The Handshake with Mette Gonggrijp

Join us for a special edition of The Handshake, our interactive event series connecting aspiring changemakers with experienced professionals in the peace & justice and “for good” sectors. This edition is presented in partnership with the Move 4 Human Rights Summer Edition. A limited number of seats have been opened up for the public—register soon to secure your spot!

We are thrilled to welcome Mette Gonggrijp, former Dutch Ambassador, leadership coach, and founder of IMind2Lead, to share her personal and professional journey.

Whether you’re a student, a young professional, or considering a career shift, this is your opportunity to:

• Hear Mette’s inspiring story of diplomacy, resilience, and reinvention
• Explore careers in international relations, leadership, mental health, and social entrepreneurship
• Ask your burning questions in an open Q&A
• Connect with like-minded peers and professionals

“My journey has taught me that as leaders we can achieve more meaningful impact in the world by staying whole, open and healthy” – Mette Gonggrijp

Introducing Mette

Mette Gonggrijp has been a Dutch diplomat and ambassador for over two decades. She served at the Dutch Embassies in Zimbabwe and Costa Rica (including Honduras, El Salvador, Guatemala and Nicaragua). She has been posted at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in The Hague as Director Sub-Sahara Africa and Ambassador Women’s Rights and Gender Equality.

Her grandfathers’ resistance activities during WOII and his subsequent experiences as Prisoner of War have motivated Mette throughout her educational and professional career. She chose to focus her Master European Public Administration on international relations and international law. Internships at the Stockholm Peace Research Institute, Asser Institute for International Law and the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) led her to apply for the diplomatic training course in 1998.

Her commitment to human rights and human dignity for all inspired her to consistently seek positions at Dutch MFA in the field of governance, human rights, social justice and international cooperation. When Mette resigned from MFA in 2022, she had been working zealously in leadership positions for over 10 years. Known for being a ‘modern leader’ within the diplomatic service, her leadership style had been characterised by a drive to foster thriving teams that realise true differences for others in the world.

Mette’s resignation from MFA followed the manifestation of unacknowledged complex (intergenerational) trauma. Drawing from her personal healing journey and her diplomatic career, she founded the social enterprise IMind2Lead in 2022. Her recent education in coaching, trauma, mental health and well-being at Standford and NICABM have deepened her understanding and commitment. Mette’s belief is that the current uncertain, polarised and complex world needs a different kind of leadership. Leadership that is being practised from a healthy, open and conscious mind/body/heart congruence. With IMind2Lead through coaching and community she has been passionately guiding ngo, public, diplomatic and corporate mission-driven leaders towards ‘whole leadership’ for change.

What is The Handshake?

A career inspiration series spotlighting leading voices in peace the justice ecosystem. Through honest conversations and personal stories, The Handshake offers an inside look at real career journeys, beyond titles and job descriptions.

Participants can engage directly, asking their pressing questions about career journeys, field developments, and the key skills needed for future professionals. For those who find the peace and justice sector daunting or do not know where to begin, these conversations provide practical insights and help set realistic expectations for entering the field.

Read about previous editions of The Handshake here