Daan de Kort

Biography

“Never let your disability hold you back”

Entering politics was never an obvious choice for me. I come from a family of business owners, but I still stood for student council in secondary school. Later, I was elected to Veldhoven municipal council, before being made alderman for the economy in 2018. Eindhoven and the Brainport region are home to countless opportunities that we should grab with both hands.

Cup of coffee

I feel like a representative of my generation in politics. It is very important to get young people involved in politics, which is why I try to stay in touch with them and listen to their thoughts and opinions, even if they disagree with me. I will always reach out to others and enjoy joining people for a cup of coffee, digitally or in real life.

Make your own choices

Since 2008, I have had only 4% of my eyesight, and I want to be a role model for other people with a disability. I lost my eyesight very suddenly, and I still remember how all these authorities started to organise my life for me. It is my firm belief that everyone should have the freedom to make their own choices. You should never let your disability hold you back.

Good cheer

As a Noord-Brabant native, I try to bring good cheer to the House. I am a massive fan of PSV and a big music lover – I will play everything from Armin van Buuren to André Hazes. I even used to perform at parties and events as DJ Braille.

Education

• Pre-master Public Administration, Leiden University, Leiden, Completed in 2018
• HBO Public Administration, Avans University of Applied Sciences, Den Bosch, Graduated 2015

Career

• Member of the working group, Working Eindhoven Urban Area, from 2018
• Election program committee member, VVD Noord-Brabant, 2018
• Member, AB regional work company Zuidoost-Brabant, from 2018
• Member of Portfolio Holders, Consultation Labor Market, from 2018
• Member Expert team, Awareness of Accessible voting program EBU, Paris, 2018-2019
• Member of portfolio holders, Education Consultation, from 2018
• Member, DB Regional Work Company, from 2018
• Vice-Chairman of Portfolio Holders, Consultation economy Metropolis Region Eindhoven (MRE), from 2018
• Member, AB Joint Scheme Employment Services Region Eindhoven (Ergon), from 2018
• Member, Compulsory Education Committee / Regional Reporting and Coordination Function Metropolitan Region Eindhoven, from 2018
• Member of the regional board, Public primary education De Kempen, from 2018
• Alderman, VVD municipality of Veldhoven, Veldhoven, from 2018
• Chairman, Lokaal Educatieve Agenda, from 2018
• Chairman of portfolio holders, Consultation Urban Area Eindhoven, from 2018
• Member, Administrative platform C4 Campus municipalities, from 2018
• Member core team, Facilities Eindhoven Urban Area, from 2018
• Co-founder and partner, Trots op Veldhoven Media, Veldhoven, 2016-2018
• Columnist, De Uitstraling, 2016-2018
• Party leader, VVD municipality of Veldhoven, Veldhoven, 2016-2018
• Vice Group Chairman, VVD municipality of Veldhoven, Veldhoven, 2015-2016
• Co-founder local network VVD Best Oirschot, VVD municipality of Veldhoven, Veldhoven, 2015-2016
• Councilor, VVD municipality of Veldhoven, Veldhoven, 2014-2018
• Member, Audit Committee Municipality of Veldhoven, Veldhoven, 2014-2018
• Co-founder, PuntErbij.nl, 2012-2014
• VVD party employee, VVD municipality of Veldhoven, Veldhoven, 2011-2014
• DJ, DJ Braille, 2009-2018
• Spokesperson at primary schools, In collaboration with SGPV, 2009-2014
• Member Participation Council, Sondervick College, 2008-2010
• Chairman of the Student Council, Sondervick College, 2007-2010