After achieving my M.Sc. in Computer Science (1993) and my EngD in Software Technology (1995), both from Eindhoven University of Technology, I joined the Royal Netherlands Navy after which I joined Philips. Since 1998 I have been working for Eindhoven University of Technology and currently I am Coordinator External Partnerships at the university's Department of Mathematics and Computer Science focusing on the establishment and support of public-private partnerships with industry for R&D and (technological) innovation in/using mathematics and computer science for delivering meaningful solutions to our grand challenges leading to societal impact.