6° Family

Founders

Spearheading the strategy, operations, fundraising and management of 6°.

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DEBBIE MIDDENDORP | Founder & Operations

Debbie was born in the Netherlands, but has always been fascinated by people from different countries and cultural backgrounds. Coming from a challenging childhood she learned to find her own path and these experiences empowered her to support others in finding their way in life.

She has a long history in the corporate world as a high powered Marketing, Branding and Communications executive and as an independent entrepreneur. She wants to use these skills together with her international working experience to set up a sustainable network that empowers, inspires and energises women to drive change.

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GITA PELINCK | Founder & operations

Gita was born in Nepal and adopted when she was 3 and a half years old, by loving Dutch parents. She experienced first hand the not for profit world through her family's lifelong involvement in helping developing countries. 'Having been given a chance to make something of herself', as she says, her lifelong passion and mission has always been to give back.

With a background in International management, Supply Chain and Project Management, Gita is driven to use her experience and expertise gained in the corporate world to achieve social impact by helping women gain financial independence through providing opportunties to learn new skills.

Our Team

Making 6° possible, our team contribute ideas and support the founders in all aspects ranging from project proposals, marketing, digital presence, finance, latest trends and strategy. Without them, 6° would not have taken off with such success!

AMRIT THAPa | BOARD MEMBER

Amrit Thapa was born in a small village in Gorkha, Nepal. When he was 9 years old his parents left their village for Kathmandu so that he and his siblings could receive a better education. When living in Kathmandu and working in tourism, he met his Dutch wife. They married in 2012 and lived in Kathmandu with their two sons until 2017 after which he moved to The Netherlands.

Over the past 15 years, Amrit has been involved in the tourism business, organising logistics for travelers, facilitating rescue missions, and setting up and managing a ground handling agency for charter flights. He still has a business in Nepal, focused on social enterprises where he supports and facilitates local artisans and craftsmen in selling their products.

As a Nepali, he has a very strong connection to his country and its people. He is passionate about helping the underprivileged in Nepal in any way possible. He considers himself lucky to have the opportunity to support 6° in their mission and use his background in tourism, his strong connections to Nepal to help empower marginalised women and facilitate income-generating initiatives.

Margreet Rijken-Snellaars | BOARD MEMBER

Margreet Rijken-Snellaars lives in Maarssen with her husband, three children and 4 chickens.
After working 20 years as a manager/director in banking and IT, she started her own company Mrs. Possible in 2019. She supports owners, in The Netherlands and The Netherlands Antilles, in organising their organisations so they can achieve their ambitions whilst enjoying being an entrepreneur.

Margreet strongly believes in empowering through networking. Together with one of her best friends she initiated the Vrouwenborrel Maarssen, to connect women with young children and provide the possibility to get to know other women in this extremely busy period in their lives.

She’s proud to be part of the board of 6°, providing her knowledge and network for the empowerment of women.

Orapan (tuk) | STRATEGY & digital

Tuk is a Thai national, and not unlike other Thai women, has a strong character and believes in the power and voice of women.

She met and connected with Debbie and Melisse deeply during her time in Singapore through their post graduate studies at the Singapore Management University. The three share the same belief in empowering women by providing opportunities that lead to the ability to choose one's own life path.

Tuk is supporting 6° in strategy and digital presence.

Laetitia Gruwel ǀ Communications

On her many travels to mainly Asian countries, Laetitia feels at home, like a nomad, although her love for Nepal is very special. The Himalayas, the culture and the diversity of Nepal are close to her heart.

In her daily life as an independent communications consultant, she feels comfortable and at her best. After 30 years of being an employee, she started her own business in 2017 and that has been 'the best decision of my life', says Laetitia.

'I had the choice to start for myself. It is so important to be able to make your own choices and thereby become successful and happy? That is why I support 6 Degrees Network for Women. “To give women a chance to become independent, so that they can ultimately make their own choices and become happier individuals.”

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Arjen Nauta | Fundraising

Arjen was born and raised in the Netherlands. He is married to Debbie and father of two beautiful boys.

He has a background in Business Administration and Education. With a long track record in business development and general management for international brands, he is always looking to open new doors and find new opportunities.

During his time living in South East Asia, Arjen saw with his own eyes the difference in people’s development opportunities and strongly believes that small initiatives to help people learn a vocational skill will make a sustainable difference in people’s lives.

‘With pride and honour, I support 6° Network for Women in their mission’

Daniël van Dijk | Communications

Daniël van Dijk is a Dutch national and proud husband of 6° founder Gita Pelinck.

Together they have two sons and shared passions for travel, nature, food and Nepal.

With a career in marketing and business development spanning the globe and various sectors, Daniël brings international business acumen as well as creative thinking and writing.

Daniël works for the water sector in the Netherlands as International Programme Manager and is involved in water cooperation programmes in various Asian countries.

Our Supporters

Those who have helped us along the way since 6° inception in 2017. They contributed their time, experience, knowledge and enthusiasm without asking for anything in return and continue to believe in our cause.

MELANIE SHUDOFSKY

Our Junior Supporters

As ambassadors of the future generation, our young Centennials help us spread the word to their friends and help raise funds through the charity activities at their schools and supporting us during our events.

TIES and KAI NAUTA

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Ties (born 2008) spent his early childhood in Singapore, where he learned about the caring and sharing principle. This has become part of his DNA. At the age of five his life was enriched with the adoption of his Singaporean-Malay brother Kai (born 2013), whom he loves deeply.

Ties is very open and always willing to help others. During his trips with his mother, Debbie, to rural areas in both India and Nepal he was deeply touched by the circumstances of other children and expressed his desire to make women’s and children’s lives better.

Kai was born in Singapore and raised in The Netherlands. He has a strong character and a disarming personality. Kai is following in his brother’s footsteps and is also socially engaged. His first trip to Nepal at the age of 5 made a big impression on him.

MILAN and ROHAN VAN DIJK

From an early age both Milan (born 2007) and Rohan (born 2009) have had the privilege to travel the world and have been exposed to the unfairness that exists and expressed their concern about the welfare of others less fortunate. The fact that their mother, Gita was born in one of the poorest countries in the world and that their grandparents chose a life helping others, have left deep impressions on them.

Being involved, on the sidelines, with the foundation, which is focused on improving the lives of women, makes them very proud.