Publication date: 08/13/2025
Kim’s recent award as Flevoland’s Business Woman of 2025 is a testament to her dedication, leadership, and the thriving team culture she has nurtured at Marina Muiderzand. “It is nice to hear a professional jury acknowledge the years of your working life and how they see you as a manager,” Kim reflects.
While this recognition is personal, Kim is quick to credit the collective efforts of her team: “This can only happen when you have a professional team and teamwork.”
Kim’s career path and role evolution
A steady growth
Kim’s journey with Marina Muiderzand began in April 2001, initially as a part-time employee working just 16 hours a week. Over time, her responsibilities and hours grew, marking the start of a long-term commitment. “The hours grew in the following years,” Kim recalls.
In 2011, Kim moved to the nearby marina Jachthaven Naarden to take on the role of office manager. After a decade in that position, she was eager to lead her own marina. Although no immediate openings were available, she undertook coaching studies to prepare herself for future opportunities. When the manager position at Marina Muiderzand finally became available, Kim embraced the challenge wholeheartedly.
Stepping into leadership
Kim took over as marina manager in 2021, stepping into a role that presented new challenges. “Although it’s the same business, there were many things to learn again, like preparing budgets, which was completely new to me,” she admits. However, her dedication paid off as she grew more comfortable and confident in her new role.
After five years, Kim notes that the team has matured and become increasingly independent, allowing her to focus on broader projects beyond daily management. “The team has grown and became more and more independent and makes their decisions when needed. That helps me to evolve and be able to do some projects next to the management of Marina Muiderzand.” It is also a sign of trust on Kim’s part, who delegates many tasks to her team.
“Kim is a very well-balanced manager with focused business insights on the one hand and a people oriented approach on the other. This makes Kim a leader which sees the bigger strategical picture and the detailed operational needs of the moment. Working in tight collaboration with all around her, she is able to create a lot of support and commitment from her team. Kim has worked in many different roles within the industry, all enhancing her knowledge and practical skills. This strong foundation makes Kim very applicable for a variety of projects she has helped me with in the past years. With a keen eye for opportunities, Kim actively helps pushing the marina results specifically and Port Adhoc in general to new levels.”
Jorin Bijl, Managing Director of Port Adhoc Nederland
A strong, united team at the heart of Marina Muiderzand
Building loyalty through commitment and culture
At Marina Muiderzand, team loyalty and seniority are remarkable. Several team members have been with the marina for over ten years, and some for nearly two decades. Kim highlights the importance of maintaining a cohesive team culture: “Marina Muiderzand has a very close-knit team who know each other very well. Wouter, Sali, Susanne, and Danielle have nearly 20 years of service at Marina Muiderzand. Mark and Denise have been here for around ten years, Arnoud for five years, and Bas for three years. It is also this experience that makes the team so strong.”
She also points out that newer arrivals have been just as important in shaping the marina’s success: “Maewo and Guido joined us more recently, but they’ve integrated seamlessly and bring tremendous value to the marina.”
The strong bond within the team stems from shared values and commitment. “They all do what is needed for guests to feel welcome but also help out each other when needed. That might mean working extra because someone needs a day off or is ill,” Kim explains. Beyond professionalism, the team enjoys a friendly atmosphere and actively works together to enhance the marina’s environment. “We also have a lot of fun together and think about how we can make Muiderzand an even more beautiful marina.”
A day in the life at Marina Muiderzand
Team members at Muiderzand undertake a wide variety of tasks, often going beyond the typical duties expected in marina management. “We do almost everything ourselves,” Kim says, describing responsibilities such as crane operations, building maintenance, mowing grass, and cleaning. This hands-on approach not only keeps the marina in excellent condition but also fosters a sense of pride and ownership among the staff.
In addition to technical tasks, the team remains focused on delivering outstanding guest service, supporting berth holders and visitors with a warm welcome and attentive care.
Leadership philosophy and values
Coaching and collaboration
Kim leads through a coaching and democratic management style, prioritising trust, autonomy, and empowerment. She believes in empowering her team while fostering collaboration and trust. “I always make sure that everyone can do their job, even if that means I can’t do mine.” she explains. For Kim, the team is the most vital component of the marina’s success. She encourages open communication and values initiative, ensuring everyone feels respected and heard.
Work-life balance
Honesty, reliability, and respect for work-life balance are central to Kim’s leadership. She also champions a healthy work-life balance: “You need to be happy to come to work but also be happy to go home again.” These values translate into long-term motivation and a workplace culture built on trust and reliability.
Working within a growing European marina network
Streamlining operations and encouraging collaboration
Being part of a wider European marina group has brought valuable resources and support to Marina Muiderzand. Shared administrative systems have simplified daily workload, allowing Kim and her team to focus more on operational and guest-related tasks.
“It is nice to connect with other marina managers, discuss our work, and help each other out when needed,” Kim notes. This network encourages the sharing of best practices and innovation, ensuring Marina Muiderzand remains competitive and aligned with industry standards.
Taking customer experience to the next level
Being part of the Port Adhoc Group also brings investment opportunities and shared expertise, helping Muiderzand maintain its status as a premier Dutch marina.
“There are opportunities to keep our marinas updated and stay the premier marina we want to be.”
Port Adhoc Nederland now includes 8 marinas across the Netherlands, with teams exchanging daily to maintain high standards and deliver a consistent, premium experience for berth holders.
Exciting projects ahead at Marina Muiderzand
Taking customer experience to the next level
Kim is enthusiastic about several significant projects underway, particularly the replacement of the parking area’s tarmac. This large-scale upgrade will include new electricity cabinets and improved water drainage, creating a safer and more efficient winter storage area for boats, as well as a perfect parking space for boaters. “This is a very big project which will give us a safe area again for the winter storage,” she shares.
Improving customer access
Beyond infrastructure, the team has also improved customer access by constructing a new path behind the work area, connecting the marina to the nearby beach, supermarket, and restaurants. “We built it ourselves, using old wooden pontoons to separate the work area from the path,” Kim explains. This project reflects the team’s dedication to enhancing the guest experience while maintaining practical functionality.
About Marina Muiderzand
Located on the IJmeer, just outside Amsterdam, Marina Muiderzand is one of the Netherlands’ most complete marinas. It features:
- 835 premium berths with catways
- A catamaran beach
- High-end facilities, restaurants, and service providers
- Dry winter storage
- Lifting capacity up to 50 tonnes
A true hub for water sports lovers, the marina offers the perfect mix of nature, comfort, and accessibility, made all the better by a passionate and experienced team.
