A vice-president of sales for a sporting goods manufacturer, Liesbet maintained the “American Dream.” She owned a beautiful home and sports car, and enjoyed a lucrative management post with an unlimited expense account.

She also suffered from career burnout and had no “life!”

Recognizing that an increased standard of living doesn’t guarantee an increased quality of life, Liesbet did the unthinkable. At age 33, she “downsized” her lifestyle, built up her savings, quit her job, and retired.

Dutch-born, Liesbet has corporate experience in advertising, sales, marketing, and management positions in Fortune 500 companies including Irving Trust Bank and Eastman Kodak. Her last job with Eastpak, Inc. took her to Europe, Mexico, and Canada where she observed other cultures’ values regarding work/life balance.

Since 1998, through her company Windmill Worldwide, Liesbet offers provocative keynote speeches, seminars, and executive coaching to create transformational experiences for her clients. Her tools and strategies motivate participants to reclaim their work/life balance rather than “channel surf” their way through life.

She’s helped inspire real changes for individuals in a variety of organizations. Her clients have included: Amgen, the Boeing Co., DuPont, Eddie Bauer, Gensler Architecture, Immunex, Steelcase, and Weyerhaeuser.

Others include: AARP, Canadian Booksellers Association, Eastern Michigan University, International Interior Design Association, US Federal Courts, Unitarian Church, United Behavioral Health, Virginia Mason Hospital, and many educational institutions.

She resides in the Emerald City, Seattle, Washington.

In-between rainstorms, Liesbet likes to play soccer, research genealogy, and volunteer. She is currently writing a book, Tilt: Life-Balance Strategies from a Windmill.

Education: B.A. Political Science-cum laude; Vassar College, Poughkeepsie, NY.