SPARK - Contact Amsterdam

Mr. Yannick du Pont - Director

Founder of ATA (SPARK since July 1st, 2007). Has been working in the field of development cooperation in post-conflict countries since 1994 (Southeast Europe, Afghanistan, Azerbaijan). MA in International Relation, University of Amsterdam. MA in Sociology, University of Amsterdam. Worked for the Netherlands Minister of Development Cooperation (1996/1997); the Dutch IKV; and the Development organization of the Dutch Labor Party, the Evert Vermeer Foundation. Was engaged as researcher for the Netherlands Institute for International Institute of International Relations “Clingendael” to evaluate the performance of the OSCE Mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina (2000/2001). And lectured an MA course at the University of Amsterdam on Southeast Europe.
"Working with SPARK is not work. It’s a hobby and a mission." Signed code of conduct

Mr. Michel Richter - Co-Director
Member of founding group of Spark (formerly YSY and ATA) in 1994. MA in political science & international relations of the University of Amsterdam. MA thesis on the reconstruction process in Bosnia & Herzegovina and the role of the international community after Dayton. Previously worked for a Dutch refugee centre as a country documentalist facilitating legal support to asylum seekers. Working in development cooperation in Southeast Europe and other countries such as Afghanistan, and more recently Africa, since 2000. A pragmatic idealist and strong promoter of a more innovative, unconventional and business-like approach towards development cooperation.
"It is my belief that generating social and economic prosperity through development cooperation is highly complex and a long term process for which no general success formula exists, but which requires short term tangible results in order to ensure wide public or donor support. However, it is for certain that this cannot be done without one essential factor: educated and critically thinking young people ready to take the initiative to change their own lives, and that of society at large." Signed code of conduct

Ms. Dusica Naumovska - Assistant to the Directors
BA in European Studies, specialised in Public Administration.
"SPARK makes the road to success in the Balkans easier. It makes me proud to be part of the team that makes this possible"

Ms. Elizabeth Heath - Project Manager
Based at the University of Warwick, UK 2004-2006 I was the Midlands Hub Manager for UKGRAD-working with all Midlands universities to develop their skills training provision for PhD students and also Manager of the University of Warwicks’s Graduate School Office. MSc in International Development Studies, University of Amsterdam, NL 2006-2007 specialising in opportunities for development of higher education institutions in post-conflict settings.
"SPARK works exceptionally hard to realize its vision and mission. It is a great opportunity to work for such a young, dynamic and enthusiastic organization where people believe in and enjoy what they do."

Ms. Marieke Pluk - Project Manager
MSc. in International Technology and Development Studies at the Eindhoven University of Technology. Worked for BiD Challenge (2004-2007), an international business plan competition that promotes and enhances entrepreneurship in developing countries. Works with Spark since 2007.
"Within SPARK, young and ambitious people get the opportunity to develop themselves in a young and job and to work with the challenging Western Balkan region." Signed code of conduct

Financial Department

Mrs. Delinah Kalshoven
- Head of Finance

Mr. Dimitry Kounine
- Financial Officer

Ms. Shanella Richardson
- Financial Officer

Interns

Mr. Christian Tankam - Intern Finance
Ms. Megan Price - Intern Business Start-up Centres MSc. Conflict Studies from the University of Utrecht. Megan works on an impact assessment of the regional Business Start-up Centre project.
Ms. Sarah Ringler - Intern Education department Sarah works on the Mitrovica Youth Programme.
Ms. Josine Vogelaar - Intern Business Start-up Centres Studies International Business and Languages at University Windesheim, Zwolle. Founded foundation ‘Save’ with co-students in 2005, a fundraising program among students in the Netherlands. In 2006 she studied for half a year in Munich at the university of applied sciences and economics. At the beginning of 2008 she worked at University Windesheim as project assistant on organizing events on sustainability. During her internship at Spark she works on the topic IT outsourcing to the Balkan, about which she will write her BSc thesis. Spark is a breeding ground for me to get inspired on how development can succeed in a professional way. It is great to have the opportunity to get fascinated by this and to see that you can dream big.