Speaker

Joyce de Ruiter

“You will not be of value to society.” These were the words Joyce de Ruiter heard at the age of seventeen from an ophthalmologist. From that moment on, she focused on what was possible and how to make the most of it. Joyce de Ruiter lives with Usher syndrome, which causes her to gradually lose both hearing and sight. In her inspiring sessions, she shares her experiences and successes. She is an expert in creativity & inspiration, change management and personal development.

Rate indication: Price on request
Available for booking as: Speaker
Languages: Dutch English

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About Joyce de Ruiter

Slowly, Joyce is losing the two senses she relies on to communicate and function independently. She lives in a continuous process of change, constantly facing the question: how do I deal with this? Despite everything, Joyce sees the world in a positive light, because as she says herself: “I don’t need to be able to see to have a vision, and I don’t need to be able to hear to be heard.” We all encounter change in our lives, and it calls on our personal adaptability. Do you choose to be guided by fear and hold on to what is familiar? Or do you see moments of change as an opportunity to learn and grow? In short: how adaptable are you?

Unique talents

Joyce does not only see the syndrome as a limitation, as it has also given her unique talents. She applies these talents in her work. She has worked in sales, HR, event organization and in incentive and change management. Today, Joyce is a speaker and inspirer through her own company. She brings together her knowledge, vision and life story in tailored keynotes and inspiration sessions. And to come back to that Visual Marketing degree, she graduated with flying colours!

Joyce as a speaker

Joyce is an expert in adaptability and resilience in times of change. As a speaker, she shares her inspiring life story, combined with insights from the psychology of change, to motivate her audience, from professionals to managers and entrepreneurs, to see change as an opportunity rather than a threat. Her keynotes, both live and online, are surprising, include a touch of humor and can be complemented with interactive exercises or musical interludes. Joyce prepares thoroughly for each audience, ensuring that their specific change processes are central to her story.

Usher syndrome

Joyce lives with Usher syndrome, a condition that gradually causes her to lose both hearing and sight. Joyce wanted to study Visual Marketing. According to the doctor, she could forget about that degree: “The name alone.” At that moment, Joyce had two choices: to take on the role of a victim or to focus on everything that was still possible and make the most of it. And that turned out, and continues to be, far more than you could ever imagine.

Themes

Sessions

We all encounter change, both in our professional and personal lives.

This coronavirus crisis, for example, is causing major changes in our lives and places a significant demand on our personal adaptability.

How do you deal with change? Do you choose to be guided by fear and hold on to what is familiar? Or do you see moments of change as an opportunity to learn and grow? In short: how adaptable are you? In this specially developed online seminar “The growth opportunities of change,” the audience is given direction and practical tools to develop an agile mindset. They experience that every change can be the catalyst or foundation for opportunities and success. For themselves and for your evolving organization. Guaranteed that both they and you will step back through your (digital) door feeling inspired!

Joyce de Ruiter can be booked for inspiration sessions in which her keynote is complemented with an experience.

Together you go further. Joyce challenges her audience to step into the shoes of people with Usher syndrome. She addresses themes such as leadership, asking for help, collaboration, control, communication and understanding what the other person needs from a completely different perspective.

An inspiration session lasts half a day and consists of a keynote, a workshop element and an experience. Joyce can also take on the role of host for the day. She is happy to think along about the concept and the overall design of your event or gathering.

Joyce de Ruiter delivers leadership sessions in which you work with an interactive video assignment. The result: a tangible starting point for your vision on your leadership role and a reminder for its realization.

A leadership session lasts half a day and consists of a keynote, complemented with a workshop element and an interactive video assignment. This session is suitable for smaller groups (approximately 30 people or fewer).

Joyce de Ruiter can also host the day. As a concept thinker, she is happy to contribute ideas for the overall design of your event or gathering.

Do you see change as an opportunity? And are you able to be the director of your own life? During her keynote, Joyce shares her personal story of living with Usher syndrome, which gradually affects her hearing and vision. She explains how she deals with this continuously changing process and how she keeps seeing opportunities time and again. Her personal challenge is to turn a threat into something positive, an opportunity. Joyce shares three principles she applies that allow her to always stay in control of her life and handle any change. These principles are universal and applicable to everyone, both in professional and personal contexts.

Joyce de Ruiter provides her audience with direction and practical tools to discover their unique talents. They experience that every change can be a foundation for future opportunities and success. Joyce is guaranteed to inspire everyone attending her keynote.

A workshop element can be incorporated into Joyce de Ruiter’s keynote, regardless of the audience size. The valuable insights she shares can be directly and easily applied in practice, both in personal and professional life. During her keynote, Joyce creates space for questions from the audience, allowing them to reflect on their own situation. In addition, she explains, based on various sales theories, the impact of these insights on leadership style, collaboration and likability.

Because Joyce prepares thoroughly for each audience, they always remain central to her keynote. Joyce de Ruiter’s keynotes are available in Dutch or English and last 30–45 minutes or 75–90 minutes (with an extended workshop element).