Matthias Gutzmann
Founder & Board Member
In 2018, frustrated by the lack of affordable options for procurement conferences, Matthias took a leap of faith. Leaving his job in New York, he moved to Germany, invested his savings, and launched DPW.
The result? A groundbreaking event in September 2019, attracting 400+ industry leaders from 33 countries. Prior to DPW, he spearheaded Procurement Leaders' entry into North America.
Herman Knevel
CEO & Board Member
As DPW's new CEO, Herman aims to lead in procurement and supply chain tech, fostering impactful connections.
With 20+ years in strategy and innovation advisory, he excels in making innovation impacts tangible, aligning strategy, identifying needs, and executing at scale. He advocates for ambidextrous organizations, managing existing operations while exploring new opportunities.
Mark Perera
Chairman & Board Member
Mark Perera is a visionary entrepreneur passionate about transforming procurement, supply chain, and sustainability through cutting-edge technology.
He founded Procurement Leaders in 2004, growing it into the world's largest network for procurement executives. Perera also co-founded Vizibl, a leading SaaS platform for supplier collaboration, and Supplier Day, a platform for virtual supplier events. A recognized thought leader, he co-authored the book "Procurement with Purpose" to drive positive change and decarbonize supply chains.
Anna Lovell
CFO
Anna is an experienced CFO and fellow of the ICAEW. After training at PWC she has held a wide range of senior consulting and CFO roles in a wide range of organisations, always delivering significant change within the Tech, media and telco sector, including CFO of Procurement leaders, Data Leaders, White Fox Publishing, Head of accounting and Risk at Openreach, Head of Network Build Finance for TMobile group and Head of Technology Finance at TMobile UK where she ran the Network and IS investment boards. She is passionate about leveraging the talents of the team, creating insight and relationships that facilitate success by focussing on managing the future, whilst learning from the past.
Martijn Vrijken
Senior Events Manager
Martijn is our Senior Events Manager at DPW. He has extensive tech conference experience from his role at TNW, where he managed their events for close to seven years.
His love for events already started during his studies where he co-founded an events and concepting company that placed activations at festivals on a weekly basis. His six-month intermezzo at Walt Disney in Orlando did add to his contagious enthusiasm.
Simone Heeremans
Head of Production
Simone, our creative Head of Production loves to be surrounded by motivated people that have an urge to create beautiful things. She is focused on details, communication, design, and has extensive technical knowledge.
She has experience managing large scale events such as TNW, Hashicorp, and Barry Callebaut. Besides producing events she also works as a show director.
Karim Youssef
Creative Director
Karim does everything creative at DPW, drawing from rich collaborations with the UN, Expedia, INDG, Nestle, and Philip Morris.
His passion for brand strategy ensures compelling narratives resonate deeply. With a background steeped in innovation, Karim crafts immersive digital experiences that captivate audiences worldwide, fostering meaningful connections and driving brand success.
Junior Brinkers
Head of Sales
Junior is experienced in Marketing, Sales, and Operations with 12+ years in consumer goods. He has previously led global strategic growth and innovation plans for Unilever, boosting sales and resource planning.
With proven success in leading business units and projects, driving significant growth across the world, Junior is a valuable asset for DPW's strategic objectives.
Ishaan Dua
Digital Marketing Lead
Ishaan manages all things Digital Marketing at DPW. He aims to create a well oiled digital marketing machine at DPW that is creative, while still being efficient and data driven.
With prior experience at incumbents like L'Oreal and Philips as well as fast growing tech startups, Ishaan has a broad range of experience in a variety of marketing domains.
Luke Gilmore
Project Manager
Luke manages special projects at DPW - everything from long term strategic planning to preparing board meetings and defining impact at DPW.
He has experience as a lawyer, consultant and innovation program manager and previously worked at PwC and The Next Web. Luke is passionate about helping DPW make choices about how to grow while remaining true to the brand people know and love.
Monique Alblas
Head of Consulting
Monique Alblas heads DPW LABS, DPW's consulting arm, driving Procurement's value enhancement worldwide.
With 20+ years' experience, including roles at Accenture and GEP, she guides companies globally in their digital transformation, from point solution scouting to full landscape design. Additionally, she contributes to nlmtd B.V., DPW's partner, focusing on strategy and innovation in procurement.
Ilan Yoeli
Audience Acquisition Manager
After earning his industrial engineering degree while leading sleddog tours in Alaska and coaching surfers in off-grid bays in Panama, Ilan was eager to bring his ambition to the market. As a S/BDR in manufacturing, his drive caught the attention of DPW's headhunter. Now, under the mentorship of Matthias and Herman, Ilan consistently exceeds expectations, leading DPW’s sales to new heights.
Sara Falahatkar
Startup Scouting Intern
Sara is the Startup Scout Intern at DPW, combining her data science expertise with a passion for innovation in procurement. As a master's student in Data Science for Decision Making, Sara identifies and evaluates emerging startups, applying machine learning and data analysis techniques to enhance DPW’s startup ecosystem. Her work supports strategic outreach, categorization, and process optimization, driving valuable connections between startups, corporations, and investors.
Matthew Brown
Social Media Marketing Intern
Matthew is a Social Media Intern at DPW, where he manages content creation for the company’s digital channels, including YouTube and LinkedIn. In this role, he is responsible for producing innovative, high-quality content that stands out in the rapidly evolving tech landscape, ensuring DPW’s content remains competitive and engaging. With a background that includes hands-on experience as an early content creator on TikTok, Matthew has a deep understanding of social media dynamics and trends. His studies at NHL Stenden University in Leeuwarden have further refined his production skills and broadened his knowledge of digital marketing and content strategy.
Palak Soni
Event Assistant
Palak Soni is an event assistant at DPW, specializing in managing attendee registrations and CRM systems. She plays a key role in ensuring seamless communication, organization, and client relationships throughout the event planning process. Palak’s attention to detail and positive attitude make her a valued contributor to the success of DPW’s events.
Hang Phuong Pham
Social Media Marketing Intern
Hang Phuong is a Social Media Marketing Intern studying Economics and Business Economics at the University of Amsterdam. She applies a thoughtful, strategic approach to content creation and digital campaigns. With attention to detail and a versatile skill set, she focuses on delivering content that resonates with audiences and supports brand goals. Hang Phuong values consistency and commitment in her work, ensuring alignment with evolving trends in the digital space.
Suzi Maertens
Operations Lead
Suzi has several years of experience in the events industry, where she has supported teams, managed projects, and ensured the delivery of successful events. She is dedicated to operational excellence and thrives in collaborative environments, working to optimize processes and maintain high standards. Suzi is passionate about fostering a positive team culture and contributing to innovative, dynamic workplaces.
Victor Bueno
Content & Speaker Manager
With a background in international relations and political economy, Victor brings a rich understanding of diverse industries to his role as Content & Speaker Manager at DPW. Previously at TNW, he managed hundreds of speakers across various large-scale conference programs, honing his expertise in curating impactful content and facilitating meaningful connections with industry leaders. Victor’s work reflects his belief in the transformative power of global perspectives and shared knowledge.
