About me

I have been designing and facilitating participatory processes for over twenty years.

My word, two decades! In 2004, I got involved with my first collaborative assignment. I was hopeful, excited, and not especially aware that what I was doing was even a ‘thing’.

Fast forward to today and my hope and excitement remain as strong as ever. The biggest change has been that I’m now much clearer on what I do. 

What you might not know about me:

  • When I was a policy advisor at the Dutch ministry, I also taught toddler yoga in my free time. This was a creative outlet for me. What I have learnt from that experience is how to translate abstract and intangible things into movements which create a connection between parent and child. Also, how to hold attention in a group and meet people where they are. 
  • Why the company name: Bureau Tw!st? ‘Bureau’ is a playful nod to my past—a wink to those who claimed civil servants only sat behind desks (bureau means ‘desk’ in French). And ‘Tw!st’ speaks to the complexity of life—one word holding multiple meanings, depending on the context. The exclamation mark? That’s my promise to shake things up, bringing the margins to the center so the ones in power can hear these voices. 
  • I am the only child of my Taiwanese parents. We came to the Netherlands when I was 11 years old and they went back when I was 17 years old. What I have taken from this experience is how to work with the situation as it is and start from there. I have often been the #OddOneOut in the room which allowed me to observe the system from other angles.

My work is informed by Deep Democracy (Process Oriented Psychology & the Lewis Method), Art of Hosting, LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY®, Diamond Index of Power Intelligence and – most importantly – who you are and what you need. Below you will find a more ‘resume’- like listing of my credentials. 

Learning

  • Certification in all four levels of The Lewis Method (Deep Democracy)
  • Certified coach in Diamond Power Index/Diamond Power Intelligence
  • Certified facilitator in Lego Serious Play Method
  • Shame, Pride and Vulnerability in Organizational Life (Emana Formacion)
  • Deep Diversity (Anima Leadership, July 2020)
  • The Spirit of the Land and the Force of Dreaming – Co-creating Alternatives ~ 7 Day Worldwork and Facilitation Intensive in Vilnius, Lithuania (Oct 2025)
  • Birthing our Future: Our Nature, Our Ancestors, Our Youth ~ 7 Day Large Group Intensive in Nairobi, Kenya (Oct 2023)
  • OneFlatRoundWorld – 7 Day Deep Democracy Intensive in Amsterdam, NL (Oct 2022)
  • (Re-)Searching Happiness – A Leadership, Facilitation + Coaching Intensive in Paris , France (Oct 2021)
  • Winter Intensive Process Work Institute (online version, 2021 & 2022)
  • THE WORLD INSIDE OUT: 9 day Process Work and Worldwork Intensive in London, UK (Processwork UK, Feb 2020)
  • Discovering our evolution – 10 day Deep Democracy intensive – Cairo, Egypt (Oct 2018)
  • Ynnovate: creative techniques to facilitate innovation processes within the government
  • Train the Trainer (DLG Academy)
    Political-administrative sensitivity (DGAGRO)
  • Diplomate in Process Oriented Psychology
  • Master degree in Public Administration (MSc, Erasmus University Rotterdam)

Here’s what some kind souls had to say after working with me....

"Sara's presence was relaxed and caring Sara created a safe place for everyone to share openly different experiences which we all learned from - so much so that I have made lifelong friends from all over (the world!) who I continue to remain in contact with, grow with and learn from.”
"Sara offered her generosity, time, diligence, knowledge, compassion, and support to help support us in launching our online race embodied series. We felt her hand holding us in each session. She added a strong foundation of compassion and care to ensure that the safe space we established was sustained."
"As in life, there is an ebb and flow. Sara is knowledgeable, reliable, and an excellent communicator. She could troubleshoot easily and help guide us to a smooth path to go forward. From amazing metaphors that were often related to tangible things, Sara could help to create solutions effortlessly.”