Simon van Melick

Background

About Simon van Melick

Simon van Melick is CEO of SPARK, an international NGO focused on economic development for youth, including women and refugees, in fragile and conflict-affected situations. With over a decade of experience within SPARK, Simon has led several departments including as Head of Strategy and Head of Communications. Within these roles he has been central to developing and guiding the implementation of SPARK’s 2030 Strategy, as well as building the communications function within the organisation. His achievements at SPARK also include launching and coordinating the annual IGNITE conference in Amsterdam and throughout several other strategic regions, including Dubai, Beirut and Tunisia.His work at SPARK has also extended to programme management where he has delivered several successful youth employment programmes in Burundi, South Sudan, Iraq and the Palestinian territories. Most notably, Mr. van Melick designed and implemented the innovative Networks of Change programme in Iraq, financed by the Dutch Ministry of Affairs, which prevents radicalisation and violent extremism among youth, including women and refugees.Simon is a 2022 graduate of the THNK School of Leadership in The Netherlands, which designs and delivers transformational learning programmes to help leaders thrive in complexity and act to increase their impact. Prior to his work at SPARK, Mr. van Melick held several positions within campaign and communication agencies in The Netherlands and holds a Bachelor’s degree in History from the University of Amsterdam (The Netherlands) and the New School for Social Research in New York City (USA). He speaks Dutch and English fluently, as well as conversational French.