Hi I’m Tessa,

A Dutch-Mauritian Zillennial and self-proclaimed rational creative. Living somewhere between structure and chaos. I’ve never really fit into one box, which makes strategy the perfect middle ground.

With a background in business and a personal life deeply shaped by underground music and subcultures. I thrive at the intersection of both, driven by the idea that people and brands fuel each other, a kind of symbiosis where people bring stories, and brands amplify them. Together, they can shape culture.

Over the last four years I worked at one of the best Dutch strategy agencies, which has made me a slightly headstrong but determined strategist. Seeing how the world is changing and the influence it has on people and society, I realised that the traditional advertising playbook isn’t built for it. In a world where attention is scarce and media fragmented brands should rewire, and rather than adding to the noise, find new ways to create meaning.

There are a million ways to do so, but a culture-first approach is the only constant. Having a deep understanding of people and their world, what drives them, what makes them angry, what excites them. It’ about spotting the signs, knowing what tools you have and turning them into opportunities. For your brand and for people. In the end, culture belongs to people, and the brands that thrive are the ones bold enough to be a part of it.

Rational Creative
noun

  1. A Rational Creative embraces the paradox between logic and imagination using reason, insight, and real-world context to give structure to bold, boundary-breaking ideas. They understand that creativity begins in the irrational, yet only becomes resonant when shaped with clarity, intention, and strategic thought.

Is this term already coined? If not someone should!

Work experience

Dawn - Brand & Creative strategist
2021 - 2025

Young Dogs - Boardmember
2022 - 2023

Humans of Festivals - Co-founder
2014 - 2017

Education

Master Data-driven Design
Utrecht University of Applies Sciences
2020 - 2021

Bachelor International Business and Languages
Amsterdam School of International Business
2013 - 2019

Additional experience

Effie awards - Junior jury member
2023

RadioRadioFM - Teammember
2021-2022

Gewoonmensen.nl - Social media marketeer
2020 - 2021

Subbacultcha - Community volunteer
2017-2019