The board consists of the following members:
 

• Anno Huidekoper, chairman
• Peter Chaudron, treasurer
• Carolien de Rover, secretary
• Marcel Betzel, general member
• Thomas ven Berckel, general member

Together we form a 5-member board where each member contributes his or her knowledge and experience.

In 2023, I was on my way from Amsterdam to Hanoi and, due to a stopover in Mumbai, I unexpectedly had a day to spend there. My wandering that day through Mumbai's slums made me want to go to India again. I then started looking for an 'excuse' to go there again.
During my working life, I am from 1957, I have been involved in drafting PR policies, making images, writing texts and setting up websites, among other things. I still teach photography courses. I am also chairman of palliative terminal care NW Friesland, where I was coordinator for several years.

Through an organisation that mediates in volunteers, I ended up at Thomas in Bangalore in 2023 to take pictures of the project there. They were inspiring days for me and we kept in touch. That eventually led to my chairmanship. I deal with the website and PR-related matters. I have a lot of contact with Thomas. My role is that of sounding board, particularly with regard to the policy to be pursued and the realisation of our ideals.

I am Peter Chaudron, born in 1960, married with two grown-up children who have flown out and are walking their own paths. We gave them the basis for this, not only in terms of upbringing but also by providing them with a good education, so that their chances in society are good. You wish that for everyone, but the world is not like that yet.

I came into contact with Toe to Heart when we ourselves were approached in 2016 to sponsor a child in her education. We did this then and that's how Sandhya came into our lives. Through periodic reports, we were kept informed of her progress. Nice to be able to follow this and proud when she graduated! Also nice to hear that she is now considering studying medicine, which really makes us feel fulfilled.
 

My wife and I both enjoy spending time volunteering in this third phase of life ("learn, earn and return"). Because of my finance background, I am the "doomed" treasurer and I enjoy doing that too. In addition, of course, you soundbite with the board.

Carolien de Rover has been secretary of the board since 1 March 2025.
Good friend Anno Huidekoper approached her for the Toe to Heart board in late 2024. He spoke enthusiastically about his meeting with Thomas and the beautiful project for children with single mothers in Bangalore. India had been in her heart since an internship for the College of Agriculture in 1982 at the National Food Institute in India. Moreover, the kind of project suits her. Carolien is a board member of a Soroptimist club, an NGO that also cares for women and girls in disadvantaged situations through small-scale projects, in the Netherlands and worldwide. Joining Toe to Heart was therefore a matter of course; a good future for many women and girls in India unfortunately is not.

Carolien is now retired. Previously, she worked as a researcher and project leader at TNO and in preventive healthcare. She has mainly worked to promote healthier lifestyles among young people. There, school, parents and sports clubs are always a party. She is therefore used to project-based thinking in the field of Toe to Hart.

Carolien's contribution to Toe to Heart so far consists of keeping minutes, action points for the board and soon also the archives. She also contributes to the implementation of the project and the texts for the website. Despite the large geographical distances between the board members, the lines of communication are short and they always make progress. Towards a good future for "our" children.

I have been a Toe to Heart board member since early 2022 and held the position of ad-interim chairman of the foundation for 3 years. Years ago, I visited India and Burkina Faso and saw on the spot what difference projects like Toe to Heart's can make. The mix of material and immaterial support in small-scale projects where the human dimension is not lost sight of: that is what appeals to me most about Toe to Heart's activities.

Empowering children is an important objective of Toe to Heart. I also experience how crucial empowerment is in my daily work as an international policy advisor at the Dutch Media Authority in Hilversum, where stimulating media literacy is higher and higher on the agenda. Also during my work for the European Union and the Council of Europe in countries like Ukraine, Serbia, Armenia and Azerbaijan, I noticed how important it is to empower media but also people themselves.

Of course, the international nature of Toe to Heart also appeals to me a lot. With my legal and journalistic training, I like to contribute to improving the internal organisation, governance and communication of the foundation. As a friend of Thomas, I have witnessed the development of Toe to Heart from the beginning and up close, and have always been very supportive of the foundation's work. I am delighted to now be able to be part of it and contribute myself.

As founder of Toe to Heart, the initiative was born from a deeply held belief: that real change starts with people themselves. Driven by my personal and professional experiences, I saw a clear need (among children) for a place where vulnerability, growth and connection are central.

My background is (partly) in healthcare and the social domain, where I worked for years with people in vulnerable positions. From different positions - both executive and coordinating - I experienced how important it is to be truly seen and heard. This experience has shaped me not only as a professional, but also as a human being.

Within Toe to Heart, I apply my (international and intercultural) expertise in people-centred coaching, personal development and team dynamics. I also focus on vision development and connecting professionals who want to make a difference.

My motivation stems from a deep desire to contribute to a world where people are truly in touch with themselves and each other. For me, Toe to Heart is therefore not a job, but a vocation. I believe that when we dare to follow our hearts and make genuine contact, together we can build a warmer, more people-centred society.