowledge for a more just world.

“Throughout my career I have advocated for evidence-based global development strategies, rooted in the best knowledge available in the field. It will be a wonderful privilege for me to work for an organization that brokers knowledge across NGOs, governments, academia and businesses to enhance congruence and impact of development efforts.”

Sophie Koers in response to her appointment.

Until recently, Sophie was associate director at Fair Wear Foundation, an organization that works to improve labour conditions in the global garment industry. There, Sophie contributed to innovative methodologies for system change to promote human rights and social justice. Sophie’s experience with the application of research, knowledge and co-creation for sustainable global development processes with Western and Southern actors means she is well- suited to lead The Broker.

“Sophie is an experienced organizational strategist and manager. We are thrilled that she has agreed to take on the leadership of our growing organization and our highly skilled and motivated international team,”

-Jolke Oppewal, Chair of The Broker’s executive board.

Over the past few years, The Broker has worked to consolidate its unique position in the secretariats of the Dutch DGIS knowledge platforms, while also expanding its partner base, both in Europe and in the Global South. In The Broker, Sophie will find an enthusiastic and professional organization with a robust basis on which to continue to build its knowledge brokering methods and services.

In her previous roles, Sophie has worked closely with organizations across countries in Asia, (North) Africa and Europe. She is a firm believer in multi-stakeholder efforts, and looks forward to supporting The Broker’s team in continuing their excellent work. With Vanessa Nigten and Fendi Vos, who held the fort as interim-directors, on the management team, Sophie takes on an organization in good shape and ready to take knowledge brokering to a next level.