Who we are
A network of experienced trainers, coaches and researchers who share one approach. Working worldwide since 2006, from boardrooms in Madrid to NGO teams in Uganda.
Founder Imre Végh started this work in 2006. What began as one trainer is now a network, and what began in Dutch classrooms now happens in Houston, Madrid, Strasbourg, Porto, Kampala and half a dozen time zones at once. Below is who we are, and how the founder thinks. Where we have worked is on the homepage.
Our partners
The Institute is carried by a network of experienced trainers, coaches and researchers who share a passion for compassionate leadership.
Imre Végh
Founder & lead trainer
Alies Zijlstra
Leadership coach, connector & inspirator
Barbara Piper
Senior leadership development & compassion trainer
Derek van Zoonen
Researcher (philosophy & psychology) & therapist
Judith van den Boogert
Expert conflict resolution, life coach & trainer
Marleen Korten
Organisational psychologist, trainer & coach
Simon Douw
Psychologist, philosopher & trainer
Tadeusz Maros
Management coach & trainer
About the founder, Imre Végh
Hi, I'm Imre. First and foremost a proud father of two and married to the love of my life. I find endless joy in the wonder of stars, the beauty of a chess game, botanical gardens, and music, from Marcus Miller to Jai Uttal.
Based in Utrecht, working worldwide
From Utrecht, the Netherlands, I provide training and coaching to organisations worldwide. In the Netherlands, I also run TrueVoice Academie, offering compassionate leadership training, open workshops, and team coaching since 2006.
Embracing opposites
I love to embrace opposites: chaos and beauty, anger and love, confrontation and connection. Because real growth isn't neat and orderly. It's challenging, uncomfortable, and absolutely worth it. So I can be sharp, direct and uncompromising, but also deeply understanding, empathetic and caring. Not a spiritual teacher, but a fellow traveler willing to sit with both the darkness and the light in all of us. Sharp enough to challenge, gentle enough to hold what we find there.
A better world
I'm concerned about the state of our planet and the future for my children: climate change, inequality, polarisation. Compassionate leadership is part of how we address that, and I want to be what Roman Krznaric calls a good ancestor. I hold what Joanna Macy calls active hope: facing a painful reality while still working for change, realistic and optimistic at once, without becoming naive or cynical.
The inner work
After twenty years of working with leaders across continents, I've learned that compassionate leadership isn't about spiritual facades or naive beliefs. It's about embracing the honest, raw and messy reality of being human, and discovering that this is where our greatest strength lies. We can only guide others as far as we have journeyed ourselves, so I keep facing my own monsters too.
"I am human because I belong. I participate. I share." Desmond Tutu
Want to work with us?
Tell us what is going on in your organisation. You will be talking to Imre, and we reply within one day. The first conversation is simply that: a conversation.
Get in Touch