About Tineke Zoet

“Being an ex-seafarer and having worked in male-dominated, multicultural industries for over 20 years has shaped how I understand teams, leadership and human behaviour at work.”

Professional Background

I am a maritime workplace coach supporting organisations and professionals in strengthening psychological safety, collaboration, and communication in complex, high-pressure environments. My work is grounded in over 20 years’ experience across maritime, corporate and academic settings, often within male-dominated and multicultural industries.

My career began in 1999 as a Maritime Officer with the Dutch Merchant Navy, sailing on cargo vessels. Life at sea gave me first-hand insight into operational pressure, isolation, hierarchy and the unspoken dynamics that shape how people work together. After moving ashore, I continued working within the shipping sector in corporate and academic roles.

Alongside my maritime background, I have worked in corporate and academic environments, including learning design and e-learning project delivery. This experience allows me to translate complex human and operational challenges into practical, structured interventions that work within real organisational constraints.

My approach is shaped by academic training in human factors and a heightened sensitivity to group dynamics and unspoken pressures in teams. Completing an MPhil in Maritime Human Factors at the University of Strathclyde was a turning point, deepening my understanding of how leadership, systems and culture influence behaviour, safety and wellbeing at work. This perspective continues to inform my coaching, facilitation and leadership support today.

“Tineke masterfully balances coaching and mentoring, knowing exactly when to listen, when to ask the right questions, and when to offer clear, practical guidance.”
— Business coach, Maritime SheEO

Qualifications

  • MPhil, Human Factors – University of Strathclyde

  • Transformational Coaching (AC & ICF aligned) – Animas Centre for Coaching

  • BSc, Applied Sciences – University of Applied Sciences

  • Bachelor of Maritime Operations

  • APM Project Management Qualification (PMQ) – Association for Project Management