About me

Hi! I'm Nienke (Veenstra), also known as Nienke • Nina. Many of those I've worked with describe me as a true behavioral scientist. I have always been fascinated by the science behind the deepest layers of human behavior, especially the interplay between evolution and our modern existence.

Our brain was shaped during a completely different reality. It still operates according to principles that were once crucial for our survival, but that don't always (hardly) match what the world of today asks of us. Behavior doesn't arise on its own; it is, among other things, an interplay of our biology, environmental factors, and deeply rooted patterns.

I dive beneath the surface and combine psychological foundations and biological elements with behavioral science. Whether it concerns behavioral change at the individual level, strategic challenges within organizations, or deeper systemic change. I look at what is truly needed. Every change begins with a desire. But without the right insights and approach, it often remains just that. Real, lasting change requires depth, strategy, and action. How? That is where my work begins.

Where my work once began
Like many, my career began in the clinical sector. I have worked in both clinical and non-clinical settings within (neuro)developmental psychology, taught and conducted scientific research in academia, and as a behavioral science consultant I have advised various organizations on mental, social, and public health matters.

With ten years of experience in the behavioral and neurosciences, my path has been one of continuous development. Drawing on this broad and diverse experience, I have sharpened my focus to what I now offer: from science to strategies and insights that create genuine impact.

Want to know more about my background? Click here to view my LinkedIn.

Epigenetics
Halfway through my career, I moved to the other side of the world. When I returned to the Netherlands after two years, I reignited my career with fresh perspective: combining my scientific expertise with the personal insights I had gained along the way. That period made me realize how profoundly lifestyle and environment shape human health, a realization that would later lead me to a branch of the behavioral sciences called epigenetics.

The more I immersed myself in the science of genetic expression, the clearer one thing became: human potential starts at the foundation. Our body and brain function optimally when we align with the right environment, habits, and choices. This became the bridge between my personal journey and my professional expertise, and the foundation for the way I support individuals and organizations in achieving real, lasting change.


Academic background & Postacademic education
Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT) (2026)
Consumer Neuromarketing and Neuroscience (2023)
Neurodiagnostics (for children & adolescents) (2022)
DSM-5 and DSM-5-TR (2018)
Social Emotional Development (SEO-R2) (2017)
Chronically Traumatized Children (Sleeping Dogs) (2016)

MSc. Social & Behavioral Sciences - Neuroscience - Clinical Child & Adolescent Studies (Orthopedagogiek) (2016)
BSc. Social & Behavioral Sciences - Education & Child Studies (2014)
BSc. Social Studies (2013)