With a background in Psychology and Human Resource Management, Merel has always been fascinated by people and what makes them tick. Recruitment brought together what drives her most: people, strategy, commercial thinking, and pace.
As Partner and Director at Panda, Merel focuses on strategy, growth, and building high performing teams and client partnerships. She enjoys ambitious targets, complex challenges, and turning opportunities into long-term commercial value. Merel drives Panda’s strategic client partnerships, moving relationships beyond recruitment delivery towards long-term commercial partnerships. Her approach has contributed to Panda’s Strategic Partner EMEA status with Randstad and top supplier positions across several major clients.
Leadership is a big part of what motivates her. Merel believes in setting a clear direction, creating ownership, and giving people the confidence to push themselves further. Her style is strategic but hands-on, with a strong focus on turning ideas into action and results.
Outside Panda, Merel balances HIIT classes with scouting the best restaurants, wine bars and hidden hotspots in Amsterdam and wherever she travels. With a Sommelier Grade 3 certification, she’s usually in charge of the wine list.