My Story

Welcome to my personal website

My name is Willy Brinksma, born in the beautiful province of Friesland, just at the tail end of the good old fifties. As the eldest of five children in a warm working-class family, I learned early on the value of hard work and perseverance.

I spent my secondary school years in Hoorn, where I held various jobs in nurseries and shops alongside my studies. After earning my VWO B diploma, I moved to Groningen to study physiotherapy. Those four years were filled not only with academic work but also with the vibrant energy of student life.

In 1982, I began my career as a physiotherapist and haptonomist at the Gaikema Physiotherapy Partnership in Sappemeer, where I worked with great satisfaction for nearly twelve years.

In 1994, I moved to Amsterdam and co-founded the internet company InTouch NV with my then-partner Rager Ossel.

My responsibilities at InTouch NV were highly diverse. In the early years, I handled all business-related tasks. As the company grew and more staff were hired, my role evolved to focus on HR, legal affairs, client relations, proposal processes, and everything else that came my way. I also created and delivered numerous business presentations and training sessions for a wide range of audiences.

nTact Ecode
In 2008, I embraced a new challenge and founded Intact Ecodesign BV together with Kees de Kraker. We developed the Eco Iglo, a self-sufficient, energy-neutral floating living unit.

Unfortunately, due to the financial crisis in 2011, we had to close the company. During that time, I also began training in real estate.
After the closure of InTact Ecodesign, I took over the dog walking service Mormels, which I ran with great joy for ten years.

In 2013, my husband Kees became severely disabled, which once again changed the course of my life. From 2017 to 2019, I combined caregiving with part-time work at InTouch NV and running Mormels.

From November 2021 to March 2024, I worked as an Energy Coach for the municipality of Diemen, helping residents reduce their energy consumption and lower their energy bills through personal consultations and practical advice.

During that same period, Kees was admitted to a care facility, ending my caregiving responsibilities and opening the door to a new chapter in my professional life. I decided to close Mormels and, for the first time in nearly 40 years, took on a salaried position.

In March 2022, I started a challenging interim role at the Plastic Whale Foundation as the right hand to Head of Foundation Sarah de Beurs. This position ended on January 31, 2023.

From March 1, 2023, to August 31, 2024, I worked as Office Manager at GreenIPP BV, a European developer of sustainable energy projects focused on solar PV.

Since September 2024, I’ve been happily working as an interim secretary at Public Support, where I flexibly assist with assignments as needed—whether it’s management support, calendar coordination, organizing and taking minutes at meetings, or project assistance.

My first interim assignment for Public Support was as Secretariat Supporter at the Aloysius Foundation in Voorhout. This foundation oversees 44 schools across four regions and provides special education to children and young people aged 4 to 27, with a focus on special primary education, secondary special education, and support within youth care institutions.

My second interim assignment for Public Support is at WSGV (Willem Schrikker Gezinsvormen). WSGV offers support to children or parents with intellectual disabilities or chronic illnesses, tailored to their capabilities and living environment. We provide appropriate in-home parenting support, and when living at home is no longer possible, we offer warm foster families, family homes, or parent-child housing. I’m honored to step in here as Management Assistant and support the director, Richard Toussain.