Interview with Juliette van der Laarse.

We are excited to share the newest interview as a part of our "Celebrating Women Volunteers: Insights & Inspiration" series. 

This week, we meet Juliette van der Laarse, who gives back through volunteering and mentorship. 

Get ready to be inspired by her story!

“Volunteering is a way to share my passion and enthusiasm for making a positive impact. It has brought a sense of purpose to my life, especially in a time where superficial values often dominate.”

Professional background 

Juliette is an IT professional and Product Owner at NN Group.

She began programming at age 12, studied game technology, and has held various IT roles, including running her own startup. At NN, she leads product development and innovation.

Juliette's interests span technology, nature, arts, music, museums, and reading. Her curiosity and eagerness to learn drive her to continually engage in new initiatives.

Where did your volunteering journey begin? 

— I first got involved in volunteering when I was 10, organizing local events to raise money for various causes. At 15, I won a competition to organize a project empowering youth (mainly young girls), which was an incredible experience. I've been active with Greenpeace, I've helped out in a care home, built free websites for charities, mentored students, and offered IT courses.

I’m also a passionate advocate for Women in IT and I currently mentor and chair some of these initiatives. More recently, I met with a group focused on international peace talks to see how I can potentially help them.

What sparked your initial interest in volunteering for different causes or organizations?

— I've always felt a deep desire to leave the world better than I found it, and at the end of my time here, I would like to look back on a life lived with purpose. I am always open to helping others, so initially I found myself in volunteer roles simply because people requested my assistance. Over time, I began actively seeking out ways to make a difference, driven by a growing awareness of the problems that needed solving and a deep desire to change things for the better.

How long have you been volunteering, and how has it impacted you personally? 

— I’ve been volunteering for about 22 years. Volunteering is a way to share my passion and enthusiasm for making a positive impact. It has brought a sense of purpose to my life, especially in a time where superficial values often dominate. It helped broaden my worldview, and it’s been incredibly rewarding to engage with different communities. I genuinely enjoy connecting with people from all walks of life. I think it shaped how I view the world and others in a positive, more understanding, and gentle way.

“The most rewarding moments in my volunteer work are when I see real change in people. Watching young individuals discover new dreams and gain confidence is incredibly touching.”

How do you manage your volunteering commitments?

— I focus on what truly energizes me. I’ve found that I thrive best when I can use my natural strengths. As an ambivert, I enjoy inspiring others in more extroverted roles, but I need enough quiet time to recharge after. This is something I keep in mind. I’ve learned to choose volunteer activities that align with both my nature and my skills and avoid those activities that drain me. By staying true to myself, I feel more effective and fulfilled, and that helps me manage my energy.

What skills do you bring to volunteer work?

— In my volunteer work, I try to bring a mix of skills I've picked up over the years. I started with organizing events and developing programs. As I gained more experience, I added technical skills and strategic thinking. I often find myself acting as a change agent, helping to drive new initiatives. I also love mentoring, advocating for various causes, and using my debate skills to support others in making strong arguments and legal cases.

What moments have been most rewarding?

— The most rewarding moments in my volunteer work are when I see real change in people. Watching young individuals discover new dreams and gain confidence is incredibly touching. It's also heartwarming to see people and organizations come together for a common cause, showing the best of humanity. These experiences of unity and personal growth remind me of the deep kindness and potential in our communities.

What challenges or limitations do you encounter in your volunteer work?

— One of the biggest challenges I face in my volunteer work is the bureaucracy within NGOs, especially those that rely heavily on governmental subsidies. Strict regulations can limit how resources are used and often stifle creativity and innovation. I understand where these limitations are coming from, but it can be challenging to navigate.

Are there missing opportunities?

— I’ve noticed that many NGOs in the Netherlands mainly focus on general volunteering tasks like handing out flyers or fundraising. This means they miss out on the potential of skill-based volunteering. I know many people who would not be eager to take on these traditional volunteer roles but would love to offer their expertise in areas like financial administration or website development. By tapping into these specialized skills, NGOs could achieve so much more.

“Find what truly moves you. Look for causes that touch your heart and activities that play to your strengths.”

From your perspective, to what extent do you believe your volunteering contributes to positive change in the community and has a significant overall social impact? 

— I believe that my volunteer work makes a significant social impact. Not because what I do is particularly special, but because I strongly believe in the ripple effect. By initiating small actions, you can inspire a generation; sometimes it takes very little, as long as you can successfully pass on the spark so that others can do the same in turn. The scope of my impact is also growing, from organizational to industry-wide. And the broader my perspective, the more I realize how much more still needs to be done — and how much smaller I consider my own impact. But I am OK with that, it is a sign of growth.

Any advice for aspiring volunteers ready to invest their time and talents for lasting impact?

— Find what truly moves you. Look for causes that touch your heart and activities that play to your strengths. Volunteering isn’t about how much you do, but how deeply you commit to and connect to the cause. Let your actions reflect who you are, and you’ll see the impact you can make and the personal growth that comes with it. And as I said before, you don’t have to do it all alone. Build your village and surround yourself with supportive people who share your passion.