How is ... doing these days?
Rosalie Kuyvenhoven
Rosalie Kuyvenhoven joined Turner in 2003 as a newly minted theologian. She stayed with us for ten years, but then moved to London to build a whole new life. What is that life like? — Hint: very different! — And how does she look back on her time at Turner?
How would you describe your time at Turner?
“The first word that comes to mind is ‘inspiring.’ I learned a great deal at Turner—not only about the consulting profession, but also about myself as a person and a professional. I think that’s typical of Turner. I had an atypical background, but I was embraced nonetheless.”
What was so different about your background?
“I studied theology and had started my doctoral research at VU University Amsterdam. For various reasons, I got stuck there and wanted to explore the wider world. I wanted to apply the curiosity and skills I’d gained from my academic training in a different setting. Management consulting seemed very interesting to me, and that’s how I ended up at Turner.”
What was it like to get started back then?
“I was pleasantly surprised: I was allowed to go with the client from day one and was taken seriously in my role right away. People listened to my analyses, ideas, and solutions. That gave me a lot of confidence. It was nerve-wracking to be thrown in at the deep end like that, but it did allow me to get hands-on experience with all aspects of the profession.”
What have you learned from us?
“Yes, the blue and red sides of change—how they go hand in hand. That probably applies to everything in life, not just organizational development. In addition, at Turner we always looked for possibilities: if we had three solutions for our client, we’d find three more to keep an open mind.”
What did you like best back then?
“I came from an environment where I was pretty much on my own. It was nice to work in teams at Turner. Everyone had their own expertise and background, and each of us added a piece of the puzzle to the bigger picture. We had a lot of fun, and our team-building events were legendary. It was really my coworkers who made the work so enjoyable.”
You've been working with us for ten years—how have you grown in your role?
“A lot happened in my personal life during that time: I was 27 when I joined and 37 when I left. During that time, I got married and had two children. My father also passed away during that period. Fortunately, Turner supported me, so I had the space to handle those personal matters as well. As a ‘high achiever,’ I identify strongly with and am deeply committed to my work, but that sometimes leads me to push myself too hard. This period taught me how important work is, but also how important those other things in life are. I then delved deeper and deeper into the concept of meaning in organizations. How do we ensure that people can find meaning in their organization? So that work is also fulfilling? And so that people have a place where they feel “seen”?”
"I had an atypical background, but I was welcomed just the same. That's typical of Turner."
Rosalie van Kuyvenhoven, a Turner alumna
Why did you leave Turner?
“We were moving to London! We’d always wanted to experience living and working abroad, and then, quite suddenly, a job opportunity came up for my husband in London. In February, we found out he got the job, and he was able to start in May. So within three months, we canceled everything, packed up our family, and left. For me, the world was wide open again. I ended up at EY and worked in Learning & Development. Still, the traveling, working full-time, and taking care of two small children became too much for me. So I transitioned to an internal part-time position.”
You're doing something completely different now—tell me about it?
“At some point, it started to weigh on me. I really wanted to combine my background in theology, my interest in the meaning of life, and business administration, but I didn’t know how. My father was a pastor. I’d also always found it special to create meaningful experiences for people going through a life transformation, regardless of their faith. Then I discovered the role of a ‘celebrant’—someone who leads ceremonies. That’s very common in Great Britain. After completing a number of training courses, I started officiating weddings alongside my day job, and later, funerals as well. That’s truly my passion.”
What's so great about funerals?
“In Great Britain, funerals are still held in a very traditional way, so there’s still a lot of room for improvement. My approach is very client-centered: who are we doing this for, anyway? What suits the deceased and the family? Together with the family, I can create something beautiful that helps them come to terms with their loss and begin their lives without that person. I now do this work full-time, and I absolutely love it.”
So what are the best parts of your job?
“It’s a privilege to be there at such an important and vulnerable moment in someone’s life. You end up spending nearly two weeks with the bereaved, delving deep with them and then letting them go again. You create something they’ll look back on for the rest of their lives—not just with a deep sense of sadness, but also with something positive. A lot of creativity also comes to the surface during such moments. Think of a granddaughter who makes little hearts and hands them out to everyone. Or a violinist who comes to play. Or the beautiful video messages people make, now that they’re unable to attend in person due to COVID-19.”
"It is a privilege to be there at such an important and vulnerable moment in someone's life."
Rosalie Kuyvenhoven, a Turner alumna
What are you most proud of?
“I’ve won a number of great awards. Awards are very much a part of English culture, so I try to keep a level head about them. But when I was just starting out, I received an award for Best Newcomer from an independent association for funeral directors and professionals. It was a fantastic recognition. I also won an award as a National Celebrant, partly based on a funeral I had conducted for a baby. The parents had written a very touching story about how I had helped them. I’m also still proud that we moved to London and built a life here.”
How are you coping during the COVID-19 pandemic?
“I find the tremendous warmth and connection between people—despite the distance—truly beautiful. It gives me hope. Of course, this is a disruptive time, and everyone has lost someone or something, but I’ve also seen how people have found solace in one another during sad and sometimes tragic events.”
Do you still have dreams for the future?
“Enough! I can’t wait to come back to the Netherlands and see my family. And although what’s happening at the government level during this pandemic makes me sad, I’m also seeing all kinds of positive movements emerging in the community. That gives me hope for the climate, because that’s something I’m very concerned about. How do we create a world where we all enjoy a certain level of prosperity and can be healthy? How do we think not only of ourselves, but also of nature and the generations that come after us? Talk about strategy implementation!”
That's right! How do you deal with that?
“I hope to contribute something to the world of funerals every day, by offering more compassion, beauty, and comfort rather than a technocratic approach. It might sound a little sentimental, but what this work teaches me is that life is about love and genuine attention. It’s about looking people in the eye and letting them feel that you truly see them. It’s about engaging in conversation without judgment: Who are you, what do you need, and how can I help you? That’s when a real connection is formed. “
Well said, Rosalie!
Photos courtesy of Rosalie van Kuyvenhoven and Sacred Stones Ltd.
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