Leonie Hussaarts
Director
Director Leonie Hussaarts brings a solid dose of experience at the intersection of science, innovation and strategy. She received her PhD from LUMC and previously worked on complex collaborations at Lygature Foundation, QuTech and TU Delft’s Dream Hall, among others.
“My passion lies in innovation and building strong, knowledge-driven ecosystems. I’m proud to be able to do that in my own region.”
Do you see opportunities for collaboration? Make an appointment to discuss it!
Els Frankhuijzen
Innovation program manager
Els Frankhuijzen has been strengthening Key Region Leiden and the Leiden Bio Science Park since February 2026 as a program manager and strategic advisor in the field of knowledge and innovation. With degrees in Life Sciences and Health (Wageningen University and Research Center) and Business Administration (The Hague University of Applied Sciences), as well as extensive experience in knowledge-intensive sectors, she develops complex programs and fosters sustainable partnerships. As a natural connector, she brings organizations together to accelerate innovation and translate it into concrete results.
“I believe in the power of shared ambition. It’s special to be able to channel that energy now into a region where I’ve lived for 30 years.”
Jan Wessendorp
Space and Framework Conditions Manager
Jan Wessendorp is the Program Manager for Spatial Planning & Framework Conditions. Jan brings extensive experience at the intersection of regional economics, spatial development, and regional cooperation. In recent years, he has been involved in projects such as the regional business park strategy, the development of profiles for Leiden’s business parks, and the exploration of the ROM-B. Drawing on his experience working with various municipalities, he is skilled at bringing stakeholders together and translating complex challenges into concrete administrative decisions and actionable programs.
“I believe that a strong regional economy starts with effective collaboration. By setting clear priorities, bringing stakeholders together, and working together to achieve our goals, we continue to build an economically strong and future-proof region.”
Paul Vismans
Quartermaster ROM-B
Paul Vismans, ROM-B’s project manager, brings extensive experience in project development, real estate investment, and corporate real estate. He serves on two boards of directors and assists clients with strategic issues, transactions, and complex area developments; he is also a director of ROM-D in the Drechtsteden region. Previously, he served as director of various ABP real estate funds and held leadership and advisory roles within public and private organizations.
“I bring parties together and carry out projects that have a lasting impact, whether through independent consulting or project implementation, with a focus on sustainable choices.”
Paul Tankink
Senior Area Developer ROM-B
Paul Tankink is the senior area developer at ROM-B. He has extensive experience in project development, area development, commercial real estate, and real estate funds. Currently, he is primarily active as a business park developer, mediator, and supervisor in both the public and private sectors. He holds a number of board and supervisory positions but is particularly actively involved in business relocation processes at ROM-D in the Drechtsteden region. Previously, he worked in the financial real estate sector and served as a board member of various publicly traded real estate funds.
“There is a great need in the Netherlands to increase the density and sustainability of existing business parks and work sites. I am eager to contribute to this form of area development, which is of enormous social and economic importance.”
Richard Boot
ROM-B, a real estate developer
Richard will serve as the area developer for ROM-B. He has extensive experience in the field of spatial economics. More specifically, he specializes in formulating strategies for area development and business relocation issues and then implementing them. He currently serves as the Spatial Development Cluster Manager for the municipality of Alblasserdam and as a project manager at ROM-D, the 100% publicly owned implementing organization for the Drechtsteden region. He is particularly closely involved in the redevelopment of the former Nedstaal site and the associated, high-risk business relocation. Richard also oversaw the previously completed relocation of Peute from start to finish on behalf of ROM-D and the municipality of Alblasserdam. In his municipal role, Richard is leading the transformation of the Mercon-Kloos site into 275 housing units, as well as various other projects. Previously, he worked as a strategic advisor and policy officer for spatial planning at the municipalities of Alblasserdam, Papendrecht, and Zederik.
“Governments can make a much bigger difference for society. I prefer decisive and action-oriented measures in the here and now to creating new policies and visions in the hope that they will change the future. By actively taking on the challenge, a government demonstrates that it recognizes the task at hand and wants to be part of the solution. Collaboration is the path forward, and trust is the foundation. I am therefore eager to contribute to accelerating area development and business relocation at the regional level.”
Dwayne van der Klugt
Project Manager, SME Action Agenda
Dwayne van der Klugt advises companies on how to strengthen their future-readiness through individual coaching and regional programs. Thanks to his SME background and experience as an entrepreneur, he understands the realities of entrepreneurship from the inside out and connects these insights with public-private programs. As a resident of Leiden, he finds it valuable to contribute to economic development right here and to bring best practices—which he, or one of his approximately 100 colleagues at KplusV, has gained nationwide—to the Key Region Leiden.
“My goal is to help entrepreneurs grow by providing concrete, practical, and forward-looking support through the national SME action agenda and by capitalizing on digitalization opportunities within the Key Region Leiden project, Digitaliseringwerkt.nl.”
Gert Jan Bunschoten
Project Assistant, Digitization at Werkt
“Entrepreneurs want to do what they do best: run their businesses. We help them by providing the knowledge, support, and conditions they need to continue doing so in an increasingly digital and complex world. With ‘Digitalization Works,’ we help entrepreneurs become stronger today and remain competitive tomorrow.”
Joke Busschots
Sr. Communications Advisor
As a senior communications advisor, Joke Busschots plays a strategic role in strengthening Key Region Leiden’s positioning and communications. With extensive experience within municipal organizations and in collaboration with business associations, municipalities, knowledge clusters, and educational institutions, she brings together diverse interests and perspectives. In her work, she focuses on clear communication strategies, well-defined frameworks, and building a strong regional community. By connecting people, stories, and developments, she fosters trust, engagement, and a shared positioning that is recognizable and well-established even beyond the region.
Jarra Schroijen
Advisor strategy & policy
Jarra Schroijen advises and supports the director in determining the strategy, working methods and further development of the implementing organization of Key Region Leiden Foundation. He brings the knowledge he gained at the Municipality of Leiden in the Strategy and Public Affairs department into his work on a daily basis, as well as the organizational skills he has developed at various volunteer organizations. Together with the team of Key Region Leiden, he is working on a robust organization that may lift the Key Region Leiden region to the next level, thanks to the close cooperation with the various partners that Key Region Leiden has.
Deborah Maat
Online business manager / secretariat
Deborah is the silent beating heart behind the scenes of Key Region Leiden. As online business manager, she is the right hand of director Leonie Hussaarts, whose schedule she manages in a tight and orderly manner. Where things get busy, Deborah gets quiet. She has a natural talent for creating order out of chaos: she oversees the whole, sets priorities and makes sure nothing falls between the cracks. No meeting missed, no appointment overlooked. With Deborah at her side, Leonie knows that the basics are always in order so that she can fully focus on what really matters: working together on a robust region.