Full Name
Tineke van der Veen
Function
CEO
Organisation
NLR
Speaker Bio
With a passion for technology and years of international experience in aerospace, Tineke van der Veen has been leading the Royal Netherlands Aerospace Centre (NLR) as CEO since June 1, 2025.
Her fascination with technology began as a child, watching planes take off and land at Schiphol Airport. This love of airplanes and technology has stayed with her ever since. By studying Aerospace Engineering at TU Delft, she not only expanded her knowledge but also broadened her worldview. After graduating with a degree in aerospace engineering, Tineke had a flying start at Rolls Royce in the United Kingdom. After returning to the Netherlands, she gained experience at Heineken, Airbus, Fokker/GKN Aerospace, and Boeing, where she was the sole female engineer on the European leadership team. Through her firm, Blue DragonFly Consultancy, Tineke continued to focus on the sector as an independent consultant, specialising in strategy, innovation, and societal impact.
Since June 2025, she has been serving as CEO, working alongside the CTO and CFO, to strengthen NLR’s position as a knowledge partner for government and industry, focusing on safety, sustainability, and technological innovation.
Tineke at NLR
At NLR, Tineke is fully committed to driving the changes and innovations needed to keep The Netherlands safe and to make aviation more sustainable. Tineke has all the qualities that set a modern leader apart: technical insight, a vision for society, and an open-minded approach to tackling complex challenges. Under her leadership as CEO, NLR is focused on developing innovative solutions for the future of aerospace, including new (autonomous) space technologies, addressing the challenges of digitalisation and cybersecurity, and fostering innovation and entrepreneurship, especially among small and medium-sized enterprises.
Themes Close to Tineke’s Heart
Young Talent
"Innovation flourishes in curious minds, not in certainty." This belief fuels not only her daily work but also her involvement with the next generation, including her three (step)children, aged 16, 14, and 7. As a mentor, speaker, and role model in various STEM programmes, Tineke actively opens doors for young engineers, dreamers, and doers—not just to pass on knowledge but also to provide space for new ideas to emerge.
Inclusion & Diversity
Inclusion and diversity remain mere buzzwords if they're not visibly embedded in an organisation's culture. It's about embracing your true self and creating space for diverse experiences and perspectives in all their forms. At NLR, we're actively working to make this a reality. Drawing on her own experiences as a woman in a traditionally male-dominated field and facing health challenges, Tineke understands the importance of fostering an inclusive environment where everyone feels valued and at home.
People & Technology
Besides her technological and strategic expertise, Tineke has a keen eye for the human side of innovation. She believes that progress only truly holds value when people and technology go hand in hand. As an ambitious and driven individual, Tineke enjoys combining strategy, vision, and technology with people management to develop both the company and its people. Her efforts in this area have been recognised with several awards,, including being named one of the "Top 50 Most Inspiring Women in Tech in NL" (Inspiring 50), the MT Next 50 Leadership Award, and the Martin Schröder Entrepreneurship Award.
About NLR
The Royal Netherlands Aerospace Centre (NLR) is the national centre for independent research in aerospace. With over 1,000 employees and in collaboration with industry, governments, and research institutions, NLR contributes daily to the development of safer, more efficient, and more sustainable aerospace solutions.
Her fascination with technology began as a child, watching planes take off and land at Schiphol Airport. This love of airplanes and technology has stayed with her ever since. By studying Aerospace Engineering at TU Delft, she not only expanded her knowledge but also broadened her worldview. After graduating with a degree in aerospace engineering, Tineke had a flying start at Rolls Royce in the United Kingdom. After returning to the Netherlands, she gained experience at Heineken, Airbus, Fokker/GKN Aerospace, and Boeing, where she was the sole female engineer on the European leadership team. Through her firm, Blue DragonFly Consultancy, Tineke continued to focus on the sector as an independent consultant, specialising in strategy, innovation, and societal impact.
Since June 2025, she has been serving as CEO, working alongside the CTO and CFO, to strengthen NLR’s position as a knowledge partner for government and industry, focusing on safety, sustainability, and technological innovation.
Tineke at NLR
At NLR, Tineke is fully committed to driving the changes and innovations needed to keep The Netherlands safe and to make aviation more sustainable. Tineke has all the qualities that set a modern leader apart: technical insight, a vision for society, and an open-minded approach to tackling complex challenges. Under her leadership as CEO, NLR is focused on developing innovative solutions for the future of aerospace, including new (autonomous) space technologies, addressing the challenges of digitalisation and cybersecurity, and fostering innovation and entrepreneurship, especially among small and medium-sized enterprises.
Themes Close to Tineke’s Heart
Young Talent
"Innovation flourishes in curious minds, not in certainty." This belief fuels not only her daily work but also her involvement with the next generation, including her three (step)children, aged 16, 14, and 7. As a mentor, speaker, and role model in various STEM programmes, Tineke actively opens doors for young engineers, dreamers, and doers—not just to pass on knowledge but also to provide space for new ideas to emerge.
Inclusion & Diversity
Inclusion and diversity remain mere buzzwords if they're not visibly embedded in an organisation's culture. It's about embracing your true self and creating space for diverse experiences and perspectives in all their forms. At NLR, we're actively working to make this a reality. Drawing on her own experiences as a woman in a traditionally male-dominated field and facing health challenges, Tineke understands the importance of fostering an inclusive environment where everyone feels valued and at home.
People & Technology
Besides her technological and strategic expertise, Tineke has a keen eye for the human side of innovation. She believes that progress only truly holds value when people and technology go hand in hand. As an ambitious and driven individual, Tineke enjoys combining strategy, vision, and technology with people management to develop both the company and its people. Her efforts in this area have been recognised with several awards,, including being named one of the "Top 50 Most Inspiring Women in Tech in NL" (Inspiring 50), the MT Next 50 Leadership Award, and the Martin Schröder Entrepreneurship Award.
About NLR
The Royal Netherlands Aerospace Centre (NLR) is the national centre for independent research in aerospace. With over 1,000 employees and in collaboration with industry, governments, and research institutions, NLR contributes daily to the development of safer, more efficient, and more sustainable aerospace solutions.
Speaking At
