ABOUT BEYONDERS FOUNDATION
The Beyonders Foundation is a nonprofit organisation that aims to create a network of leaders who are capable of raising the consciousness within a system and catalyse actions that help to create a world where everyone and everything can flourish. For this we believe leaders need to develop personal mastery, understand or master the art of collaboration and dialogue as well as be able to co-create a future vision that serves the world.
ABOUT ME
WHAT MAKES A BEYONDER?
DIRK VAN ONSEM
Founder
Beyonders Foundation was founded by Dirk Van Onsem. Born in Belgium, Dirk has 20 years of experience in business and leadership at Nike. He developed a passion for coaching and leadership through sport since he has a Masters in Physical Education and started coaching football teams since a young age. He held multiple international leadership roles for Nike in EMEA with small and large teams and is today VP Performance Partners EMEA. He started the Beyonders Foundation with the goal to give back some of his experience and learnings in leadership and to make a small difference in the world.
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LIFELONG LEARNER
Since many years, Dirk has invested in his personal development. Below are experiences that have formed his leadership identity and principles.
E-CO COACHING LEADERSHIP
ACCREDITATION
August 2023 - Center for Excellence in Public Leadership - George Washington University - Washington DC, US
6 months ICF Accredited Coach Training Program to develop an integrated worldview of coaching in systems while practicing with real-world clients, in organisations that are deeply committed to the Sustainable Development Goals, and who care to make a positive difference in the world. https://leadershipcoaching.cepl.gwu.edu/
FACILITATION ACCREDITATION
March 2023 - Voltage Control - Austin, Texas, United States
12 week facilitation accreditation program. Obtained certification as Facilitator of change through diverging, emerging and converging facilitation methodologies and techniques (liberating structures, workshop design, game storming, sprint) https://voltagecontrol.com/facilitator-certification/
SACRED PASSAGE
February 2022 - John P. Milton, Way of Nature - Baja California Sur, Mexico
5 days of Awareness Training to prepare you for your 6-7 days of solitary AllOne time, and to help you reintegrate upon your return. The core of these teachings are based on the WoN Twelve Guiding Principles of Natural Liberation, which are essentialized spiritual teachings inspired by many Earth-connected lineages. www.wayofnature.com/sacred-passage
THE MIGHTY
HEART
November 2021 - Dr. Scilla Elworthy, The business plan for peace - Online
10 week course to become a more effective changemaker by transforming conflict and crises that may be internal, at family, organisational or even national and international level. www.thebusinessplanforpeace.org
INCLUSIVE AND AUTHENTIC LEADERSHIP
Mar-June 2021 - Northwestern Weinberg College of Arts & Sciences - Online
Four month course on tools and methods for enacting change in the promotion of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). Create actionable strategies and offer guidance to lead and manage DEI initiatives, as well as gain the awareness and sensitivity to remove structural and social barriers in your organisation as you develop teams and leadership in your workforce that reflect the diversity of consumers. www.weinberg.northwestern.edu
FOUNDATIONS FOR AWARENESS BASED SYSTEMS CHANGE
March 2020 - P. Senge & Academy for Systems Change - Online
Four day workshop about understanding the fundamental principles of systems change and how to lead change. Creating a personal vision, mental models, system thinking and system sensing as underpinnings for understanding complexity www.academyforchange.com
LEADING ACROSS BOUNDARIES
October 2019 - P. Senge & Academy for Systems Change - Ashland, Massachusetts, US
Four day workshop about leading across boundaries integrating the essentials of systems change. We had the privilege to be taught by and discuss with Peter Senge and Darcy Winslow from the Academy for Systems Change about personal mastery, growing as a systemic leader, creating the conditions for shared leadership and engaging stakeholders around complex problems. www.academyforchange.com
THE HOFFMAN
PROCESS
August 2019 - Hoffman Institute UK - Seaford, East Sussex, UK
Seven-day residential course to understand that you are today who you are as a result of your upbringing, paternal patterns and past experiences with the aim to become aware of limiting patterns and be able to change your behaviour and be your best self. www.hoffman.co.uk
THE SYSTEM VIEW OF LIFE
June 2019 - Capra Fritjof course - online
12 week online course to understand the nature of our systemic problems and to recognise the systemic solutions that are developed by individuals and organisations around the world. www.capracourse.com
NIKE
XCELERATE
Dec 2018 - Nike - Portland Oregon, US
6 months executive leadership development course for Sr. Directors of Nike to prepare for the next phase of their career. Prepare and present real-life business case solution for an existing challenge of the Nike Executive Team. Project: Future of Machine Learning.
ECOLOGY AND LEADERSHIP COURSE
June 2018 - Schumacher college - Dartington, Devon, UK
4-day retreat to synthesise learnings from ecology, nature, technology and humanity to discover systemic leadership shifts we need to make to serve a sustainable future.
PERSONAL MASTERY AND RESILIENCE
2012 - 2020 - Global Leaders Academy - London, UK
Active member of CEO circle. Multiple inquiries on personal mastery and building resilience in the ever more complex and challenging environment. Every inquiry is closed off by a retreat where we work on personal development and share learnings
INDEPENDENT EXECUTIVE MBA
2010 - Vlerick Management School & UVA - Leuven, BE & Amsterdam, NL
18 months Executive MBA including leadership development, finance, marketing, Intercultural management skills. Program in collaboration between Vlerick Business School and University of Amsterdam. Accredited by Equis, AACSB, Financial Times.
MY VALUES
Courage
We have courage to go beyond our inner critic and judgment of others. We take risks and believe that with the right intent and humbleness, we are here to learn our way to a better future. Therefor we believe there is no failure, but only feedback.
Integrity
We treat everyone and everything around us with respect and understand that all actions are taken with the best intentions. We are honest, open and transparent to everyone and everything we interact with.
Service
We are at service for what the world needs today and do not seek personal gain or fame. We often ask ourselves: What is needed now? What does this situation call for?
Curiosity
We are lifelong learners and understand that approaching every situation with a curiosity to understand what is happening and what is needed for the situation to move forward is crucial. We inquire constantly about ourselves, others and the world around us.