Fleur Hermanides

Fleur Hermanides was born on Aruba and raised on Sint Maarten and said, “I was always interested in my surroundings and was therefore drawn to studying biology.” Based on this interest, she pursued a Masters in ‘Research in Behaviour and Cognitive Neuroscience’ at the Rijksuniversiteit Groningen in the Netherlands. After graduation, Fleur worked briefly in the Netherlands and then returned home to Sint Maarten in late 2010 to work as Senior Policy Advisor Environment and Hygiene at the Department of Public Health (Government of Sint Maarten). Her affinity for all things within the biology field, whether marine or terrestrial, flora or fauna, led to an ambition to make a positive difference. In addition to her professional work, Fleur has gotten more involved in different volunteer positions focusing on social well-being, animal welfare, and/or helping improve the environment and nature issues. In recent years, Fleur switched jobs and began working more in the social field by assisting NGOs with acquiring financial assistance, including organizing Sint Maarten’s largest annual local volunteer initiative. Her work today ensures that more people get involved in trying to make a difference for Sint Maarten. In addition, Fleur also significantly contributes her own time through volunteerism, including as a long-time member of the EPIC Sint Maarten Board of Directors.