Digital Creator – Freelancer – NL
DATA.
STRATEGY.
IMPACT.
Leon is a Rotterdam-based data and digital strategist with twelve years of experience across startups, scale-ups and one of Europe’s leading business schools.
At RSM Erasmus I work as a key driver of data-driven decision making within the alumni team, shaping how a 55,000-strong alumni network is segmented, understood and engaged with based on data, metrics and insights.
Through my brand It Is Leon I consults, speak and create content on data-driven decision making, AI in practice and digital tools that actually work.
My career so far
From co-founding a community foundation in Rotterdam to scaling international student housing across Europe, from business development to running data projects for one of the Netherlands’ top business schools.
There has always been a red line throughout my career. Not the job title, but the mindset: Find the problem, build the solution, measure results, improve.
Freelance LDV Concepts Launched
I started my professional career as a Freelance Creative Project Manager back in 2015. I worked on a wide range of projects, such as launching my own foundation, doing tour photography, creating WordPress Websites for clients and running long-term festival projects on a freelance base.
Co-Founder Stichting Dit Is Zuid (This is South Foundation)
It started with a simple idea: Rotterdam South deserved better representation. Co-founded a foundation that gave guided tours, spotlighted local initiatives and changed the narrative around an underrated part of the city. First lesson in what happens when you stop waiting for someone else to fix something.
University Relations Manager – HousingAnywhere
Helped grow an early-stage platform from 20 to 150 partner universities across Europe and the US. Built two new service models from scratch — both became company standard. My first real taste of what data-backed product thinking can do at scale.
Business Developer & Project Manager – Unknown Group / Get in the Ring
Managed international partnerships, led the bid for a global flagship event and built a podcast and video studio from the ground up — during a pandemic. Proof that stakeholder management and creative problem-solving are the same skill wearing different clothes.
Data Management Officer – RSM EUR
Joined RSM to bring structure and strategy to how a 55,000-strong alumni network can be engaged with smart data and marketing automation solutions. Built dashboards, designed data processes, trained colleagues and ended up speaking at international conferences about it. Won a CASE Circle of Excellence Award in 2024 for bringing marketing automation into alumni relations.