Meet the Team
Welcome to Tewaii's Team!
Our team consists of a diverse group of professionals, ranging from sanitary engineers and designers to island hydrologists and various experts from other fields. In addition to our core and extended team, we also collaborate with wonderful international and local specialists joining in per island project.

MSc Civil Engineer I Jessie-Lynn van Egmond
Founder & Systems Integration Engineer
Jessie-Lynn is happiest on islands, doing fieldwork or researching wastewater, precipitation, run-off, waste, ground, irrigation water or soil. Don't be surprised to find her crossing terrains, climbing obstacles and covered in mud, determined to get as much accurate measurements as possible. When not out in the field, she works as a Small Island Developing States (SIDS) Expert, specializing in system integration across water, wastewater, energy, and food nexus topics. With a knack for interdisciplinary teamwork, Jessie-Lynn believes that we can solve the world's most pressing issues when working together.

MSc Civil Engineer | Markus Pleij
Tender & Project Manager
Markus Pleij draws from his professional background in the fields of civil engineering and project management, bringing his expertise to Tewaii. Markus understands the complexities inherent for project management on Small Island Developing States and is skilled in preparing and drafting comprehensive tender documents, ensuring all compliance and regulatory standards are met. Markus finds fulfillment in sharing his knowledge and passion with others. Whether through mentorship opportunities or community outreach programs, Markus is committed to investing in the next generation of professionals in his field.

Designer | Aaron Cassou
Creative Director
Originally from Los Angeles, Aaron has made the leap into the science community after a long and successful career in Hollywood's fashion and interior design industry. Loving both science and arts from a very young age, he has now integrated both of his passions as creative director of Tewaii. Always eager to expand his knowledge, you can find him side by side with Jessie-Lynn in the field documenting. From sample size to water sample, Aaron is a cross-disciplinary talent who is not afraid to get his hands dirty. Outside work hours, you can find Aaron as an active member of LA's tropical growing community or cooking healthy meals while listening to e-books.

MSc Civil Engineer | Ting Ting Zhou
Sanitary Engineer
Ting Ting’s organizational talents and passion for the environment make her the perfect fit for Tewaii, where she is in charge Tewaii's sanitary endeavors. Born and raised in China, Ting Ting obtained her degree in Environmental Science before moving to the Netherlands to complete her masters in Environmental Engineering at TU Delft, specializing in wastewater treatment schemes. When Ting Ting is not designing for sanitary facilities, she is analyzing the environmental data collected by Tewaii’s field team in the lab. In her free time, Ting Ting is a true kitchen princess that can turn any produce into a delightful taste sensation.

MSc Civil Engineer | Judith Brummelkamp
Social Impact & Gender Specialist
Judith is a world traveler that draws inspiration from the diversity of cultures across our globe. With an open mind and a listening ear, she is an excellent conversationalist that takes joy in truly understanding the needs of people. Her technical education, social skills and wastewater project management expertise form the foundation of her social-technical approach on topics such as inclusion, gender and social impact in the context of the water and wastewater sector. When disconnected from the world, Judith enjoys yoga and a wide range of music.

MSc Civil Engineer | Kirsten van Dongen
GIS & Remote Sensing Engineer
Kirsten is a highly skilled Geoscience and Remote Sensing Engineer with a passion for studying island ecosystems. With a robust background in geological sciences and advanced remote sensing technologies of TU Delft, Kirsten brings a unique expertise in analyzing and interpreting satellite and aerial imagery to understand the dynamic processes shaping island landscapes. In her free time, Kirsten loves to venture out and hike mountains, swim in lakes and kayak through the world's most untouched regions.