Joan Smithuis
interim management, advisor in communications and governance and public affairs
Executives who demand more from their communication department, that is his natural working environment.
Smithuis, educated as a political scientist, worked for ten years as a journalist, in the corporate world, and in the labor movement. Thirty years ago, communication became part of his career: first as deputy director at the former Ministry of WVC, then as director of communication for the municipality of Amsterdam for eleven years.
Since 1997, he has been self-employed. As an interim head, he tackled communication issues in The Hague, Eindhoven, Hengelo, and Doetinchem. He also established a new communication department for the Council of State. As a manager, advisor, or coach, he has worked for six provinces, small and large municipalities, and various companies.
Smithuis served as chairman of the professional association for government communication for ten years. For the University of Amsterdam, he initiated the alumni association of political scientists. He has been involved in various boards, including three consecutive SAIL boards and Nieuwspoort.
Joan is an associate of Saam & Verhoog.