Get to know the team
Organization
HZ Studio – The Garage depends on the co-design of various stakeholders that come and go. Three HZ colleagues are the stable factor and form the management team. Jessica Rongen-Borgs, Charlotte Röhl and Timo Derriks collectively operate the studio. Each has its own focus area and key responsibilities while decisions are made jointly. In case of need, we can cover for each other on particular tasks.
The organization of the Garage, its development and scaling is enabled by a strategic plan that includes general guiding principles. Although priorities of our development change from time to time, we are working on separate or overlapping aspects of:
- The fostering of interdisciplinary learning within the HZ by exploring space in current structures, give suggestions for altered structures, experiment with new possibilities, learn from failures and implement the successes we celebrate.
- The development of transdisciplinary learning and development, stimulated by fitting project formulations, matching with relevant programs and enthusiastic students, set expectations, create a relevant toolbox, shape and facilitate processes of collaboration.
- The creation of a research agenda that allows us to investigate, report and share what we do, how we do it, and its outcome. The research is closely related to our daily innovation studio practices but positioned in the wider community of practice related to living labs.
Meet the team
Timo Derriks
Strategy & innovation
Timo is the Garage's educational leader. Operating mostly behind the scenes, he constantly scans the environment for possibilities to improve the learning that takes place within the innovation studio. His belief in the use of inter- and transdisciplinary learning is a driver to make the Garage matter for both the HZ and the region of Zeeland. In strategizing, there is a nonstop effort for optimalisation and educational restructuring by aligning the various involved practices. Agility is treasured in attempts to make the connection between study programs, research units and projects truly work. Guiding the managerial organization of The Garage, he does however argue it is the unfolding of projects and students’ learning by Charlotte and endeavors in community engagement by Jessica that guarantee the success of the studio.
Charlotte Röhl
Project development & supervision
Charlotte is head of projects and supervises the students at The Garage. Driven by her passion to regenerate industries and places, she is the gatekeeper of relevancy and impact. By means of interacting with the group, commissioners and other stakeholder, she continuously balances the various interests at play and always searches for a win-win-win. Having a helicopter view of the projects that are taking place allows her to track progress and step in when needed. Aware of each running project group's objective and challenges, she steers the team forward and coaches each individual’s learning journey. The combination of her expertise in design thinking, the content related to projects, approachability, and the ability to let members think critically makes Charlotte a key person in the Garage.
Jessica Borgs
Management & organization
Jessica is our community and marketing manager. Her can-do mentality is powered by a great amount of curiosity and positive attitude. A background in vitality combined with experience in office and service management assures the crucial role Jessica fulfills in the Garage. By keeping an eye out on every body's work life balance, supervising the employee wellbeing program and steering the social activity committee, she is responsible for improving and maintaining our precious, unique work environment. Students are supported by Jessica on professional behavior and dedication. By being in charge of the internal and external promotional activities, she makes sure interested stakeholders are well informed on collaboration possibilities and expectations.