drs. JJ (Jene) van der Heide

Jene van der Heide’s journey into the world of geo-data and digital innovation began in the 1990s at Radboud University in Nijmegen, where he studied Planning. It was there that he discovered his fascination with Geographic Information Systems (GIS), a passion that would shape his career.

His early work saw him developing an award-winning enterprise GIS for the municipality of Arnhem, a project that sparked his ambition to explore how geo-data could transform public safety and disaster management. This led him to establish his own consultancy, helping organizations harness spatial data for real-world impact.

Eager to make a broader impact, Jene joined the Dutch Cadastre, where he played a key role in shaping data-driven services and advising on strategic initiatives. At Geonovum, he championed national information models and helped introduce CityGML to the Netherlands, all while exploring emerging technologies like digital twins, autonomous vehicles, and blockchain.

Today, as programme lead at Wageningen University & Research (WUR), Jene continues to push boundaries in AI & Modelling and Climate Resilient Water & Land Use. In his role as lead of strategic investment programmes he's making WUR future proof. His career is a testament to the power of (responsible) digitalisation and AI in shaping the future of planet Earth.