Mirjam Ros

Contact Mirjam Ros

Expertise

Innovation, Sustainability

Themes

Travel and Transportation

Director Collaborative Innovation & Partnerships

“No one flies solo.” That motto runs like a thread through the work of Mirjam Ros. She brings people, ideas, and interests together to make innovative collaboration possible, from aerospace and defense to sustainable industries.

Mirjam combines over 25 years of experience in commercial, legal, and strategic leadership roles at organizations such as Airbus Netherlands, (GKN) Fokker, and TNO, with her current work at nlmtd as a business coach, speaker, and advisor. She helps teams, companies, and public organizations design innovation partnerships that truly work: fair, future-proof, and impactful.

Her strength lies in making complex topics understandable, creating clarity and direction, and translating strategy into action. Whether it’s innovation procurement, IP strategy, or co-creation within ecosystems, Mirjam knows how to connect technology, collaboration, and value creation.

My talent

Curiosity is my compass. It motivates me to ask questions that connect different viewpoints and clarify the shared problem we aim to solve. Working with diverse teams, I turn complexity into clarity, co-creating solutions that not only work today but are also built to last.

Innovating together in ecosystems

Traditional supply chains are no longer effective for driving innovation. Instead, ecosystems are emerging – dynamic collaborations where start-ups, scale-ups, knowledge institutes, corporates, and governments jointly develop new solutions. Ecosystems are far more effective in accelerating innovation, but they also demand new skills and mindsets, including flexible partnerships, innovation-oriented procurement, balanced IP deals tailored to the context, a growth mindset, courage, and proactive alignment among all players.

Mirjam helps organizations design and implement these collaborations successfully in practice. She knows how to turn potential friction between start-ups and corporates into valuable synergy and connection – built on mutual understanding, clear agreements, and a shared focus on impact.

The Innovation Matrix

Mirjam is the author of The Innovation Matrix — a practical and accessible guide for anyone involved in innovation and collaboration. In the book, she shares a clear framework for building effective innovation ecosystems, finding the right balance between IP and partnership, and turning ideas into lasting impact.

Personal drive

This connecting approach is deeply ingrained in her DNA. One of her grandfathers owned his own business; the other was active in the labor union, entrepreneurial, and socially conscious. Her parents ran a company together, where she learned early on what it means to take risks, seize opportunities, and stay inventive and resilient. During family vacations, her father would take her to the most innovative construction sites of the time, teaching her the art of negotiation. Her mother, the family’s financial conscience, instilled in her the belief that independence and learning are keys to growth.

Today, Mirjam motivates others to do the same: set clear goals, connect people, and turn plans into action. Because plans aren’t meant to sit in a drawer – they’re designed to shape the future.

“There are many ways to reach Rome,” she often says. “Call me – and we’ll find the path that works best for you.”

Topics Mirjam speaks about

Innovating together in ecosystems
From technology to impact: organizing innovation in practice
Collaboration between start-ups and corporates
IP strategy as a growth accelerator
Innovation-oriented procurement
Partnerships and co-creation: collaborating for future resilience

Book Mirjam as a speaker

Mirjam is an energetic and insightful speaker who simplifies complex themes into accessible insights and practical tools. Her talks are personal, thoughtful, and action-oriented – blending vision, realism, and a touch of humor.