Collective Nouns develops socially innovative projects with a human-centered approach. By means of various disciplines, Collective Nouns identifies specific social needs, and works towards the enhancement of social responsibility, empowerment of personal growth, well-being and openness to the Other. Design and other creative mediums are the foundation’s main tools for achieving these goals.
We emphasize the importance of contextual, sometimes unconventional research and of the creative thinking process behind each project. Foundation Collective Nouns believes in the power of collaboration and partnership. With this approach we hope to enrich our work, to broaden the discussion around each project, and allows unexpected proposals and solutions to be created. We connect between governmental organizations, local enthusiasts, local workshops, experienced professionals in the social/cultural sector and groups in the margins of society. In our process we involve input from our participants and different partners. During a project, we work with (not only for) our target group, we create together and emphasize on the empowerment and independency of our participants. As a design foundation, we emphasize not only on the social aspect of our work but also on maintaining a high level of execution and visual communication.
The board:
Sytse Koopmans (he/him) – Chair:
Sytse Koopmans worked for 25 years as an organizational consultant and trainer, then served as a city council member in Utrecht, and is now involved in different foundations.
Additional roles:
– P’Arts Foundation: board, chair
– Koningshof Foundation: board, chair
– Utrecht City Center Residents’ Association: board, chair
– Ondergronds Domplein: volunteer
– Dom Church: volunteer (sexton)
Jos Konickx (he/him) – Treasurer:
As an entrepreneur, Jos Konickx has played an active role in developing partnerships between public and private organizations, focused on realizing inner-city real estate projects with a cultural and/or innovative legacy.
Additional roles:
– Tijdelijk Wonen Foundation: volunteer
Zina Mansoor (she/her) – General Board Member:
Zina Mansoor studied accountancy and worked as a manager in the financial sector. Zina also worked as a representative and advisor-assistant on human rights issues. In the Netherlands, after completing her master’s degree in management, she is once again working in the financial sector.
Additional roles:
– Rabobank: Senior Operations Officer, Facilities & Rates (paid position)
– Rabo Foundation / Rabobank: volunteer
– Rabo Youth Talent Programme / Rabobank: volunteer
Anthony Assaker (he/him) – Board Member for HRM:
Anthony Assakar is General Manager of Europe Growth Markets at Tropicana Brands Group, where he is responsible for growing new markets in Europe and Turkey. He has over 18 years of international experience in FMCG and beauty, having previously held commercial and marketing roles at PepsiCo and L’Oréal.
Additional Roles:
– Tropicana Brands Group: General Manager Europe Growth Markets (paid position)
– Migrantour Utrecht and De Voorkamer Community: Volunteer & guide
– New Neighbours Community: community member
– Volunteers for initiatives that promote social cohesion and community living
Srishagon Abraham (he/him) – Board Member for Diversity & Inclusion:
Srishagon Abraham is a passionate lawyer and activist for racial and climate justice. He has an academic background in international, European, and Dutch (human rights) law, as well as in Third World Approaches to International Law (TWAIL).
Within various social and cultural organizations, he focuses on the rights of queer and racialized communities, intersectionality, and decoloniality.
Additional roles:
– BAK Foundation, a platform for contemporary art: Community-Holding Coordinator (paid position)
– Colored Qollective Foundation: Board Member, Co-Chair
2024–present
– Freelancer
Ekram Jalboutt (she/her) – Board Member for Diversity & Inclusion:
Ekram Jalboutt works for the Dutch Council for Refugees in the humanitarian sector and as a project manager with experience in refugee protection, inclusion, and social engagement. Ekram is passionate about storytelling, advocacy, and creating spaces where lived experiences are given a platform. She is dedicated to building more inclusive and trauma-sensitive communities.
Additional roles:
– Dutch Council for Refugees: Project Leader, International Team (paid position)
– New Women Connectors: Volunteer
– Syrian Volunteers Netherlands: Volunteer
– Rederij Lempedusa: Storyteller
The board members work on a voluntarily basis.