Who are we?

Playful Business Leaders is a product of Moll Academy BV, founded in 2006. In her work, the media and in the world around her, Somaya Moll sees the increased desire for a greater sense of purpose, balance and development among professionals, and at the same time, many children who are in need of help.

Through this Programme, Moll Academy wants to build bridges between the corporate world and the underprivileged, between rich and poor, young and old, aiming to make our world a better and more harmonious place. Empowering professionals and children and building bridges using knowledge, experience, inspiration and new skills.

This Training Programme was developed thanks to many inspiring conversations with other people, from child to CEO.

Somaya Moll


Director Moll Academy BV

As a social entrepreneur, political scientist and international expert for the UN, I have been working on empowering people since 2006. In 2006 I founded Moll Academy as a social enterprise, with a clear vision to empower people to become strong, conscious leaders of today and the future - young and old. So far we have already empowered more than 7000 people. My mission with Moll Academy is to contribute to a more equal and harmonious society, by bridging the gap between rich and poor, young and old in our services. I am very proud of our team that works with their hearts and minds each day.

In addition to Moll Academy, I have also been working for the UN since 2010, first as a project manager at UNIDO and since 2018 as an international expert. I have developed and implemented large-scale projects in over 30 countries, mainly in Africa and Eastern Europe, in the fields of employment, finance, start-ups, value chain development and industrial and economic development. I have given many trainings on these topics worldwide to Ministers, diplomats, businesses and civil society. As a project manager, trainer, coach, author and speaker at international conferences, I have not only studied these subjects scientifically, but also learned a lot from other cultures and people. In this work I often do the same as at Moll Academy: helping people realize their potential by increasing knowledge and confidence.

Our Trainers:

  • Marie-Cecile Widdershoven

    Development Economist and Nonviolent Communication Trainer

    “With a full “yes!” In 1988 I chose to study Macroeconomics and Development Programming at Erasmus University in Rotterdam. Out of a deep desire to want to contribute meaningfully to the world: I graduated on the effects of microcredit in Bangladesh. I subsequently became a researcher in the same field for several years. From there I ended up at the Netherlands Economic Institute and later Ecorys. As a macro-economist I supervised transition processes in countries in Eastern Europe: from a centrally planned economy to a market-oriented economy. An adventurous, intensive and varied existence, which also had an impact on my health. To regain balance I left for a number of years (partly) for the Rocky Mountains in the US: living in the middle of nature, building a house myself and reconnecting with what I really want in life. New studies followed, such as: Nonviolent Communication, a full training as a body-oriented psychotherapist (Core Energetica), Mindfulness trainer training and many others.
    Since 2010 I train and coach in organizations. The innovative and creative style inspires and supports me in my personal mission to contribute meaningfully to the world. My training courses focus on personal and connecting leadership. In addition, I guide and coach (young) professionals to see themselves and the (professional) world around them clearly and empathically. And then coach the coaches, based on the insights that arise, make choices that suit them and that also serve the organization.”

  • Susan Moll

    Practice for Psychotherapy


    “I find human behaviour, feeling and thinking, and sharing that with others fascinating. I like to be involved with people, young and older. Providing insight and perspective is what I have been offering for years. I started with therapy for children, then opted for help for adults, both in work and private circumstances.
    After studying Social Sciences at the University of Leiden, I have always continued to learn through courses and further training. Mediation, conflict management, Gestalt (therapy), hypnosis and regression therapy, Voice Dialogue, couples therapy, NLP, EFT, EMDR, ACT (third generation behavioral therapy), are some of the methodologies I master and use. In addition to working in my psychology practice, I have taught at HLI for a long time. I have also been a management trainer and personal coach for executives for more than 20 years. I still coach senior management in their business and personal decisions.”

  • Sophia Dijkgraaf

    Executive advisor strategy and development

    Having been born to an artistic family, arts and culture have been a part of my life from a very young age. This eventually resulted in a Master's Degree in Arts and Culture Studies and a specialisation in arts and culture policies and management of cultural institutions. After a position with the cultural department of the Dutch Consulate in New York, other great career opportunities followed, such as a position in fundraising and development for 't Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam.

    I found myself wishing to contribute more to society, and took on several different positions with the Dutch government, working with organisational development and change management. I am currently employed as Executive Advisor strategy and development with the city of Amstelveen. I enjoy tackling issues pertaining to strategy and change management and find great pleasure in using a creative and open mind to envision the desired future and the things that are necessary to reach it. How do you activate people? What kind of leadership does that require? What is the interaction between management and the rest of the organisation like? How do you stimulate growth and change within organisations?

    The beautiful combination of knowledge and intuition gives me the power to stimulate organisations, people and processes, and this gives me an incredible amount of energy every day. I am always curious about the magic of life and make sure to work on developing myself, through courses and lectures, among other things. I also love adventure. Only a few years ago, I bought a parcel of land in Almere Oosterwold where I built my own wooden house.