Meet the strategists and innovators driving the Dutch Defense Cluster forward.

Advisory Board

Iryna Terekh

CEO, FirePoint

Iryna is the CEO of FirePoint, a Ukrainian defense technology company. She leads the development and rapid manufacturing of advanced unmanned systems and missile technologies, providing critical capabilities to meet the urgent needs of the defense sector.

Hans Sandee

Deputy Representative to NATO

Hans serves as a Deputy Representative to NATO for the Netherlands. A senior diplomat with a distinguished career, including a recent tenure as Ambassador to Iraq, he brings deep expertise in international relations, security cooperation, post conflict reconstruction to the DDC.

Sebo Hofkamp

Executive Board of TNO

Rear Admiral Sebo Hofkamp served in a wide range of operational, staff, and command positions, including command of the mine hunter HNLMS Willemstad and the air defense frigate HNLMS De Ruyter
(NATO flagship during Operation Active Endeavour). He was the Netherlands Defense Attaché in Washington DC. From April 2022 till Nov 2024 he was appointed by the director of the Defense Intelligence Agency to be the Dean of the International Corps of Attaches in Washington DC and Chairman of the Defense Attaché Association. After promotion to Rear Admiral at 1 Nov 2025, Hofkamp became the Chief Operating Officer of the Executive Board of TNO on behalf of the MoD.

Vsevolod Chentsov

Ukrainian Ambassador to the EU Mission

Vsevolod is the Head of the Mission of Ukraine to the European Union. A career diplomat with extensive experience, he previously served as Ukraine s Ambassador to the Netherlands. He plays a pivotal role in strengthening Ukraine EU relations, advocating for integration, and coordinating international legal initiatives.

Bernd Rietberg

CEO, Tulip Tech

Bernd is the CEO of Tulip Tech, a company specializing in high performance battery systems for aviation and drones. He leads the PowerLift innovation project, developing modular, high density energy solutions that significantly extend flight times for industrial drones.

Jan Christiaan Dicke

Commissioner for Military Production

Jan Christiaan serves as the Commissioner for Military Production at the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs. He plays a key role in positioning the Dutch defense industry within international frameworks like the European Defense Fund (EDF), fostering innovation and cross border cooperation.

Philippe Vollot

Managing Board Rabobank

Philippe is Chief Operating Officer and a member of the Managing Board of Rabobank, where he is responsible for group-wide operations and also serves as executive sponsor for the defence industry. A senior banking executive with extensive international experience in operations and regulatory matters, he brings strong expertise in governance, resilience and cross-border stakeholder engagement. Philippe also serves as a French Foreign Trade Advisor, advising French public authorities on international trade and promoting France’s economic interests abroad.

Founding Team

Wouter Hollander

Executive Director

Wouter has been engaged with Ukraine since 2022. After a career in management consulting, he relocated to Kyiv in 2024 to focus on humanitarian initiatives. In early 2025, he joined Tulip Tech as Director, while also running a Ukrainian NGO (Obris), and later that year he c0-founded the Dutch Defence Cluster.

Emiel de Sévrèn Jacquet

Chairman

Emiel is an experienced entrepreneur who has founded companies across multiple sectors. Currently serves as Honorary Consul of Ukraine to the Netherlands, Chairman of the Netherlands Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce, and an international advisor to the EBRD. Emiel maintains an extensive network across the public, corporate, and diplomatic sectors in both the Netherlands and Ukraine.

Ryan Mrha

Technology Advisor

Ryan is a former U.S. Army Infantryman with combat experience in Afghanistan and a background in enterprise software strategy. He advises the Dutch Defence Cluster on platform development, technical infrastructure, and operational enablement ensuring digital tools meet the real world needs of defence stakeholders.

Oleh Kyluk

Legal Advisor

Oleh is an experienced legal professional specializing in Ukrainian law, international business, and cross border compliance. He advises foreign, including Dutch, companies operating in Ukraine s defence sector. His deep understanding of the Ukrainian legal landscape and cross border compliance requirements makes him essential for navigating the complex regulatory environment.

Milena Ishchuck

Graphic Designer

Milena is a creative and strategic graphic designer. Through visual communication, she helps to translate complex defence initiatives into clear, human centered visual communication.

Polina Zelinska

Operations Coordinator

Polina brings a solid foundation in project management, with both BEng and MSc studies in the field, and experience as an Operations Coordinator at Bolt UK. With an academic background in aerospace and transportation, she supports the team with adaptable skills, attention to detail, and a commitment to ensuring projects run efficiently and effectively.

Let's work together

We accelerate collaboration between Dutch and Ukrainian defence organizations, supporting Ukraine's sovereignty and Europe's security through shared innovation and operational readiness.

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