Ilona Buddingh-Maas

About Ilona Buddingh-Maas

After her studies in economics and experience in sales and marketing roles at multinationals such as Nestlé, Ilona Buddingh-Maas discovered that she wanted to take a new path: a career focused on sustainability. From 2012 to 2017, she wrote the book BEGIN with sustainability. How to create a new reality together with others in five steps, in which this subject became clear, motivating, and applicable for her.

Based on the content of her book, she developed keynotes, workshops, and training programs that she offers in various formats. She continuously expands her knowledge about sustainability, which in recent years has led to, among other things:

• Sustainability lectures for the MBA program at The Hague University of Applied Sciences and various HBO programs at Inholland University of Applied Sciences.
• Educational content for the HBO modules Circular Economy and Sustainability in the Circular Economy at LOI.
• A masterclass on sustainable business in collaboration with Nyenrode for the Rabobank Entrepreneurs Academy.
• Lectures on leadership in sustainability for the Master in Sustainability Transitions, a new program developed in collaboration between Inholland University of Applied Sciences, Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences, and Hanze University of Applied Sciences Groningen.

Additionally, she deepens her knowledge daily by following innovators and shares these insights in keynotes, workshops, lectures, and training programs.

With the five BEGIN steps from her book, she provides tools for leadership in sustainability, both for individual employees and organizations. This method helps people find their own motivation and contribution, which enhances enthusiasm and increased engagement in sustainability.

Sustainability is a wonderful subject where we can discover anew every day how we can give it shape.

Her keynotes and workshops are always tailored in content and examples to the specific sector and organizational context. She focuses on increasing awareness, inspiration, enthusiasm, employee engagement, intrinsic motivation, and leadership development in the field of sustainability. Committed, passionate, and connecting, she enjoys speaking to large groups, emphasizing a positive association with sustainability, awareness of all possibilities, and the enthusiasm to take real action.