David van Traa will step down from the AHK's Executive Board from 12 July 2025. The current vice-president has taken this decision for personal reasons after much deliberation.

David van Traa: ‘Despite the pleasure of working with so many in the AHK on so many issues, and despite the honour of holding this position, I have decided to say goodbye to the AHK. The reason is nothing more and nothing less than seeking a better work-life balance at this stage of my life. The responsibilities of being a member of the Executive Board of this beautiful organisation cannot be sufficiently combined with my desire to be more present for my partner, my still relatively young children and our loved ones. I have experienced the past period as valuable and exciting and I hope, after two years, to have made a modest but positive contribution to the stability and future of the Amsterdam University of the Arts.’

Annet Lekkerkerker, chair of the Executive Board, reacts to David's departure: ‘I am very sorry that David is leaving us, but respect his decision. Being a board member is a demanding job. I understand his desire to create more work-life balance. I will greatly miss our pleasant and well-oiled collaboration.’

David has decided to finish the current academic year and to work four days a week from January. The supervisory board will soon start looking for a new member of the board to succeed David.