About Us

Empowering Talent.

Enabling Growth.

Moving Forward with Purpose.

Our Why

Stryda is inspired by the word “stride” – a confident step forward. It reflects our belief in progress with purpose: helping engineers take meaningful steps in their careers, towards growth that lasts.

We believe that when engineers are given the right opportunity – and are truly seen and supported – they thrive, and shape the world around them.

Stryda stands for movement, momentum, and building a future that works – for people and the industries they power.

Our mission

We connect ambitious engineers to purpose-driven careers – and unlock their unique talents by guiding their journey with clarity, care, and long-term commitment.

Our Vision

To build a space where talent moves freely, confidently, and with purpose.

Our Story

Stryda was founded on a unique blend of deep engineering expertise and a passion for talent development , because a meaningful opportunity isn’t just a next step, it’s the beginning of long-term growth. What started as a conversation between three founders grew into a new kind of talent partner.

What connected us was a shared belief: talent is more than a skillset, and recruitment isn’t just about filling roles.

We believe that everyone is one of a kind.

That’s why we saw a gap – and a chance to build something better.

At Stryda, we connect talent not just to jobs, but to growth, purpose, and direction. We believe in long-term commitment, personal guidance, and the power of making meaningful career moves.

From that belief, Stryda continues to grow – empowering people to progress and enabling companies to move forward with purpose.

Meet
The team

Jack Custers

Director & Founder

Stryda is built on the combined experience of a team that understands engineering and talent development inside out. With over 20 years of experience in engineering and tech , and a strong network across Europe and South Africa , Jack helps engineers take bold steps at defining moments, and supports companies with deep industry insight to build strong, future-ready teams. He understands what businesses need and leads with care , not just contracts. For him, relocation is more than a job move; it’s a new chapter in life, built on trust, talent, and long-term success.

Lonneke Scheijvens

Talent Manager

With over 25 years of experience in connecting people, talent management, and personal development, Lonneke brings a deep understanding of what helps people grow , and thrive. Driven by a genuine interest in people, she builds lasting relationships with individuals, teams, and organizations. Authenticity and integrity are at the heart of her work. By tuning into the real needs behind every conversation, she helps shape tailored development journeys that support both personal and professional growth. At Stryda, Lonneke works closely with our engineers to create development plans that guide them to a future full of purpose and possibility.

Hogan Kersten

Business Development & Founder

Hogan’s background in engineering and business gives him a sharp eye for building things that last. From scaling ventures to designing people-first systems, he’s focused on one thing: creating the kind of environment where both talent and teams can thrive. Across everything he does, honesty and transparency are key, making sure everyone feels supported, valued, and set up for success. Because when success is shared, it grows.

Ruud van den Nieuwenhof

Talent Development Partner

Ruud is a people-minded leader with an entrepreneurial spirit and a passion for unlocking potential. He brings over a decade experience in leadership roles. Specialized in Human Capital, he focuses on meaningful, growth driven placements. His drive lies in helping individuals and organizations flourish together.

Karla Botha

Talent Partner

With a background in talent and HR, Karla brings a people-first approach to her role at Stryda. As part of the team in Cape Town, South Africa, she works closely with engineers to understand their ambitions, support their career growth, and connect them with meaningful opportunities abroad. Beyond recruitment, Karla plays an important role in representing Stryda within the South African engineering community, building relationships across universities, industry, and professional networks, and helping to grow Stryda’s presence. Her focus goes beyond filling roles. It is about creating meaningful connections, building trust, and supporting engineers throughout their journey, from their first connection with Stryda through to their international move and beyond.

Monique Liebisch

Marketing & Content Manager

What began as a bold idea among the founders has grown into a brand with purpose, presence, and personality. With deep expertise in branding and storytelling, Monique brings the Stryda vision to life, crafting more than a visual identity; shaping the story we tell. Together with the team in South Africa (Cape Town), she transforms ideas into identity, building a brand that speaks with clarity, connects with people, and sets us apart.

Ankia van den Berg

People & Operations Partner

As People & Operations Partner, Ankia brings a background as an Agile Delivery Lead and Integral Coach, with strong expertise in team development, structure, and performance. She builds the internal foundation that enables engineers and teams to perform at their best. Having relocated from South Africa to the Netherlands herself, alongside her husband, a Senior Engineer at Stryda, she understands that an international move is more than logistics; it is a life-changing journey. Based on her first-hand experience, Ankia can ensure that relocation, onboarding, and personal development are structured with clarity, care, and long-term vision.

Gideon Nel

Content Creator + Engineer

Gideon brings a B.Eng in Electromechanical Engineering from North-West University and hands-on experience in high-voltage systems, software development, and mechatronic innovation. As Content Creator & Engineer at Stryda, he represents a new generation of internationally driven engineers. Beyond his work as an engineer, Gideon documents his own relocation journey from South Africa to the Netherlands. Through authentic video content, he captures the reality of building a new career and life in the Netherlands, offering future engineers a real-world view of what it truly means to move forward.