Our team

Our interdisciplinary team consists of young talents and experienced professionals who complement each other perfectly. We all have a keen eye for detail and a deep love for the plant world. Our greatest motivation? Creating impact through biodiversity and beauty.

As a unified team, we strive to harness the power of greenery in every project we undertake. With a strong focus on quality and a deep love for nature, we leverage our diverse backgrounds in landscape and urban design, sustainability, green heritage, project management, and green craftsmanship to achieve the best results.

We strongly believe in the power of plants for a positive impact on people, planet and profit. We are proud of our very diverse and inclusive team, who all share this belief, and we invite anyone who recognizes themselves in this to apply. We stand by our policies for hiring and promoting individuals from all backgrounds, each contributing their own different perspective, ideas, and experiences. In our team, everyone enjoys the freedom to express their opinions, advance in their careers, and be part of a genuinely compassionate and impact-driven team. 

Interested in joining us? See our vacancies page.

Every day on a mission: Making Urban Nature Happen!

Tanja

Director/founder

Tanja brings her passion for nature and a wealth of experience in strategy consulting Lees meer…

Tanja brings her passion for nature and a wealth of experience in strategy consulting, private equity, and estate management to our team. With her commitment to large-scale greening of cities, she endeavours to create transformative impacts for both people and the environment. Tanja’s extensive background and strategic mindset empower her to drive the greening agenda forward, making cities more sustainable and enhancing the well-being of their inhabitants.

Olivia

Plantscape Developer

With a background in construction engineering and asset management, Olivia is our connecting link between real estate and green spaces. Lees meer…

Our connecting link between real estate and green spaces. With her background in construction engineering and asset management, Olivia is able to clearly demonstrate the added value of greenery for built environments and bridge the gap between these two domains, ensuring a seamless integration of green solutions within real estate projects.. For each planting project, she prepares a tailored business case for our clients, ensuring that various stakeholders are included in the plans. In addition to this role, she is the driving force behind the execution of many projects. Olivia grew up in Diemen, where nature is never far away. A typical workday for Olivia starts with an ice-cold shower, followed by a motorcycle ride to our office on Bloemgracht. She consults with Tanja, works on a business plan, makes various phone calls to align stakeholders, or travels to one of our projects to manage things on-site. “Getting it done” is tattooed on her forehead.

Keely

Chief Plant Officer

Keely is undoubtedly a plant whisperer, Lees meer…

Before starting at Blooming Buildings (sometime in 2021), Keely worked at a New Zealand brunch café in Amsterdam. Her weekly highlight: taking care of the plants.Having grown up in Australia, she was used to a large garden and a lot of nature. It was precisely the lack of it that sparked her love for greenery. So, when she finally had a home in Amsterdam with a rooftop terrace, she went all out.And so the paths naturally led to Blooming Buildings. Keely started as a manager, with some social media on the side. Now she can call herself Chief Plant Officer. As CPO, she coordinates and guides the managers, assists in the creation of our projects, and designs the interior planting schemes. In doing so, she always tries to bring the outdoor feeling indoors.Her ambition? She wants to make the world better with plants. Increase biodiversity in cities. Literally bring buildings to life. And learn more about the connection between planting and health. Making a difference by getting your hands in the soil.Her favorite plant is the ginkgo in Maaskantpark, which she helped develop for the Groot Handelsgebouw. The ginkgo is a Japanese nut tree that is particularly resistant to heat and already existed when dinosaurs roamed here. The fact that a tree species that has survived so much now stands in Rotterdam gives hope.Making a difference with your hands in the soil, what more could you want?

Nikos

Visual & Spatial Designer

Starting at Blooming Buildings with about twenty plants, Nikos now boasts over fifty. His love for plants was always significant but has only grown. Lees meer…

When Nikos started at Blooming Buildings, he owned about twenty plants. Now he has over fifty. His love for plants was always great, but it has only grown. Just like himself, by the way: starting as an intern, Nikos has become our head of design in just a few years. In this capacity, he is responsible for the creative appearance of Blooming Buildings. He developed (and guards) the corporate identity, leads the design team, and visualizes the designs of our projects. This way, our clients get a detailed idea of the end result even before a single plan is purchased. Nikos grew up in Thessaloniki, a Greek port city increasingly experiencing the problems of climate change. He is therefore very happy to have found work at Blooming Buildings where he can contribute to our mission of making the Netherlands (and the rest of the planet) better.

