Education & Internships Spotlight | | |
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Stephen T. Staggs, PhD
2010 NAF-Fulbright Alumni
Stephen Staggs is an accomplished independent historian with a PhD and a graduate certificate in Ethnohistory from Western Michigan University. He was awarded the prestigious New York 400 Fellowship by the NAF for the 2010-2011 academic year, enabling him to study Cultural and Intellectual History at Vrije University. Stephen's current research explores the complex interactions between Indigenous, African, and European peoples in early modern Europe, colonial North America, and the Atlantic World.
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His first book, Calvinists & Indians in the Northeastern Woodlands, was published by Routledge at the close of 2025. The book explores the influence and limits of the Dutch Reformation upon the dynamic, multifaceted relationships that developed between Native Americans and New Netherlanders living in the Northeast Woodlands up to 1750. Stephen is offering the NAF community for a limited time 20% off, view promo code here.
In 2027, he will be leading a travel & tour called A Tale of Two Republics, in the US and Netherlands. The tour will highlight the cultural, gastronomical, historical, and social connections between the Dutch Republic and the Early Republic of the United States, offering a fresh perspective on the ties between these two nations. Visit stephentstaggs.com to learn more about what Stephen has been doing since completing his fellowship.
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NAF Connection NYC is May 1
This event is a chance to meet current Dutch students & interns on exchange in the US. Hear about their experiences and network with others in the Dutch-American community.
All are welcome to attend, especially NAF alumni from any year. If you're a NAF member, supporter, or new to the organization, we'd love to meet you!
| | | New England: Executive Roundtable & Networking Forum | | |
On April 30, 2026, the Netherland-America Foundation (NAF) New England invites senior leaders to join a highly curated Executive Roundtable & Networking Forum aboard the iconic Clipper Stad Amsterdam in Boston Harbor.
This forum brings together C-suite executives, policymakers, AI innovators, and academic leaders for a focused and forward-looking discussion on one of the most defining topics of our time: the responsible integration of AI into life sciences and healthcare.
| | | Washington, DC: Ambassadors' Awards Dinner | | | | |
Join us for a special evening, June 10, 2026, in our Nation’s Capital that honors the enduring partnership between the United States and the Netherlands and shines a spotlight on individuals and companies who have made outstanding contributions to this unique relationship.
Proceeds from the dinner directly support the NAF’s Washington, DC Internship Program, which offers transformative opportunities for Dutch students to gain hands-on experience in government, policy, and finance throughout the DC area. Thanks to the generosity of our donors, more than 50 students have received NAF grants since the program’s inception. Your support enables us to open doors for the next generation of leaders, providing them with invaluable exposure and professional connections.
| | | Netherlands: NL Transatlantic Dinner | | |
250 Years United: U.S. and Netherlands, A Journey of Shared Freedoms
Half a century after the United States of America declared independence from the United Kingdom in 1776, the period from 1826 until 1876 saw major political, demographic, economic and social shifts in both the new republic of the United States and the young kingdom of the Netherlands.
The Civil War, the abolition of slavery and mass migration, both across the Atlantic Ocean and westward across the American continent had a major impact on American society. At the same time, explosive economic expansion as a result of the onset of the Industrial Revolution in the United States as well as colonialism in the Netherlands had a major impact on the distribution of wealth and the development of the political systems in both countries.
Travel between both countries intensified due to steam ships making the connection faster and more reliable.
In this column, let’s take a look at how these seismic events affected the development of shared values.
| | | Musicians of Ma'alwyck, a US-based ensemble, received a NAF Cultural Grant to support their chamber music concert series featuring Dutch composers from the 17th & 18th centuries. The concert series took place in Albany, Saratoga Springs, and Schenectady, New York in October 2025. | | Check out these Dutch-American collaborations! | | The Philippe Lemm Trio is on their Echo The Sun tour until June, with concerts across the Netherlands. | | Lucas and Arthur Jussen will return to Boston’s Symphony Hall April 16-18 for Ravel Mother Goose Suite and Rachmaninoff Symphonic Dances. | | US-based Endzeit is partnering with Dutch label Field Records for a workshop tour in San Francisco, Detroit, and NYC. | | Nominations open for future NAF Board Members | | |
The NAF Board Member cycle is kicking off, and the NAF Nominating Committee is requesting your valuable recommendations for candidates you believe would make excellent Board Members eager to serve on the NAF Board of Directors.
Board members play a crucial role in shaping the NAF’s culture, strategic focus, effectiveness, and financial sustainability. They also serve as ambassadors and advocates, making their contributions invaluable to the organization.
While all recommendations are welcome, the Nominating Committee is particularly interested in candidates who, through their skillsets, qualifications, experiences, geography, and background, can bring diverse perspectives, insights, and guidance to the mission of the NAF.
Please submit nominations to Caroliene Hermans at executivedirector@thenaf.org.
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A Dutch View on the Biggest Explosions in the Universe
Tuesday, April 7
5 pm to 7:30 pm ET
Washington, DC
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NAF New England Group Block for the Jussen Brothers at Symphony Hall
Saturday, April 18
8:00 pm ET
Boston, MA
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Hendrik Willem van Loon Lecture by William A. Harris, director of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum
Introducing the annual lecture collaboration between the Netherland-America Foundation & Stichting Vrienden van de Oude of Pelgrimvaderskerk
Tuesday, April 21
8:00-10:00 pm CET
Rotterdam
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NAF Atlanta Annual Signature Bike Event
The third annual bike ride with NAF Atlanta took place on Saturday, March 21 with a ride along the Beltline Westside Trail.
Cyclers stopped for stroopwafels and fresh lemonade from a bakfiets, enjoyed lunch, and held a raffle. They put the FUN in FUNdraising!
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NAF Connection Dinner Amsterdam
The NAF Alumni Committee Netherlands hosted their annual NAF Connection Dinner in Amsterdam on Friday, March 13. The annual event brings together NAF-supported students, interns, and researchers with NAF alumni and members for a spirited community dinner.
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NAF-Biz: What is it like to be the first U.S. employee of a Dutch scale-up?
The latest NAF-Biz networking event, on February 5, sparked a lively and honest conversation on the realities of working across Dutch and US business cultures. From the directness of the Dutch as a true asset, to decision-making styles, hierarchy, and the classic contrast in taking time off, our panel dove into both the similarities and the friction points that come with working across borders.
Special thanks to the office of Rabobank NY for hosting, along with panelists Adriaan Kolff, Sam Montella and Jason Sinyor.
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The Netherland-America Foundation
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