As an international expert in local governance and government communication, Cecile, together with Peter Knip started with The Hague Academy in 2006. Before that, she was a trainer and consultant in Sudan, Albania, Ukraine and Serbia in the field of local service delivery, citizen participation and communication. Cecile was an advisor of the Municipal Executive, head of the press department and spokesman for the vice-mayor of urban planning and housing at the city of The Hague, and head of the communication department of the municipality of Den Helder. She holds an MSc in Communication and Public Administration from the University of Amsterdam, published several articles on government communication and was a radio journalist and editor of a magazine on women and development.