Juna

Graphic and Spatial Designer & Social Media Expert

Juna’s fascination with nature spurred her journey into design and art. As a designer, she aims to reconnect people with nature in urban environments, visualizing information to inspire a deeper appreciation for our surroundings. Lees meer…

Juna’s fascination with nature spurred her journey into design and art. Growing up in Utrecht, she found solace in her family’s caravan, spending weekends immersed in nature. This connection became her driving force. Exploring the effects of nature on human well-being, Juna combines intuitive and scientific knowledge to create her work. As a designer, she aims to reconnect people with nature in urban environments, visualizing information to inspire a deeper appreciation for our surroundings.

Dorien

Impact & Marketing communicatie manager

Dorien guides us through our long-held desire to become a B Corp company, she guides us through this certification. Lees meer…

Growing up in the north of North Holland, just five minutes from the forest, dunes, and sea, Dorien has always loved nature. But for a long time, nature was completely taken for granted. Something to go to and enjoy. Only much later did she realize that we are also part of it and that we all have a duty to take good care of it. She started as a B Leader, helping Blooming Buildings one day a week to achieve B Corp Certification. But she was so captivated by our mission that those one-day-a-week quickly turned into four. By establishing a solid impact and communication strategy, she hopes to contribute to Blooming Buildings’ goal of creating a sort of green oil slick that keeps expanding. This way, we can slowly but surely make the world a bit more beautiful. And we can enjoy the wonders of nature in the city as well, just like she enjoys the jasmine in her own garden, which stays green all year and blooms profusely for a long time.

Harry

Planting Designer

Meet our exceptional planting expert, the man behind our extraordinary green spaces. Lees meer…

Meet our exceptional planting expert, the man behind our extraordinary green spaces. With over 30 years of experience in garden and landscape design, he is both an artist and botanical connoisseur. His deep knowledge of plants, coupled with his unique style, sets him apart in the industry. Using a diverse range of plant species, he skillfully crafts stunning visuals that leave lasting impressions throughout the year, seemlessly blending with the natural environment. His ability to create harmony between the landscape and his distinctive plant arrangements is a testament to his expertise and artistic flair. Trust him to transform any space into a botanical masterpiece.

Dorien Cornelia

Climate adaptation & Water Management Specialist

Dorien’s lifelong fascination with nature led her to study earth sciences. In her role at Blooming Buildings, she combines deep knowledge of climate adaptation and water management with business acumen. Lees meer…

As long as Dorien can remember, she has been amazed by the beauty of nature. Perhaps that’s why she decided to study earth sciences. In her work for Blooming Buildings, she combines deep knowledge of climate adaptation and water management with business acumen. And as a certified NLP trainer, she helps people with their personal growth and development. Thanks to her empathetic attitude, she can quickly get to the heart of the matter. Dorien lives in Purmerend and has a garden full of edible plants, which she often and gratefully uses. Not only for herself but also for her horse, who can be woken up for a handful of rose hips and raspberry leaves. Together with Blooming Buildings, she hopes to help people enjoy their surroundings more consciously, so that we can take better care of each other and the earth.

Daphne

Project manager & Gardener

A love for all stages of plants: green gives Daphne energy and peace. Lees meer…

Sometime in 2020, Daphne sent an email to the municipality of Amsterdam, asking if she could manage the inner garden of her residential complex in IJburg. It could use some love. The municipality agreed: she could get started.By profession, Daphne is an Art Director. After working for years as a freelancer for various magazines, she eventually specialized in designing CGI sets. But where her work caused stress, she found that gardening brought her peace. She decided to make her hobby her work and turn gardening into her profession.At Blooming Buildings, Daphne will not only be working as a project manager but will also assist Chief Plant Officer Keely in coordinating, directing, and supporting our project managers. She hopes more and more people will realize that nature brings happiness and makes an essential contribution to the livability of the city.Her favorite plants at the moment are Astrantia (masterwort) and Daucus Carota (wild carrot). Both have something beautiful and surprising at every stage of their life, even when they are dried out.

Natascha

Creative Project leader & Business Development

A background in architecture and interior design, a load of positive energy, and a black belt in organizing. Lees meer…

A background in architecture and interior design, a load of positive energy, and a black belt in organizing: Natascha is a creative all-rounder with a wealth of experience in both creative and managerial roles. The more complex the issue, the more she enjoys it. She had the creative lead on the design of the Amsterdam headquarters and the design studio of Philips and was responsible for their realization. In her designs, she increasingly makes room for natural planting. To do this on a larger scale, she sought collaboration with Blooming Buildings. She now helps us with new clients and the realization of our biggest and most complex projects. Together, we will fulfill our mission: Making Urban Nature Happen. One way or another.

