Alies Zijlstra is a highly experienced and dedicated leadership coach, facilitator, moderator, mediator, and advisor with over 20 years of experience in higher education. She is the founder of the network organization Academic Vision.

With her expertise in leadership, education, and organizational development, she is frequently asked to support directors and managers in their personal and leadership development. She also regularly guides management teams during vision or team days, fostering connection and clarifying the path forward.

In addition, Alies has developed leadership and training programs for various universities, such as BKO, SKO, BASOT, PhD programs, mentoring tracks, and introduction programs for new lecturers — always with space for individual needs and preferences, while keeping a clear goal in mind.

What drives her in higher education is contributing to Connection and Leadership within universities, programs, and schools. She aims to support the creation of environments where attention is given to everyone’s growth and development, and where collaboration flourishes through genuine connection.

Alies holds two university master’s degrees, including a Master’s in Strategic Management in Education, and she is also the director of the organization Zelfbewust Academy.