Dr. C.J. GRADENWITZ, MPA, MJur
Executive Director
Christward J. Gradenwitz is the Executive Director of the Fulbright Commission the Netherlands. Previously, he worked with the Treasury Department of the Netherlands, the IMF, the World Bank, and the Netherlands Competition Authority. From 2008 to 2016 Christward was Deputy Secretary General of the Senate of the Netherlands. Prior to joining the Fulbright Commission in December 2020, he worked with the Social Insurance Bank of the Netherlands as General Counsel, and member of the Board of Directors. Before embarking on his career in the public service, Christward interned at United Nations in Geneva. He was a Visiting Fellow at the Rajiv Gandhi Foundation in New Delhi, and a Jean Monnet Fellow at the Robert Schuman Centre for Advanced Studies of the European University Institute in Florence. Having an MA and PhD in International Relations from Leiden University, Christward studied at Sciences Po in Paris, and earned an MJur at the University of Oxford (Christ Church) on a British Chevening Scholarship and a EUROPAEUM Scholarship. For his MPA at Harvard University (Kennedy School of Government), in 2002-2003, Christward received a combined scholarship from both the Netherland-America Foundation and Fulbright.
Ms. L. PIETERSEN, MA
Fulbright Program Manager
Linda joined the Netherlands America Commission for Educational Exchange (now known as the Stichting Fulbright Commission the Netherlands) in 2000. Linda is responsible for directing the Fulbright Program for which she receives many applicants from both Dutch and American students and professors. Linda handles the recruitment and selection of the grantees, and prepares them for their departure to the U.S. or to the Netherlands. Linda majored in European Studies at the University of Amsterdam and consequently worked as a Program Coordinator at the University of Amsterdam for the European Postgraduate Course in Environmental Management.
Ms. M. KOLSTEREN, MA
Fulbright and Campus Scholarship Program Manager & Educational Adviser
Manon joined the Fulbright Commission in 2014. As a Program Manager, she is responsible for the Campus Scholarship Program, the Fulbright Distinguished Awards in Teaching, and the Educational Advising Center. She obtained a Research Master’s degree in Media Studies at the University of Amsterdam and a bachelor’s degree in American Studies at the University of Groningen. During her studies, she took part in an exchange program with the College of Charleston in South Carolina and did her Master’s research in New Orleans. She also lived in Florida and North Dakota. She published a book with interviews with alumni under the title ‘In Amerika heb ik ruim leren denken’ (“In America I’ve learn how to think broadly”).
Ms. V. SUNDIN, MA
Program Assistant
Veronica jointed the Fulbright Commission in 2024. As Program Assistant, she supports the activities of the program managers for both Fulbright Programs and the Campus Scholarship Program, as well as assisting with communication and outreach activities. She is a graduate of Utrecht University, where she obtained her Master’s in Intercultural Communication. Before then, she studied International Relations at the University of Southern California.
Ms. HARING
Financial Administrator
Ms. Haring has been working for the Fulbright Commission since 2016. She has the responsibility of keeping the accounts and preparing the financial statements and reports for management, board and governments. Previously, she has worked at the Royal Academy for Sciences for several years as a financial administrator. As an entrepreneur, she has done decades of administrative services for all kinds of companies as well as for individuals; especially in the field of inheritances.