Dr. Bert van Essen is a sports doctor and co-owner of SMC SportMáx, a leading sports expertise center in the Netherlands. Dr. van Essen specializes in the treatment of complex musculoskeletal problems for professional and recreational athletes. He is a firm believer in open communication with people so that they feel equipped to take action. In addition to his work at SportMáx, he has 20 years of experience in sports coaching at national football clubs, and is currently head of medical staff for the NAC Breda football club.

Dr. Bruce Wolffenbuttel is an expert in endocrinology, metabolic diseases and diabetes at the University of Groningen. Previously, he was scientific director of the Netherlands LifeLines population study, investigating the genetic and environmental factors behind why some people age more healthily than others. Dr. Wolffenbuttel has published extensive research into biobanking, endocrinology, diabetes and IT solutions in healthcare. He is currently secretary for the Dutch Society for Endocrinology and is a member of the Dutch Journal of Diabetology’s editorial board.

Dr. Hanno Pijl is a professor of diabetology at the Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC). As a strong supporter of people managing their health proactively, he is currently co-chairing LUMC’s joint effort to set up an innovation center focusing on lifestyle changes that will boost people’s health. Throughout his academic career, Prof. Dr. Pijl has co-authored more than 250 research papers, primarily 
covering obesity and type 2 diabetes. He has also collaborated in shaping government policy on nutrition as a member of the Dutch Health Council’s advisory committee.

Prof. Jaap Seidell is a professor of nutrition and health at the Vrije Universiteit (VU) Amsterdam. As an expert on nutrition, he dedicates most of his research efforts to the causes and consequences of obesity, focusing on how people can prevent excess body fat and manage their weight. Prof. Seidell regularly contributes to research initiatives for government agencies, NGOs, food-industry organizations and the media. Next to that, he is a member of the editorial board of the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

Dr. Richard Verheesen is an expert in rheumatology and has practiced at Máxima MC, a leading medical center in the south east of The Netherlands, for over 15 years. In recent years, his attention has shifted to the organizational side of healthcare alongside rheumatology. Dr. Verheesen believes good care can only be achieved through good organization focusing on the needs of people. He is a firm advocate of shifting the paradigm of healthcare towards predictive prevention, as people’s nutrition and lifestyle play such an important role in defining their health.

Dr. Tamara de Weijer is a general practitioner. She is a firm advocate of the power of lifestyle – and in particular, nutrition – on people’s health. Drawing from her own experience of using lifestyle as medicine to reduce bowel complaints, she has written two books on the benefits of good 
nutrition in people’s daily lives. Dr. de Weijer is an ambassador for the Dutch national action plan for fruit and vegetables. She is also the founder of “Arts & Leefstijl”, a rapidly growing association of professionals involved in preventive health.

Prof. Dr. Tom J. de Koning is Chair of Pediatrics at Lund University, Sweden, and is an expert in the interface between neurology, genetics and inborn errors of metabolism. Previously, he was Chair of the Department of Metabolic Diseases, University Medical Centre Utrecht, before moving to Groningen in 2012. In Groningen, Dr. de Koning still works in the areas of neurology, genetics and inborn errors, particularly relating to movement disorders in children and adults. Next to his clinical tasks and training, he has an MBA in healthcare management.