Lauren

Project Managment

Lauren gained versatile plant knowledge while living in the jungles of Papua New Guinea, the Australian bush and the Alps in Austria. Lees meer…

Lauren gained versatile plant knowledge while living in the jungles of Papua New Guinea, the Australian bush and the Alps in Austria. She now applies this knowledge to various indoor and outdoor projects.

Mike

Asset Management Intern

Mike aims to learn how to financially quantify the positive impact of greenery. He misses the daily contact with nature, making him feel right at home in our office on Bloemgracht, where he flourishes just like the many plants surrounding us. Lees meer…

Introduced to concept development during a guest lecture for his Asset Management studies at the Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences, Mike found his interest piqued. Through mutual connections, he landed at Blooming Buildings, discovering exactly what he was seeking: a green developer not only focused on sustainability and climate adaptation but on the holistic picture. This includes aesthetic quality, the history of a building, the environment, social interaction, and the economic value that greenery can add. During his internship, Mike aims to learn how to financially quantify the positive impact of greenery. Moving from Hoorn to Amsterdam at 19 meant swapping a spacious garden for no garden at all. He misses the daily contact with nature, making him feel right at home in our office on Bloemgracht, where he flourishes just like the many plants surrounding us.

Caroline

Project Management & Development

Caroline is a dedicated professional who is fueled by the positive impact of good greenery Lees meer…

Caroline is a dedicated professional who is fueled by the positive impact of good greenery on cities and their residents. She excels in managing outdoor projects, ensuring they are executed with precision and care. With her wealth of experience, she also takes on the role of developing new projects, leveraging her expertise to bring innovative ideas to life.

Larissa

(Spatial) Design intern

Upon discovering Blooming Buildings’ year-round blooming arch concept, Larissa knew she wanted to intern here. Lees meer…

Years ago, Larissa and her father revamped the garden of their family home with a goal: it must look beautiful every day of the year. Upon discovering Blooming Buildings’ year-round blooming arch concept, she knew she wanted to intern here. Studying Spatial Design at the Utrecht School of the Arts, she appreciates the balance between digital and physical work. At Blooming Buildings, she hopes to explore how vegetation impacts spaces and how designers can influence this. Raised in the Veluwe, her bond with nature is personal and profound. Through her internship, Larissa looks forward to further cultivating her botanical knowledge.

Gerard

Gardener & Technical Specialist

Gerard serves as the coordinator for the technical aspects of Blooming Buildings’ projects. Lees meer…

Gerard serves as the coordinator for the technical aspects of Blooming Buildings’ projects. Leveraging his horticultural background, he brings specialized expertise in working with natural predators, soil improvement, and fertilization techniques. His knowledge and skills are instrumental in ensuring the successful implementation of our projects, with a focus on sustainable and environmentally friendly practices.

Mark Joost

Copy writer

Inspired by a forest ranger’s remark that “everything wants to become a forest,” Mark has been searching for ways to support nature. Lees meer…

Inspired by a forest ranger’s remark that “everything wants to become a forest,” Mark has been searching for ways to support nature. When he encountered Blooming Buildings and delved into urban greening, he knew their mission would become his own. With a background in media studies and years of experience as a copywriter and creative strategist, Mark resides in Zwolle with his family, where he hopes to initiate a green revolution alongside Blooming Buildings. Although his botanical knowledge is lacking, Mark is eager to learn and contribute to the cause.

Ruben

Advisor Urban Development

Ruben is dedicated to creating liveable cities Lees meer…

Ruben is dedicated to creating liveable cities and plays a pivotal role in providing expert advice on urban planning matters. With his deep understanding of urban dynamics, he offers valuable insights and guidance to help shape cities in a way that prioritizes the well-being and quality of life for its residents.

Kim

Head Gardener Groot Handelsgebouw

Kim describes herself as a ‘garden coach’, always willing to give advice on how to grow and nurture a healthy garden Lees meer…

Kim describes herself as a ‘garden coach’, always willing to give advice on how to grow and nurture a healthy garden and to make it happen, just like Blooming Buildings. She has an extensive background in gardening and garden projects. She fell for the quality of the plantscaping and gardens that Blooming Buildings delivers, and the education that is an important side job, small and large, of all of our team members.

Martijn

Business Development

Meet our sharp sparring partner, who brings an extra perspective to our business development processes Lees meer…

Meet our sharp sparring partner, who brings an extra perspective to our business development processes when engaging with new clients. With his insightful input, we are able to enhance our strategies and ensure a comprehensive approach to meeting client needs

Ashley

Project Management

Ashley’s love for plants is immense. She applies her expertise to ensure that plants thrive Lees meer…

Ashley’s love for plants is immense. She puts her expertise into practice to ensure that plants thrive and contribute optimally to a healthy working environment. She does this for various indoor projects.

