Meet the people who helped shape DemocracyFirst and OpinionFirst — a team of thinkers, creators, and volunteers united by one goal: empowering people to decide together.
Team
The people behind DemocracyFirst
DemocracyFirst and OpinionFirst exist thanks to a remarkable group of people who have shared their time, energy, and knowledge — often freely and with full conviction. Their contributions have shaped who we are today.
Many team members have since continued their journeys elsewhere, yet their impact remains visible in everything we do. Together, they’ve proven that dedication, creativity, and collaboration can build tools for a better and fairer world.
Core Contributors
Judith & Arjen Flapper
Alles in Balans – Communication advice | Coaching | Mediation | Training & Workshops | Copywriting
Judith and Arjen elevate communication — thinking creatively about how empathy, dialogue, and modern democracy can reinforce one another.
Mark Kruiver
Gidappa & Successity – Marketing | Business acceleration | Partnerships
Mark’s strategic vision and marketing expertise have been instrumental from the start. His insights have helped shape the identity and reach of OpinionFirst.
Paul Mars
ManagementScience & RouteXL – Statistical optimization & route planning
Paul’s analytical and conceptual thinking has brought invaluable clarity and precision to our projects, strengthening the logic behind our platforms.
Dorine Kettenes
Sensoor – National Helpline
Dorine has the rare gift of turning ideas into action. She reviews, improves, and grounds our plans with her practical “can-do” spirit.
Kees Kloosterboer
SolidWorks – 3D CAD & innovation
Founder and initiator of DemocracyFirst. Kees combines imagination with persistence — driving every project forward with vision and purpose.
Hans Vasbinder
Nestlé – Finance & management
Hans is our financial rock and a steady voice of reason. His sharp eye for detail ensures accountability and sound project planning.
Jasper van Kessel
K&vK – Software development | Web applications | Consultancy
Jasper’s technical insight and ability to scale complex systems have been crucial in building the foundation for OpinionFirst.
Frank Sietsma
Refa ICT – IT Management | Cloud computing | Business process solutions
Frank provides the backbone of our technical infrastructure, ensuring security, continuity, and reliable operations.
Dave Lighthart
Dvelopers – API | IoT | Web development
Dave brings a rare combination of deep technical knowledge and design sensibility. His feedback has improved the structure, usability, and overall system logic.
Arnoud Breedveld
Paz Computerworks – Database solutions | Author | Journalist
Arnoud helped crystallize our early concepts, sharpening the ideas that became the core of our projects. His critical insights guided key innovations.
Sabra Kemner
Author | Illustrator | Translator
Sabra’s refined translations turned Dutch inspiration into fluent English expression. Her work makes our mission accessible to the world.
Henk Reitsma
CustomPixels – Web applications | Websites | Tailored solutions
Henk is the powerhouse behind OpinionFirst. He rebuilt the entire platform from the ground up, ensuring it now looks and functions exactly as envisioned.
Tim Dijkstra
CustomPixels – Web applications | Websites | Tailored solutions
Tim has a rare talent for transforming complex challenges into clear, elegant code and structured solutions.
Jack Zwanenburg
Zorgdomein | UX specialist | Designer
Jack is one of a kind — passionate about making the world better. With clarity and insight, he turns a maze of ideas and plans into pure, functional design. OpinionFirst looks and feels the way it does today thanks to him.
A word of gratitude
We are deeply thankful to the many others who tested, advised, and contributed to the realization of OpinionFirst and DemocracyFirst — including Rob Wolkers, Herman Bouwhuis, Caroline Slagt, Hans Swier, Joe Wilkie, Ad Langedijk, Jan Buursma, Eric Wiegers, Florus Groot, Frank Gersdorf, Jack van den Broek, Maarten Boer, Martijn de Deugd, Patrick de Visser, Ron Westrate, Perry Smit, Linda Woudstra, Linda Joosten, Bianca Beentjes, Nicky Kloosterboer, Roeland Berkhout, Merijn Bolink, Nick van der Veen, Rom van Stolk, and many more.
Your ideas and efforts live on in every improvement and step we take.
Want to join?
DemocracyFirst continues to grow. If you believe in the power of participation and would like to contribute your skills — as a volunteer, expert, or ambassador — we’d love to hear from you.