Organisational Structure

Judith is a Project Manager with 8+ years of experience in the non-profit and public sector with large-scale consortia projects and creating social impact. As Director, she oversees the staff and the overall implementation of programmes within WIQD, ensuring that all initiatives are executed effectively and in line with our strategic goals. She also coordinates the overall budget and focuses on establishing new projects and partnerships, identifying opportunities that will enhance our mission and expand our reach.

Besides these responsibilities, she serves as a panelist and a trainer, contributing her expertise to discussions and educational sessions within and outside the organization.

You can contact Judith at j.e.kreukels@uva.nl

Liran moved to the Netherlands 11 years ago to study at the UvA, where he studied Political Science, Psychology, Law, and Economics, followed by a Master’s in Social Psychology. Afterwards, he started working at SaaS Companies as a project manager, where he connected with multiple clients and companies, worked with colleagues from all over the world, and gained vast experience in human behaviour and stakeholder management. Until recently, Liran managed the Trilateral cooperation between the Netherlands, Germany, and France in the field of Quantum Technology.

In 2026, Liran joined WIQD as Fundraising and Projects Manager.

You can contact Liran at projects@wiqd.nl

Inge Simon is a Marketing & Communication Consultant and Project Manager with over 25 years of experience in helping organisations, businesses, startups and communities strengthen their strategy, communication and impact. She has a strong track record in innovative and emerging technologies, including Quantum Technology and Solar PV energy.

As a Project and Communication Lead, she brings together strategy, communication, people and organisations, ensuring that projects move forward effectively and that different disciplines and stakeholders stay connected. She is experienced in organising complex projects and events, building communities and partnerships, and translating strategic goals into clear and engaging communication.

Alongside her project and communication work, Inge is a community builder and an experienced organiser, often acting as the ‘spider in the web’ between different stakeholders.

You can contact Inge at i.simon@wiqd.nl

Alexandra is a science and technology communicator with a background in theoretical physics, focusing on quantum since 2022. Driven by a strong desire to share scientific discoveries beyond academic circles and create links between science and society, she completed a postgraduate studies in science communication at the University of Oviedo, Spain, in 2014.  In 2025, she collaborated as a content manager for the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology, with the American Physical Society and UNESCO.

At WIQD, she develops and coordinates the communications strategy, manages WIQD’s online presence, and supports marketing and outreach activities.

You can contact Alexandra at communications@wiqd.nl

Nina originally comes from the Czech Republic where she studied Economics. She finished her MSc in Finance combined with an MBA in 2014 at Texas Tech University. She worked in the finance industry (KPMG and Lynx broker) in Prague and Amsterdam until she shifted gears into the quantum world by joining the Applied Quantum Algorithms research group of Leiden University as a management assistant. Nina loves being involved in an international community and bringing people together is her passion. The topic of inclusivity and equal rights is current for her as she has a young daughter and a son. She would love her children to grow up in a world where the opportunities are the same for both genders.

Caiseal is a PhD candidate at the Faculty of Industrial Design Engineering at TU Delft, exploring Quantum Human-Computer Interaction and developing new mental models of quantum computing to improve accessibility.

Jana is a PhD student at TU Delft, where she works on hybrid quantum systems coupling superconducting qubits to nanomechanical resonators. Her research explores superconducting qubits as high-fidelity tools for generating and detecting single phonons. To this end, she models qubit designs, translates them into nanofabricated devices in the cleanroom, and characterizes them through cryogenic microwave experiments. Outside the lab, she enjoys cycling, music, and gardening.

Masoume is currently a Technical Team Lead at Single Quantum, where she applies her expertise in physics and photonics to develop cutting-edge quantum sensor systems that drive innovation in both research and industry.

Originally from Iran and with years of experience in the Dutch high-tech industry, she has witnessed firsthand the importance of creating inclusive spaces in science and technology. Masoume is passionate about actively contributing to advancing diversity and inclusion within the quantum community. Beyond her professional interests, she enjoys hiking, painting, and cooking.

Shamira Ahmed is a social scientist with over a decade of transdisciplinary experience at the intersection of multidimensional inequity, digital economy policy, structural economic transformation, and global governance.

She is a PhD Candidate at TU Delft’s Quantum Governance and Values Lab, where her research focuses on the responsible governance of quantum innovation ecosystems in the Netherlands.

Shamira is also the founder and Executive Director of the Data Economy Policy Hub (DepHUB), the first independent think tank established by an Indigenous African woman, in South Africa. She has contributed to numerous public interest digital economy policy and society initiatives, such as: the African Union’s “Data Policy Framework”, the Global Partnership on AI’s (GPAI) advancement report “Towards Real Diversity and Gender Equality in AI”, Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), Planet Positive’s “Strong Sustainability by Design: Prioritizing Ecosystem and Human Flourishing with Technology-based Solutions”, and most recently, UNESCO’s “Human Rights Centered Global Governance of Quantum Technologies”, to name a few.

After completing her Bachelor’s in Electrical Engineering, she decided to pursue a Master’s in Quantum Information Science & Technology at TU Delft and Leiden University to learn more about quantum sensing, superconducting devices, and quantum phenomena in semiconductor structures. During her short time in the US as a student-athlete right after high school, she learned the value of community service and leadership. Since then, Chelsea has attended and become active as a volunteer at several events focused on tech, sports, and inclusivity.

She likes to spend her free time playing tennis and reading.

Sjoerd Wijgerse is a freelancer specialising in quantum games and interactive quantum experiences. He currently works with Quantum Delta NL, specifically the Centre for Quantum & Society (CQS), where he contributes to making quantum technology accessible to broader audiences through games, escape rooms, theatre shows, art, and many other interactive experiences.

