Heleen Vink
Intergenerational Conversations: Heleen Vink
Activism has its challenges, but luckily for us there are plenty of people who are doing the work. That’s why we’re hosting a series of intergenerational conversations with changemakers, all of whom also volunteer their time to mentor our Resilience Project Co-Hosts. This week we have Heleen Vink. Heleen is CEO Coordinator supporting the CEO of Ingka Group | IKEA, Jesper Brodin. In 2024, she became an official IKEA Foundation Ambassador. Heleen has a particular passion for Climate Action and Equality topics, is married and has two young children.
Activism can take many forms. How do you see the work that you do making a change?
A decade ago, I decided that I would only grant my particular skill set (coordination and strategic planning mixed with a deep passion for strategic stakeholder engagement) to those I felt were truly committed to lead on climate action. This commitment lead me to supporting Jesper Brodin, CEO Ingka Group | IKEA, who is committed to climate action across the IKEA ecosystem and beyond. He is a value-based, purpose-driven and very action-oriented leader, and I believe my activism has the most impact through him.
Practically this results mostly in Climate Advocacy through different channels where he is able to inspire and influence a broad dimension of different stakeholders (other businesses, policymakers, etc). But it also focuses on sharing actions, for example through our work under the umbrella of Action Speaks: Action Speaks: Join the Movement for Collective Climate Action
As part of his support team, I support him with driving the areas he is pushing for, and make sure he delivers on what he commits to and what is expected of him across his external engagements. I also work with my colleagues to make sure his year cycle is strategically planned, aligned with his priorities and goals. This includes making sure we strike the right balance and also maintain him on a drum beat that allows him to have work-life balance and take care of his mental health.
Also, I have decided to apply myself in a certain way - to be an activist in my own way, without comparing my activism with that of another. For me, this also means honoring my personal boundaries. The impact and durability of my activism depends on my well-being. If I do not sustain myself, if I am not feeling my best, my activism and impact will not be as strong as it could be.
Sustaining activism and change-making work can be difficult in many ways. Please share any uncertainty you may have faced that threatened continuing your work in climate and wellbeing and how you maneuvered that uncertainty.
Something that might resonate with others is the ever concern if my actions will actually matter. If they will truly make a difference.
I believe though that we underestimate the power of simply making the decision to believe, to have hope, courage and optimism. I believe we are the masters of our own mind and mindset and that mindset is a choice.
What does no one talk about around change-making?
That it can be harmful if activism targets organizations or people that are actually trying to make a change (but perhaps not doing enough in the eye of some). I have seen companies in leading positions pulling back - becoming silent, less engaged - because of public scrutiny.