Who is Leen van den Heuvel?
After working for more than 30 years as a manager at a large contracting company in the Netherlands in various fields, including communications, procurement of (large-scale) projects and sustainability, there came the opportunity at the end of 2024 to become self-employed.
About
I have a great passion for speed skating. Through my years of experience in organizing major skating events, my extensive management experience at the KNSB (Royal Dutch Skating Association), my knowledge as an ISU Sport Expert and my contacts with various international stakeholders within the skating world, I have very extensive knowledge of long track speed skating.
My greatest strength lies in staying calm, even in stressful situations, and not losing sight of the bigger picture. I am someone who works hard, has an eye for detail and a go-getter.
As a child of the water-rich Krimpenerwaard region, with its rich skating history, I was on skates from an early age. As a child you learned to ride a bike, swim and skate.
In my ‘skating career’ I made it to the regional subtop and was twice allowed to compete in a National Junior Championships. My highlight was becoming club champion of STV Lekstreek, on natural ice in Schoonhoven, where I kept Leo Visser behind me. But he competed in the World Championships in Inzell the following year, and for me, the ship foundered in terms of national competitions.
I have always enjoyed my competitive career and learned that hard work pays off. I have always benefited from this later in my career.
After my active career I became an administrator, I was chairman of Schaats Trainings Vereniging Lekstreek for many years, and I did several trainers’ courses, after which I coached a young group of talents for many years, with participation in NK Juniors and Seniors as highlights. I still coach various groups within several associations with weekly speed skating training and occasionally jump in to help my wife Monique Vergeer-van den Heuvel with her training weeks in Inzell.
My experience in organizing major skating events can be found under “Advice & Guidance.
I have also gained extensive experience at my previous employers in such diverse positions as Head of Business Office, Tender Manager, Head of Department of Quality, Safety and Environment, Head of PR & Communications, Manager of CSR & Communications and Sustainability Manager.
Furthermore, over the years I also held the roles of Secretary of the Works Council, Compliance Officer and Confidential Advisor, giving me a wide range of areas of expertise and competencies.
All aspects together come into their own when organizing skating events from VDH Schaatsevents advies & begeleiding.