Moderator & presenter

Esther van Rijswijk

Esther van Rijswijk is an economist and moderator who makes complex issues surrounding economics, policy, and society clear and accessible. With her experience at government ministries and RTL Z, she leads discussions that are sharp, structured, and interactive. She effortlessly switches between content and dynamics, ensuring that every event leads to concrete insights and genuine dialogue.

Rate indication: € 2,500 to € 3,499
Available for booking as: Day chairman Interviewer Debate leader ConversationLeader Presenter Panelist
Languages: Dutch English

Request a free quote

030-3040025

About Esther van Rijswijk

Esther van Rijswijk has had a versatile career that has taken her from The Hague via Hilversum to the stage. Trained as an economist, she has developed into a versatile professional with experience in policymaking, journalism, and as a moderator and discussion leader. In addition, Esther provides media and presentation training, helping people find the underlying message in their story and communicate it convincingly.

Esther as a Moderator

Esther van Rijswijk was trained as an economist, learned to think like a policymaker, and became a journalist to investigate. Today, she works as a moderator and discussion leader, and as a trainer-coach, she guides speakers and people who engage with the press. Her different roles complement and strengthen one another. As a journalist, she creates her own analyses. As a discussion leader, she gives others the opportunity to tell their stories. As a trainer, she helps people find and shape their story.

Presenter

Esther began her career in The Hague as a policy economist at the Ministries of Finance and Economic Affairs. After five years, she made the transition to journalism and worked for, among others, Elsevier, RTL Nieuws, and Nieuwsuur. She was a correspondent in London and presented at RTL Z. Through journalism, Esther joined De Argumentenfabriek, where she reduced complex policy issues to their essence. She led expert sessions and also began moderating discussions as a moderator.

Also Without a Stage

Esther also works as a facilitator, working with groups that need to collaborate. In these sessions, it is not about a traditional meeting from a stage, but about a day or half-day centred around the participants. They engage in dialogue, create together, or inspire one another. All at once, with groups ranging from eight to 80 people or more. Using carefully developed and proven discussion and working methods, participants experience these sessions as engaging meetings where something meaningful really happens.

These can be expert sessions, stakeholder meetings, or groups coming together again to rebuild trust. Depending on the objectives, each session is tailored to the needs of the group, with everyone actively involved from beginning to end.

Themes

Sessions

Meetings with groups where everyone is involved from beginning to end. Yes, it really is possible. No stage, no audience, but everyone takes part. Not broadcasting and listening, but actively participating. Depending on the objectives, participants get to know each other better, advise one another, or develop solutions together. Van Rijswijk determines the pace, the questions, and the format; the participants bring their energy, knowledge, and creativity.

Sometimes the output remains between participants one-on-one or in a small group, while at other times, the group becomes a team that works together as one. For people who have never experienced this approach, it can be difficult to imagine. Van Rijswijk is happy to explain how it works. The discussion formats are based on Liberating Structures and Deep Democracy. And no, this never becomes childish or frivolous; it is always tailored to the purpose and objectives of the meeting.

Using well-developed and proven discussion and working methods, participants experience these sessions as engaging meetings where something meaningful really happens. These can be expert sessions, stakeholder meetings, or groups coming together again to rebuild trust. Depending on the objectives, each meeting is tailored to the needs of the group, with everyone actively involved from beginning to end.

Esther can be brought in for an existing program, but she can also advise from the very beginning. This can be particularly valuable for organizations with limited experience in organizing events. Van Rijswijk then helps consider the target audience and objectives and how these can be reflected at every stage of the program. She also advises on pace and variety, the use of different discussion formats (when was the last time you saw a really good panel discussion?), and how to engage the audience.

If necessary, Esther can draw on her experience as a media and communications trainer when preparing guests. With her extensive stage experience, she knows exactly what needs to happen at every moment and ensures that everyone feels comfortable.

With her experience as a TV presenter at RTL Z, Van Rijswijk is a strong presenter who comes across very well on camera. Thanks to her journalistic background, she is highly suited to hosting online talk shows and webinars.