Aafje Sierksma has a MSc in human nutrition (Wageningen University) and a MSc in clinical epidemiology. In 2003 she received her PhD with her thesis entitled: Moderate alcohol consumption and vascular health. Thereafter she worked as a research scientist at the Unilever Health Institute of Unilever Research Vlaardingen. Since 2009 she is director of The Dutch Beer Institute. Her daily activities consist of initiating research in the area of beer and health and finding scientific partners and funding for these projects. In addition she is responsible for coordinating ongoing research funded by The Dutch Beer Institute. She has wide experience in alcohol research and has an extended network of international scientists.

Ivonne Sleutels studied food sciences (Wageningen University) and journalism (University for applied sciences, Utrecht). She worked as (web)editor for a food sciences journal, before she started as communication advisor at The Dutch Beer institute in 2010. She has wide experience in writing and translating scientific information to layman’s terms, editing and production of appealing communication materials on- and offline, website management and organising lectures.