Our team
Meet the VegaVriend team!
Rick Scholtes
Age: 46 years
Vegan since 1997
Favorites
Animal: dog and cat
Color: green when I’m outside, gold-yellow when I’m thirsty, and black when I’m listening to music 😉
Vegan food: sushi & pizza
Who am I?
Hi, I’m Rick, and my adventure with VegaVriend started in 2015. I never imagined that VegaVriend would be where it is today. Thanks to my colleagues Kayleigh and Marlijn, working towards a better world is not only meaningful but also a lot of fun!
As Kayleigh will mention, I’m primarily responsible for everything and anything, essentially the catch-all who tackles leftover tasks. Additionally, I’m a dog behavior therapist and I give lectures and guest lectures on vegan pet nutrition. I love sharing my knowledge about vegan pet food!
I live in Maarn with my girlfriend, our two dogs, Noedel and Teddy, and our four cats, Binkie, Pinkie, Tonnie, and Mika. We enjoy providing a safe and peaceful home for anxious animals, helping them to thrive and show that the world can be a wonderful place.
We live near the forest, and I walk Noedel and Teddy through the woods every day. I also enjoy listening to music and working on DIY projects around the house.
Fun Facts
Favorite film and/or series: the A-Team
Favorite book: the Case for Animal Rights by Tom Regan
Expertise: vegan pet nutrition, dog behavior, and sustainability calculations
On my days off, I love to: do DIY projects or go for walks in nature and dine out
Something I’d like to learn: everything about cat behavior
I laugh about: office humor (I wish it were different too!)
My motto: you can also manage without a motto
Marlijn Kampjes
Age: 24 years
Vegan since 2019
Favorites
Animal: dog and sheep
Color: green
Vegan food: sushi & pizza
Who am I?
My name is Marlijn. I completed my studies in Animal Care Management in 2021, and since September 2023, I have been working at VegaVriend. I really enjoy it here!
Alongside Rick and Kayleigh, I ensure that procurement is in order and that the webshop runs smoothly.
I live in Hardenberg with my parents and our rescue dog, Millie. Additionally, I am part of Stichting Farm of Mercy, an organization dedicated to helping abused and/or neglected animals from the livestock industry. In short, I love everything about animals! 🙂
Fun Facts
Favorite book: the Harry Potter series
Favorite holiday: new Year’s Eve
Expertise: vegan cooking and baking. And dog breeds. I know a lot of dog breeds!
On my days off, I love to: explore nature, cook or bake, and have fun with my (boy)friend(s)
Something I’d like to learn: drumming at the moment, but ask me again next week and you might get a completely different answer 😉
I laugh about: regularly during lunch breaks with Rick and Kayleigh
My motto: home is where the dog is
Kayleigh Leupen
Age: 31 years
Vegan since 2019
Favorites
Animal: every animal, except slugs and fish
Color: pink and green
Vegan food: potatoes (in all shapes and sizes)
Who am I?
Hello, I’m Kayleigh (Lee or Lele to friends and family). I joined VegaVriend with Marlijn in 2023. Thanks to our small but great team, my role is diverse, challenging, and a lot of fun. Together with Marlijn and Rick, I’m responsible for many tasks, but as a communication professional, I mainly focus on social media, internal communication, and communication tools. The other variety of tasks that come with the job are just as enjoyable!
I live in Uden with my partner, our cat Teddy Beer, and our dog Momo San. I love spending my free time with friends and family, in nature, or engaging in one of my (creative) hobbies. I enjoy walking or exercising, and I find relaxation with my nose in a book or a paintbrush in hand. But right now, all my free time is reserved for DIY-projects, because we are renovating our house. It’s a love/hate kind of thing 😉
Fun Facts
Favorite book: fantasy and romantic fantasy novels
Favorite holiday: Animal Day
Expertise: ADHD, hair dye, nutrition, sports, and dog and cat behavior (not everything, but quite a bit)
On my days off, I love to: do DIY projects, read, or paint
Something I’d like to learn: furniture making and gardening (especially growing vegetables)
I laugh about: Momo. My co-workers are also funny sometimes.
My motto: live laugh love