Impact Committee

We have established an impact assessment framework, which provides guidance towards higher impact on the innovation ecosystem, as well as towards transparency about our impact. In December 2021 we established the Impact Committee to provide us with guidance concerning the development and application of indicators for the measuring and monitoring of ecosystem impact. In its role as external advisor and reviewer, the committee will stimulate us to continuously improve our performance as well as the framework. The Impact Committee consists of three members who share a strong affinity with impact investing.

Annelien van Meer

Annelien has been a member of the Thuja Impact committee since March 2024. She has dedicated her career to advancing and accelerating the transition to a sustainable and inclusive economy and is currently working in the financial industry. In her current role as senior portfolio manager Responsible Investing at a.s.r. asset management, one of her responsibilities is developing strategies and policies with regards to health and human rights, as well as selecting impact investment managers.

Annelien holds a Master in International Relations from Groningen University. 

Maarten Holtslag

Maarten has been a member of the Thuja impact committee since its start in 2022. Maarten is co-founder of K+U Ventures, which invests in the circular economy. He also is an Impact Venture Partner with 4impact, and an ESG Board Advisor to Altilium Clean Technology.

Maarten holds a BA in Business Management, a MSc in Management, and is currently pursuing a Master in Computer and Information Technology at the University of Pennsylvania. 

Julia Samson

Julia joined the Thuja impact committee in 2023. Julia works as an independent consultant in the fields of ocean policy, blue tech, and life sciences, and as coach for students and early-career professionals. After her postdoc at the Max Planck Institute, focusing on biomechanics of marine organisms, she decided to switch careers and joined the Boston Consulting Group.

Julia holds a MSc in Biology from Wageningen University, and a PhD from the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill.  

“Through my experience of working with different investment managers in a variety of fields, I know that defining impact for early stage healthcare investments is a real challenge. Thuja is leading the way in developing transparent impact reporting and I am happy to be able to think along through my role in the impact committee”. Marjolein Meulesteen, former impact committee member