Hi, I’m Lieke.

I’ve always been fascinated by what makes people tick, how we connect, and what happens to our sense of self when our environment completely changes.

As a social scientist by training, I spent years captivated by the nuances of bi-cultural upbringing and the psychology behind cultural transitions. But studying transition is one thing; living it is another entirely.

When I packed up my life and relocated to Kenya, I experienced the raw, beautiful, and sometimes exhausting reality of building a life in a totally new world. It was a personal crash course in resilience, navigating identity shifts, and trying to decode the "unwritten rules" of a new home. Later on, becoming a mother here added a whole new, beautiful layer to that journey—learning firsthand what it takes to raise bi-cultural kids while still navigating my own path.

Professionally, this journey has deeply shaped how I lead. As the Managing Director of a fast-growing digital agency here in Africa, my daily focus isn't just on business strategy and operations—it's on people. I spend my days intentionally building a company culture that bridges different backgrounds. I love the challenge of creating environments where multicultural teams can communicate effectively, give meaningful feedback, and truly thrive together.

This unique intersection—my social science roots, my experience leading a cross-cultural company, and my own messy, wonderful expat journey—is exactly why I started Tulips & Thorns Coaching.

I know firsthand that the profound disorientation of moving countries or navigating major life shifts is a heavy load to carry, and you shouldn't have to do it alone. Through my coaching, I work with expats, ambitious professionals, and people navigating the "messy middle" of transition. My goal is to help you move past just surviving, so you can reclaim your confidence, achieve cultural fluency, and truly feel at home.

Whether I'm designing performance frameworks for my team, coaching a client through a moment of culture shock, or figuring out the daily logistics of family life abroad, my mission is the same: helping people find their footing and thrive, no matter where they are in the world.