Our founder, mission and team
Who we are
The journey to Fearless:
a note from our founder, Mérida
After 7.5 years as an innovation and concept designer, I left the corporate world to build Project Fearless. On paper, it was an odd (and definitely fearless!) leap to make… but I’ve realised my wiring for human-centric design shaped the switch.
Building for people, with people, and creating empowering solutions is what gives me energy.
It’s what I loved about working as an adaptive snowboard coach for kids and adults with disabilities. It’s what later drew me to concept design — and also made me realise the impact I could make in the corporate design world wasn’t enough for me. And it’s what drives me now, shaping and growing Project Fearless to welcome the climate scientists, creatives, kickboxers, skateboarders and entrepreneurs of the future.
Plugging the gaps currently left by society, we want to be the place where girls and kids realise they can be anything they want; where the next generation of teammates and leaders find their voice, their way.
We create an empowering, supportive atmosphere, giving kids space to build resilience and self-confidence, learn to celebrate each other’s falls and wins, and meet accessible role models.
Igniting adventurous and aware humans who know they can tackle whatever life throws at them, and define success however they choose.
Welcome to Project Fearless!
Hugs & high fives,
Mérida
fearless futures
Giving girls* the space, time and tools to figure out who they are — not who they’re expected to be.
We’re creating what parents wish they’d had growing up, and want for their kids now: a place where they can step inside, shed who they “should be”, and figure out who they are instead.
Where they can explore out of their comfort zones and play without the pressure of perfection: moving, building, getting messy and making new friends!
Meet our team
Operations
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Mérida Miller
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Sara van Loon
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Vanessa Guinadi
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Elizabeth Evans-Kiikka
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We are looking for...
an Amsterdam Nieuw-West Coordinator, paid part-time.
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Emma Argüelles
Ams. Operations Coordinator
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Sophie Wodzikova
Rotterdam Operations Coordinator
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Nalan Akyurek
HR Recruitment, Volunteer
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Susan van der Meulen
HR Manager, Volunteer
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Irum Javed
Impact Analyst, Volunteer
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Catherine Sorbara, PhD
Head of Impact & Evaluation, Volunteer
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Chloe Raymond
Events, Volunteer
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Eva Vilachá
Sales, Volunteer
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Gabi Verstappen
Finance Manager & Puzzler, Volunteer
Creative & communications
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Aarathy Balasingam
Motion Graphics & Video Creator, Volunteer
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Tesja Bonnie
Dutch Copywriter, Volunteer
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Iris de Bruin
Lead Designer
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Pablo Chiapetta
Motion Graphic Designer, Volunteer
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Ayanna Colden
Marketing Specialist & Vertrouwenscontactpersoon, Volunteer
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Kirstie Crail
Program Development & Grant Writing
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We are looking for...
a Social Media Strategist, Volunteer
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Minnie Hannuksela
Graphic Designer, Volunteer
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Hannah Hansen
Social Media Manager, Volunteer
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Abi Malins
Lead Copywriter
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Luca van Opstal
Dutch Copywriter, Volunteer
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Zoey Rogaar
Dutch Copywriter, Volunteer
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We are looking for...
a Website Editor/ Controler, Volunteer
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Zoe Harlander
Social Media Youth Advisor, Volunteer
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Sophie Whitworth
Social Media Youth Advisor, Volunteer
Our amazing Coaches
Our Coaches bring Project Fearless to life out there, and we’re ever grateful to them all. They’re accessible role models for the kids who join our courses, showing them that people like them can thrive in leadership positions — and still be fun, be empathetic and, yes, make mistakes sometimes! It’s important that our Coaches represent the kids and neighbourhoods we work with, to make these role model relationships as strong as possible.
Ready to join our Coaching crew? Scroll down and click the “Explore roles” button.
JOIN US
Want to be part of this Fearless team?
…and help change girls’ lives in Amsterdam, Rotterdam and beyond? Check out our open roles and apply today!
