Vera Donkers/veer

From idea to concrete plan and compelling story. I’m here to empower people, brands and movements in their strive for change. With creativity in brand clarity, marketing and communication strategies, campaign production and fundraising.


I’m driven by curiosity to life. With almost 7 years experience in working on impactful projects. Discovering more about the power of our youth, different cultures and music to collectively add meaning to the world we live in.

What it’s like to work with me

Carlos van Ree/strategist & entrepreneur

[Rabobank/MamaGoesHere] I have thoroughly enjoyed working with Vera. She is intelligent, creative, and critical. Vera surprised me every day with inventive solutions to complicated communication challenges.

Florentine van Oorschot/project manager

[House of Hope/empowr] I had the privilege of working closely with Vera on one of the most beautiful projects I've ever been a part of: House of Hope. Her entrepreneurial spirit and strategic knowledge were truly inspiring. Vera possesses a unique gift for uncovering profound meaning in everything and articulating it effectively. Her keen insight, proactive attitude, and positive personality made our collaboration very enjoyable. Vera played an essential role in the success of our project, and I am confident that she will continue to make a significant impact in all her future endeavors.

Stefan Beek/DJ & social entrepreneur

[Music Moves/Homebass/The Spirit of Amsterdam] Vera is always reliable and an all-rounder in creative projects. From developing strategies and visions to translating them into concrete action plans and executing nearly everything—from soul management to project management, writing catchy copy, design work, network activation, and stakeholder management. As a creative, I sometimes find myself lost in enthusiasm and ideas. With Vera beside me, we always succeed to transform the wildest ideas into a plan that is realistic- and wild. She always maintains focus on the concrete goal.

Tiffany Gritzalis/trainer & mental coach

[Empower to thrive] I've had the pleasure of working with Vera for a year and I was excited about it from the day we met. We worked together on a project that required different tasks and responsibilities, Vera managed to do them all in an outstanding way. She has the unique combination of being task-focused as well as people-oriented. Vera has a strong work ethic and stands out as a reliable, creative professional who does her job right and gets results. She can connect with all kinds of people and she'll be a wonderful addition to any team.

Marissa van Beurden/social entrepreneur

[Music Moves/Nieuw Wij] From March 2019 to April 2022, Vera and I worked together intensively in a very pleasant manner, both professionally and personally. Throughout our collaboration, Vera applied her creative and strategic skills to communication management and supported various initiatives in their dynamic growth.

Reinoud Beimers/advisor & entrepreneur

[Salève/10,000HOURS/Berenschot] You're a pleasure to be around, both personally and professionally. You have strong sense of responsibility and excellent social skills. You consistently fulfill your promises and deliver high-quality work. Among the hundreds of people I've worked with in both commercial and social sectors, you and only a handful of others truly stand out.

Here’s how I can support you

Brand clarity

I specialize in helping organizations and individuals—such as entrepreneurs or artists—capture the essence of their ideas and transform them into compelling stories. Who are you, and why do you do what you do? Sometimes, we develop this blueprint together from the beginning. In other cases, particularly in this rapidly changing era, it's essential to redefine what you stand for. Together, we clarify your identity and message to ensure you connect with the right audience and foster better understanding.

Marketing strategies

From wild, innovative or meaningful ideas to a concrete plan. We collaborate to set people in motion by identifying the most effective channels and crafting engaging messages to captivate your audience. The diversity within your target audiences necessitates inclusive language, imagery and colors. From the initial introduction to conversion, we elaborate on the entire brand journey and develop strategic touchpoints to ensure sustained engagement and connection.

Campaigns & content

I thrive on collaborating with talented creatives. Consider me as the director of your briefing. It brings me joy to be the pivot in the creative process, whether it involves creating a recruitment video or developing monthly content for your social media channels.

Fundraising

Funds and subsidies: your best friends, but also your time-consuming flings. After a number of successful fund applications at national and municipal levels (+3M), I know the struggle: love is work. As a critical sparring partner, I assist organizations, entrepreneurs and artists in co-writing and/or editing fund applications at high-quality level.

Examples of my work

UNSNOOZED

  • UNSNOOZED is a next gen focused & culture-first agency.

    We help scaling organizations unlock their work culture for next generations while prioritizing their people's needs. Through data-driven advice and campaigns, we boost team and brand engagement.

    We build brands on culture for breakfast.

