Valentijn studied physical chemistry and thermodynamics at Utrecht State University and completed a doctorate in applied thermodynamics applied to enhanced oil recovery at Delft Technical University, in the Netherlands.

At AspenTech in the Netherlands and Belgium, chemical thermodynamics was useful for client support and technical development. Later Valentijn grew into business consulting, where he co-developed business case and value-based performance management methodologies for engineering and complex manufacturing solutions. This made him familiar with business process analysis and improvement, as well as leading international teams. At STS Associates in France, Valentijn rolled out a best practice approach to project management in a major in animal pharmaceuticals and started teaching leadership development topics for Learning Tree International in Paris.

Valentijn worked part-time for ARC Advisory Group in the technology strategy consultancy group, dedicated to end users among which the chemical and oil and gas majors, while continuing to teach. At ARC, he worked on creating a broad view on the implications of Industrial IoT and smart manufacturing, and wrote on the definitions and applications of digital twins in the process and discrete industries. Valentijn also covered asset management, operations management, social sustainability – with a focus on the impact of technology and digitalisation on individuals and organisations.

Valentijn teaches leadership and management skills development and coaches individuals in the workplace. He specialises in redirecting unproductive behaviour, preventative well-being approaches, and team performance improvement. Valentijn works with partners including Learning Tree International and KPL Knowledge Solutions providing teaching and consulting in international organisations. Valentijn's contributions always target individual, group or corporate effectiveness and performance, while maximising well-being and respecting social and environmental sustainability. Valentijn’s approach to digital transformation focuses on implementing principles of positive change for both individuals and organisations, driving sustainable transformation that yields tangible bottom-line results.

Plenary presentation

The Human Aspects of Digital Transformation – What Can Go Wrong and How to Fix It

Many digital transformation initiatives fall short of reaching their desired outcomes and benefits. Over half of these failures are linked to "resistance," which often signals misalignment, a lack of mutual understanding, or strained relationships. Additional challenges arise when the solution is not deeply grounded in thorough needs research and is not iteratively developed through experiments involving end users.

Valentijn will discuss the value of adopting an integrated approach that encompasses leadership, coaching, team excellence, human-centered design, and positive organisational change as an essential track alongside the more traditional technical, business process, or other aspects of digital transformation. Drawing from insights and experiences in past and ongoing projects, he will provide practical tools and guidelines to help companies navigate their transformation journeys.