28/01/2026
I remember like it was yesterday how my phone rang last summer. Walter Kallenbach asked if I wanted to speak at Grand Speakers 2026.
A screaming βyesβ followed with tears in my eyes; This stage had been on my bucket list for years. After many big names before me, I was allowed to take the stage myself this year, what a dream.
19th of January Huis colored, under the keen eye of team .academy, in a colorful, inspiring company. Led by chairmen .famuse & Pieter W.C.M.Cobelens, the afternoon was opened by none other than β a day that was not only about speakers, but also about meeting, deepening and launching the new Speakersacademy magazine 2026.
It was an afternoon full of contrast, energy and meaning. Sharing a stage with Ron Keller, Ahmed Aboutaleb, Martine Van Zijll Langhout and Paul Iske, and being able to be part of it yourself, was crazy. What a rich company. What a beautiful conversations. And what a luxury to be able to make new connections.
The stage is now for someone else, but I would love to relive this one many times.
Thanks to team Speakers Academy for the organization, again down to the last detail. Extra thanks to Walter Kallenbach: not only for the invitation, but for the complete program and the trust, it was right! Marie-Leontine de Graaf: thank you for your sharpness, warmth and always positive support. You believed in me from the first stage. And of course , my biggest support and official head coach in βdealing with pre-keynote nervesβ, with endless patience for weeks.
On to a great year together. In which, especially now, we may continue to create order out of chaos.
photos; Β©οΈButino