Marleen

Healthcare & Research

Marleen is a remarkable individual who is pursuing studies in greening healthcare Lees meer…

Marleen is a remarkable individual who is pursuing studies in greening healthcare alongside her medical studies. Her unique dual background allows her to explore the effects of greenery on patients and employees, delving into the positive impacts it can have on their well-being. Additionally, Marleen takes charge of managing our projects in Nijmegen, where her interdisciplinary approach contributes to creating healthier and more nurturing environments within healthcare settings.

Stephanie

Project Management

The more plants Stephanie gets to know, the happier she gets! Lees meer…

The more plants Stephanie gets to know, the happier she gets! She is garden manager of large outdoor projects in Utrecht.

Simon

Project gardener

Simon loves plants and enjoys learning more about them on the job Lees meer…

Simon’s love for plants is only rivaled by his love for his dog. Whilst he spent most of his professional life behind a computer, he was never too far off plants and green. With his job at Blooming Buildings, he now has the best combination of office and hands – on work, and he loves learning about new plants on the job.

Kune

Project Gardener

A busy bee with a big heart for nature and people Lees meer…

Kune enjoys looking at climbing plants and observing how they find their way along a wall. It’s no surprise, then, that she feels at home with Blooming Buildings: we are also big fans of climbing plants. From the moment Kune became a Project Gardener person, she felt the responsibility to keep the plants she looks after as healthy and happy as possible. Besides her work as a Project Gardener, she is studying Social Work and volunteers at a center for people with psychosis sensitivity. There, she cooks and assists at De Bruisende Tuin (The Thriving Garden), a vegetable garden that provides various green activities. With her love for plants, she wants to contribute to a society where nature can find its way without obstacles. In that regard, there is still a long way to go. Blooming Buildings feels like a step in the right direction, where we make space for greenery and a sustainable existence.

Lucas

Real Estate Intern

Lucas lives for adventure. You can wake him up in the middle of the night to cycle to Paris in one day. Or mountain biking in the woods.. Besides being an adventurer, Lucas also has a great love for nature. Lees meer…

Lucas lives for adventure. You can wake him up in the middle of the night for it. For example, to cycle to Paris in one day. Or to go wild swimming. Or mountain biking in the woods. Besides being an adventurer, Lucas is also very much an outdoors man. He has a great love for nature. And he is also a student. Specifically, in Real Estate Management at Hanze University of Applied Sciences in Groningen. Lucas got to know Blooming Buildings at the Provada Real Estate Fair in 2024 and was immediately sold. He wants to apply our mission to bring nature back to the city in the city where he lives and grew up: Groningen and its surroundings. Through his studies, he has become fascinated by plants that contribute to urban biodiversity and sustainability, such as ivy. At Blooming Buildings, he will be involved in sales. He looks forward to making a difference and contributing to a greener future.

Jisca

Design Intern

Media & Design, Elephant Ear and swimming Lees meer…

As a first-year Media & Design student at Cibab in Zwolle, you can often see Jisca walking from school to home with a large portfolio under her arm. Or vice versa. And that’s how she ended up talking to Tanja, the founder of Blooming Buildings, on the bus. One thing led to another: Jisca is now our design intern.Jisca wants to learn how design works in a business setting, how to design based on a brand book. She was drawn to both the design of our website and the plants we work with.Her favorite plant is the Alocasia Gloriosum, also known as Elephant Ear. She bought it as a cutting with just one leaf. Now, the Gloriosum has six glorious leaves. She also loves the mountains (particularly the Dolomites). And swimming, she loves that too. Since her early childhood, she has been swimming weekly and now has more diplomas than the alphabet has letters.

Robin

Asset Management Intern

Robin harnesses the gentle forces of nature for a Climate-Resilient City. Lees meer…

As a judo enthusiast, Robin knows how to harness external forces to his advantage. When he was young, he often visited his grandparents by the Sloterpark in Amsterdam, where a nature playground was being built. It was precisely during moments of inactivity that nature took over. We can greatly benefit from that gentle power of nature in cities. Robin studies Asset Management at the Hogeschool van Amsterdam and is pursuing a minor in Climate-Resilient City. As an intern at Blooming Buildings, he hopes to help make cities greener. After all, everyone deserves a pleasant and healthy living environment. But most of all, he looks forward to working directly with plants.