Music Moves

  • Lead communications of the national team / Lead in creating and renewing the brand story and visual identity / Co-author of the funding proposal for the national program extension / Manager of all marketing and campaign strategies / Strategic development and positioning across the organisation

  • Music Moves empowers young adults to discover their talents by engaging them in social issues through music. This national program operates in five cities in The Netherlands, annually mobilizing hundreds of young people to organize unique music events for people you don’t meet at the dance floor very often. Examples include hosting disco nights for elderly individuals, techno raves for the deaf community, and open mic events for the homeless. Music Moves collaborates with established partners in education, healthcare, and the music industry such as Amsterdam Dance Event.

  • As a co-initiator, I played a key role in launching the program in Amsterdam in 2019 and subsequently contributed to the strategic development of the organization. I shared responsibility for writing and successfully securing funding for the program's expansion into five cities across The Netherlands.

    Additionally, as the brand manager, I was responsible for the development of our brand story and the revitalization of our visual identity and creative strategy from 2019 to 2021. In 2022, I led two creative campaigns: one to launch the national program and another to showcase its impact. Our efforts garnered coverage in both national and local news outlets.

De Bildung Academie

  • Lead in renewing the brand story and visual identity / Co-author of funding proposals at national and municipal levels / Manager of all marketing and campaign strategies / Strategic development and positioning across the organization

  • De Bildung Academie develops programs and provides training, coaching and advice centered on personal and professional development as well as social responsibility. Bildung is about actively, consciously and ethically relating to yourself, others and the world around you.

  • From December 2022 to December 2023, I collaborated with the team to redefine the brand's vision and mission statement, resulting in a refreshed brand story, new brand style and website.

    Additionally, I was responsible for creating campaigns for both existing and new programs, and I collaborated in writing applications for subsidies and funds. Resulting in winning multiple tenders for Gemeente Amsterdam, Gemeente Eindhoven, and the Ministry OCW.

    All in support of the organization's strategic development and positioning.

House of Hope

  • Advice on marketing & campaign strategies / Co-producer of the impact film

  • House of Hope offered a unique club experience in a church during Amsterdam Dance Event 2022, bringing together music lovers, spiritual individuals and homeless people. four individuals with lived experience of homelessness shared their stories on stage. Accompanied by electronic music by Mees Dierdorp, the event provided a space for learning, emotional connection, and shared experience.

  • I provided support to the team during the event preparations, focusing on marketing and the production of the case film.

Homebass

  • Advice on marketing strategies / Co-author of the funding for the program ‘Geef Couleur’

  • Homebass develops events, campaigns, activations, and temporary housing to promote equal opportunities for homeless individuals. Combining the connecting power of festivals, media and culture to bring dancers, creatives and well-known DJs together with the talents of those experiencing homelesness. Drawing on expertise in distinctive house and dance events, Homebass specializes in creating vibrant, inclusive environments.

  • I provided support to Homebass in developing marketing strategies. Additionally, I collaborated in writing funding proposals for their project 'Geef Couleur,' a partnership with festival organizations such as STRAF_WERK and ZeeZout aimed at revitalizing multiple shelters to make them more inspiring and functional.

10,000 HOURS

  • Manager of all marketing and campaign strategies / Co-author of the funding for projects during the pandemic

  • The 10,000 HOURS Foundation drives social change through volunteer events aimed at supporting vulnerable communities. In collaboration with festivals such as Mysteryland and Welcome To The Future.

  • When festivals and healthcare institutions shuttered due to COVID-19, I collaborated on writing applications for projects specifically designed for the pandemic era. One such initiative was #boterkaaseneieren, a collaboration with music partner ID&T. Recognizing the profound loneliness experienced by both elderly and young adults, we mobilized young people to engage in safe window games with elderly people in their neighborhoods. For this project, I shared responsibility with ID&T for developing the marketing and PR strategy, as well as producing the campaign video.

Rabobank Amsterdam (Amsterdam &Co)

  • Responsible for the online content strategy and production / Co-producer of events and magazines

  • Amsterdam &Co (now Rabo &Co) was established as a platform for social and sustainable initiatives supported by Rabobank Amsterdam. It served as an invitation for all Amsterdam residents to participate in these projects.

  • As part of Amsterdam &Co's online platform, we published interviews with local entrepreneurs and founders of new projects. We also hosted monthly events to engage with city residents on current issues, and twice a year, we curated magazines featuring in-depth stories. From 2017 to 2018, I was responsible for the online content strategy and production. Additionally, I provided support in organizing events and producing the magazines