Introducing: Mieke de Vos is our new Head of Strategy and Organization

Mieke de Vos has been Head of Strategy and Organization at the Democracy and Media Foundation since February. With a career spanning both the private and public sectors, she brings a broad perspective to the role. She has worked for organizations including the Dutch Media Authority, the law firm Allen & Overy, Codarts University of the Arts in Rotterdam, and KPMG. De Vos: “SDM is the organization that steps up when it counts.”

What drew you to such a small organization as the Democracy and Media Foundation?
“What appeals to me is the unique position SDM occupies at the intersection of media and democracy, and how relevant that is right now. I’d like to contribute to that. I’ve always been drawn to the public sector, but the business world held me in its grip for a long time. Ten years ago, I made the switch—a conscious decision. That led me to the Media Authority in 2018, where I still serve on the Advisory Board.”

“I’m actually not that new at SDM anymore: I’d already been working there two days a week for a year and a half. I’ve been a full-time employee since February. When I met Nienke Venema, the director of the Democracy and Media Foundation, in 2024, we hit it off right away. She told me that SDM wanted to develop more of its own initiatives at the intersection of media and democracy. I love organizations that are on the move: aligning activities and figuring out what’s needed to make that happen.”

What experiences from your previous career are you bringing with you to SDM?
“A common thread throughout my career has been working with content-driven professionals. Those are the kinds of people who energize me. Personally, I’m more of a connector and strategist—I see where something can go and figure out what it will take to get there.”

“In the business services sector, you always know who you’re doing it for. The client may be demanding at times, but they’re never invisible. I’ve brought that focus with me to the public sector, where ‘the client’ is a lot less concrete. Who do you address, who do you influence, and what does that require? I’ve noticed that it’s precisely this lack of clarity that makes the responsibility feel even heavier, because how do you best utilize your resources?”

What are your responsibilities as Head of Strategy and Organization at SDM?
“We’re developing many more of our own initiatives than before. That requires good coordination, but sometimes also a different way of working. My role is to monitor the results of all those initiatives and ensure they’re aligned. In addition, I’m helping to build an organization that makes this possible.”

Where does SDM stand now?
“The people behind the underground newspaper *Het Parool*, who founded the foundation in 1944, shaped SDM’s DNA: safeguarding our independent, pluralistic media landscape and the democratic rule of law. We will continue to do so, as guardians of that legacy and as pioneers in a rapidly changing world. Technological developments and new ways of consuming news are making the media landscape more crowded and complex.”

“It sometimes puzzles me that we seem to have only now fully grasped the consequences of this. SDM is taking a leading role in this, because it is precisely now that we can make a difference from our independent position.”

How have you seen the role of the media in our democracy change?
“The range of media options has increased enormously. When I first started working, the media landscape was straightforward. Everyone in the business world read *Het Financieele Dagblad * or *De Financiële Telegraaf*. Being featured in those publications had an unprecedented impact, and that impact lasted much longer. News sources are now inexhaustible. There’s a constant battle for attention and impact. This enriches the media landscape, but it may also impoverish it.”

“You’ll never manage to read all of that yourself. But to filter information effectively, you also need to have an idea of who’s providing it and the purpose for which it was created. And if everyone has their own filter, there’s less chance you’ll be talking about the same thing around the coffee machine. That’s not a bad thing, but what’s the common ground then? I use as many channels as possible myself—and I enjoy doing so—but sometimes I’m also glad that I’ve experienced things differently.’

Where will SDM be in five years?
“In five years? By then, we’ll have even more expertise, a stronger network, and more partners who share our mission. But the essence remains the same: SDM is the organization that steps up when it counts. Independent, fast, and relevant—not because we have to, but because it’s in our DNA.”