Sjoerd holds a BSc in Applied Physics from Fontys University of Applied Sciences. During his studies, he founded EduQuation, a pioneering Dutch student team focused on quantum games, which laid the foundation for his specialisation in the field. Today, he remains involved as a member of its Board of Trustees, supporting the next generation of the team.

Aleksandra is a student of the Maastricht Science Programme. She aims to pursue a career in physics, with a future focus on quantum physics and its applications in materials science. The interdisciplinary environment of her bachelor’s programme enables her to contribute a broader perspective to the discussion. Aleksandra has previous experience in volunteering on the local level and leadership roles during her undergraduate studies, which makes her a valuable contributor to the organising committee. In addition to being a physics enthusiast, she enjoys cooking, going on long walks, and learning about nutrition.  

Robert Baker is Founder and CEO of Potentia Talent Consulting which advises organisations on building diverse, equitable and inclusive cultures and workplaces. This enables them to meet the key business challenges of disruption, innovation and growth. Robert also coaches individual leaders to achieve their full potential and is a keen proponent of the growth mindset.

Robert is a thought leader on diversity & inclusion and on engaging men as allies to support gender equality: at work, at home and in all aspects of life. In recognition of his achievements in supporting women in the workplace, he was named a Top 50 Gender Equity Trailblazer for 2023 by WeAreTheCity.

Robert is past Co-President of PWN Global, a major global women’s network. He currently sits on the Board of One Loud Voice For Women and is an Advisory Board Member for the Sister Sister Network.

He was elected as a Companion to the Chartered Management Institute in 2019 and joined an elite group of 500 business leaders working together to advance leadership and management.

Robert has spoken at numerous conferences and has contributed to many podcasts, publications and blogs on the importance of engaging men in gender equity.

You can follow Robert on LinkedIn and on X.

With a PhD in Economics (Institutions and MNEs) and a Master’s in Management, Julia brings a wealth of experience from her work with the European Commission, regional ministries in Germany, and major EU innovation and quantum initiatives such as Quantum Delta NL, EuroHPC JU, QCI, and QuantERA.

Julia’s expertise lies in network creation, sustainable governance, and infrastructure development, critical components in driving quantum innovation forward.

Currently a Senior Adviser for EU Programs and Coordinator for Funding and Programs at Quantum Delta NL, she also lectures on innovation and international management.

Marisa is a seasoned legal expert driving ethical governance in emerging technologies, particularly quantum. Through her work with the Quantum Policy Academy, CEPS Task Forces, and other EU initiatives, she has helped shape Europe’s approach to quantum regulation and digital sovereignty.

As Chief Legal Officer at Women in Tech Global and CEO of Verae Legal, Marisa champions diversity, digital rights, and legal innovation. She also co-founded Inov@legal, contributes to Legal Hackers, and serves on the board of the European Legal Tech Association.

As the President of the Humanity of Things Agency, Marisa ensures digital human rights remain central to tech development.

Stacey Jeffery has been a Senior Researcher at CWI, affiliated with QuSoft, since January 2017. She also holds a position as a professor by special appointment in Quantum Information at the University of Amsterdam. Before that, she was an IQIM Postdoctoral Fellow at the Institute for Quantum Information and Matter (IQIM) at Caltech. She received her PhD in Computer Science from the University of Waterloo in 2014, where she was affiliated with the Institute for Quantum Computing.

Stacey’s research is in applications of quantum computers, including quantum algorithms and cryptographic protocols. In particular she has worked on frameworks for facilitating the design of quantum algorithms. She is also interested in the theoretical limits of quantum computers, such as lower bounds on time and space.

Stacey co-founded WIQD because she feels that she has benefited immensely from a professional support network of other women, and wanted to ensure that others have the opportunity to develop a similar network, as well as gain exposure to a variety of role models with diverse approaches to work and life.

Since October 2020, Lisa Kohl is a researcher in the Cryptology Group at CWI Amsterdam headed by Ronald Cramer. A special focus of her work lies in exploring new directions in secure computation with the goal of developing practical post-quantum secure protocols.

Before coming to CWI, Lisa worked as a postdoctoral researcher with Yuval Ishai at Technion. In 2019, she completed her PhD at Karlsruhe Institute of Technology under the supervision of Dennis Hofheinz. During her PhD, she spent eight months in the FACT center at IDC Herzliya for a research visit with Elette Boyle. Lisa got to know the CWI Cryptology Group already back in 2015, when she wrote her master’s thesis there as a visiting student.

Evert is an assistant professor at Leiden University, and is embedded within the Applied Quantum Algorithms Group (aQa) there. He focuses on machine learning and artificial intelligence for quantum physics, with topics including from detecting phase transitions, AI-assisted (quantum) experiments and representation learning of quantum states.

In addition, he is actively involved in quantum outreach, and is the creator of the quantum game TiqTaqToe.

Ingrid Romijn holds a PhD in physics and has previously worked at TNO as researcher, project lead and program manager on solar cells technology.

Ingrid joined QuTech (a collaboration between TUDelft and TNO) as program manager in 2018. In 2019, she was part of the team to create and write the Dutch National Agenda for Quantum Technology. From 2020 – 2022 Ingrid worked for the Quantum Delta Foundation as program manager for the National Quantum Network (CAT-2) program.

Ingrid is also one of the co-founders of Q*Bird B.V., a startup (2022) from QuTech. Q*Bird’s mission is to provide equipment for the current and future quantum internet.

Romana Schirhagl received her PhD in chemistry in 2009 from the University of Vienna where she also studies biology as a second subject. She then went on to do postdoc at Stanford and ETH Zurich where she fell in love with quantum sensing. In 2014 she started the Romana Schirhagl group in Bioimaging & Bioanalysis at the University of Groningen where she applies NV center based sensing to biomedical applications.