The face behind OSP

When people asked me what I wanted to do later, I always said: I want to help people. This can of course be interpreted in many ways.

When I was allowed to follow training during my first job, I knew what I wanted: when I grow up, I want to have my own training agency. In 2009 I realized my dream. The passion for this profession comes from working with different people. It is very satisfying when people have gained new insights at the end of a training program and go home with a good feeling and the employer is also satisfied with the results achieved.

In addition to the training assignments, I have done several interim assignments over the years. Always with in mind helping an organization to achieve its objectives. That is also the reason why I worked for VNO-NCW for a number of years. Here too I was able to help entrepreneurs with their entrepreneurial issues.

It is always important to think about the future. Abroad beckoned. In recent years I have helped entrepreneurs in different ways in different roles. It would be very cool to be able to do this abroad as well. After several conversations within and outside my network, the position of Chief Representative at the Netherlands Business Support Office in Houston, Texas came my way. After a number of good conversations with our family, we left in July 2015 with the family, four suitcases and our dog. For six years, Houston was our home and my workplace. I put Texas on the map in the Netherlands and many entrepreneurs have found their way to Texas. Important themes were: energy transition, water, life science & health and agriculture. The icing on the cake was Queen Maxima’s visit to Texas in 2022. During this visit I was allowed to act as her liaison.

In 2021, we moved to Washington, DC, where I spent five wonderful years working for the Dutch Embassy. As Senior Advisor for Infrastructure and Water Management, I focused on climate adaptation and water management. In that role, I brought together Dutch and American governments, knowledge institutions, and companies to develop solutions for water‑related challenges that threaten communities, economic assets, and quality of life.

After more than ten years of living and working in the United States, I’m back in the Netherlands. That time shaped me: working internationally, bridging cultures, helping entrepreneurs and government agencies move forward. It has become part of who I am. Coming home felt like the right moment to start my own business again.

With ConsultOSP, I now focus on four pillars that feel completely natural to me: strengthening organizations on a temporary basis, building international programs, training people and teams, and helping entrepreneurs grow. Everything I’ve done over the past years comes together here.

Helping people and organizations move forward, in the Netherlands and beyond, is what gives me energy.

For more information, visit my LinkedIn page and read the testimonials from relations, customers and colleagues.

How can I help your organization?

Saskia Pardaans
Owner OSP