This event focused on the unequal distribution of heat across Amsterdam. Lower-income neighbourhoods often have less greenery and fewer opportunities for cooling, while air conditioning elsewhere can further intensify the problem. What role do the municipality, housing associations and residents play, and how can they work together to make a difference both this summer and in the longer term?
Linda Vermaat
Linda Vermaat is an expert in innovation, sustainability and societal transition. She moderates discussions on themes including energy, water, construction, agriculture, nature, fashion and entrepreneurship. Linda is curious, energetic and highly experienced in increasing social impact. She is best known for her work at Innofest, where, as Managing Director, she supported more than 300 start-ups in testing their innovations in real-life environments. She also founded initiatives including the Slow Food Youth Network and Professional Rebel. On stage, her enthusiasm is infectious, her humour is subtle and her preparation is thorough.
- Rate indication: Price on request
- Available for booking as: Day chairman Interviewer Debate leader ConversationLeader Presenter Panelist
- Languages: Dutch English
About Linda Vermaat
Linda Vermaat has built her career around one central belief: social change begins with people who are willing to take action. She is curious, energetic and highly experienced in increasing social impact. Linda lives in Amsterdam at De Warren, a resident-led housing cooperative on IJburg that she helped establish herself, making it a clear example of how she puts her own principles into practice.
Her ambition to create impact is reflected in an impressive range of initiatives. She co-founded the Slow Food Youth Network, Professional Rebel and TwentieFour, and spent five years as Managing Director of Innofest. In this role, she transformed a small European project into a financially stable foundation operating across the Netherlands. She worked with more than 300 start-ups that tested their innovations at festivals and in living labs, ranging from circular construction materials to intelligent water solutions. The common thread throughout her work is clear: change only succeeds when it is not merely technologically smart, but also socially inclusive and widely supported.
Since 2025, Linda has been exploring a new challenge: a future in politics and public administration.
Linda as a Moderator
With twenty years of experience as a moderator, Linda knows exactly how to engage and energise an audience. Her style combines intellectual sharpness with genuine warmth. She asks the question everyone was thinking but did not dare to voice, while ensuring that speakers and participants feel comfortable contributing openly.
Her enthusiasm on stage is infectious, her humour is subtle and her preparation is thorough. Linda particularly enjoys moderating events where content and societal impact take centre stage, covering themes such as sustainability in construction, water, agriculture, energy and fashion, as well as innovation, entrepreneurship and transition.
She has extensive experience with mixed audiences of policymakers, entrepreneurs and academics, and knows how to frame complex issues clearly without oversimplifying them. Previous clients include the Dutch Ministry of Justice and Security, the Province of South Holland, Pakhuis de Zwijger, ABN AMRO and the Municipality of Rotterdam. Internationally, she has moderated events including the European New Power Summit, ADE Green and MIXT.
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