Lead Facilitator/Coach
Dr Rick van der Zwan spent more than 20 years as a behavioural neuroscientist, working as a researcher and lecturer in universities in Australia and internationally. Then, in 2014, he left the tertiary sector to set up his own research and evaluation consultancy.
It was harder than he thought. Over and over, Rick ran into doors closed to him because he had been an academic. Industry is cautious of academics, even those who have managed to reform, and Rick had to learn how to pitch his skills, and how to communicate with business owners and decision-makers, to convince them he too meant business.
He has since established a business that works across Australia, Asia, and into the Middle East. His clients include universities, NGOs, NFPs, international schools, and Governments.
Rick uses his first-hand knowledge and experience to help academics moving from the university sector into industry to better articulate their skills and their “personal brand” to grow their business careers.
Rick holds an Honours Degree in Psychology and a PhD, both from the University of Sydney.
