Leadership
At Symbiosis, we’re not just building a platform – we’re building trust, collaboration, and meaningful change.
This is where you get to know the people guiding that mission. Our team brings together diverse experiences, shared values and a passion for making good easier to do.
Whether we’re strategizing behind the scenes or joining you in the field, we’re in this together – and always just one click away.
Gerben Sam – Head of Strategic Impact & Founder
Gerben brings over a decade of leadership in pharmaceutical healthcare and GMP production, with a focus on innovation and operational excellence. As founder of The Symbiosis Foundation, Harvard CLIMB alumnus, and Lean Six Sigma Black Belt, he combines expertise and a deep commitment to creating meaningful social impact through strategic partnerships and sustainable solutions. He lives in Zandvoort in the Netherlands.
Ulrich Nguepini – Treasurer
Ulrich specializes in finance, regulatory and management consulting. He has more than 15 years of experience working in the financial sector. He is a Harvard CLIMB alumnus, based in Paris.
Heleen Geilenkirchen – Board Secretery & Founder
Heleen is a driven communications professional who loves bringing stories to life through thoughtful writing and sharp editing. She is currently editor-in-chief at the municipality of Haarlem and lives in Zandvoort in the Netherlands.
Fatima Azzahra Mastari – Engagement Catalyst
Fatima is founder of ChildLink-MA — AI for Good for Neurodiverse Children. She is a healthcare transformation leader with 16 years of experience bridging clinical practice (DDS), AI innovation, and global health governance (Judicial Expert). She fosters worldwide collaboration between organizations and volunteers at Symbiosis, bringing insights from Harvard CLIMB and Lean Six Sigma MBB.
Ákos Hajdu – Lead Digital Transformation & Founder
Ákos is a data analyst, with a strong analytic expertise. He is passionate about health, fitness & wellness. Ákos holds a degree in Biochemical Engineering from Budapest University of Technology and Economics. He has been living in Amsterdam since 2023.
Gaylina Mayieko – Brand & Storytelling Champion
Gaylina is a sustainability Marketing and Communications expert. She is passionate about storytelling and building brands that resonate with SDGs. She holds an MBA and Bachelor of Commerce degrees specializing in Marketing Management. Currently she works for a water-climate fund in Kenya.
Marcin Mietus – Advisor | Community & Partnerships
Marcin is a Student at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and currently doing an assignment in Heidelberg Germany. He is motivated connector, from Chess society to non-profit organizations.
Umme Abiha – Advisor | Branding, PR & External Relations
Umme is a Chemical Engineering student at NUST with an interest in manufacturing and process engineering. Skilled in Microsoft Office, she is keen on developing her professional capabilities by contributing to projects from concept development to execution. She values consistent growth through reading and reflective writing.
Eric Ndayisaba – Advisor | Digital Marketing & Engagement
Eric is a graduate of the African Leadership University with a bachelor’s degree in Entrepreneurial Leadership. Passionate about marketing, communication, and community impact, he has applied his skills in digital content development, project management, and social media strategy to support various organizations.
Kingsley Essemiah – Advisor | Impact Measurement & Compliance
Kingsley obtained a master’s degree in Biomedical Sciences at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. He is currently working as a regulatory affairs officer in the pharmaceutical industry.
Kevin Hovius – Advisor | Fundraising & Business Model
Kevin specializes in social media strategy. He has experience working for multiple large international technology companies. Kevin lives in the Netherlands.
Tamara Greenlese – Advisor | Organizational Development & Efficiency
Tamara is an ambitious, dedicated and adaptable professional with experience in administrative support, community outreach, and program coordination. She studies at the Oregon State University and has a special place within our Core Team as she supports as an Intern with additional focus on development.