My story

I’m Dutch & Fauxmerican and live, work, and sometimes write in London. I go to lots of gigs, annoy Uber drivers and deliverymen by asking them lots of questions, and make friends in Starbucks. I’m that person who will provide a running commentary when you’re just trying to watch the trailers, gets too confused by the British “thank you/no thank you” rules to implement them properly, and laughs out loud at podcasts on the tube. Will you send you a care package to cheer you up, even if you’re far away. Or a card. Which will be funny and appropriate. [No I do not have an Etsy problem.] I make people laugh, get free tequila from my take-out guy, and only own black socks own lots of funny socks now, because life is too short. I’m not afraid of being called bossy and I’ll lean whichever way I want – as long as I can keep moving forward with a smile on my face.

If something upsets me, interests me or just if I feel like it – I write about it.

I spent a lot of time researching international security, human rights and international development during grad school, (twice) which was all fine and dandy until some people started sneaking badly underwritten mortgages into overvalued bonds, (boo!) and life became a little more complicated. I took the position that crisis = opportunity, decided it was time for a change, and moved to one of the world’s most expensive cities without much of a plan / with little idea what people meant by “rent” in London. (I think I may still owe my old landlord a kidney.. or my first born?) Somehow I made it all work, and after some really cool twists and turns I have now uncovered a career path that solidly embraces my multi-faceted talents and interests: Product Management.

I think I want to be Nelson Mandela when I grow up. Or Madeleine Albright. But I’ll settle for Margaret Atwood, too.

I have to include these or they’ll kick me out of the millennial recovery program club house:
Email: carolinavandenberg[at]gmail[dot]com.
The twittersphere!
L’Instagram
And of course my LinkedIn page.