Marije Balt is youth expert and former diplomat, engaged in peacebuilding and conflict transformation since 1995. Her geographical expertise is Africa, from the Sahel to Somalia. Her main experience is as policy practitioner, having worked as a team leader at the Stabilisation and Peacebuilding Unit at the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Through her work as a diplomat in crisis areas, she discovered her drive: young people, against all odds, connecting globally to shape their futures together. She now dedicates her expertise to organisations wanting to contribute to positive change in Africa and beyond. Apart from her work for SpringFactor she shares her expertise on international organisations, security, development and human rights as a teacher at the Webster University, providing students with both theoretical and practical insights.