Hi there, we’re Charlie and Safiya.
We co founded Make it Werk after many conversations in our living room when we were flatmates in Amsterdam. We were already working together in nightlife producing a quarterly drag show and somewhere along the way realised we loved bringing people together. Not just at parties, but in all kinds of spaces.
That is how Make it Werk was born.
Today we design experiences that help people connect, collaborate and celebrate. Whether it is delivering an inspiring keynote on inclusion, bringing a team together for a fun-filled offsite or throwing a Pride party, we love creating moments where people feel energised, inspired and part of something.
Together we blend strategy, creativity and joy to help organisations make work… well, werk.
Interview with our Co-Founders
Hello!
What did you do before Make it Werk (and what did you take with you)?
I started in strategy consulting at PwC and Systemiq, working on climate and sustainability challenges.
I quickly realised facilitation was my favourite part, bringing people together to work through complexity and collaborate better.
Now I work with organisations like Netflix, Warner Bros, Schiphol and EcoVadis, creating spaces where everyone can contribute.
What will people always experience in a session with you?
Outside of work, I perform as the drag queen Charlene Coco and for a long time I kept that separate. Now, I bring that energy into my work.
You can expect sessions full of laughter, care and joy. I combine a strong strategy backbone with playful, creative facilitation to design experiences where people feel safe enough to be honest and brave enough to contribute.
What is Safiya really good at that people don’t see straight away?
What people don’t immediately see is how calm and grounded she is under pressure. When things get busy or messy, she stays clear, focused and quietly determined. I definitely need that energy. She also isn’t afraid to roast me when needed, which keeps me in check ;)
Clients we have worked for
What our clients say about us
Safiya and Charlie brought high energy and insight to our queer training event. They made the topic feel current and exciting, especially for our younger creatives who are deeply tuned into the latest trends. In a way, it also gave our colleagues a bit of permission to be more open with each other when they might not have before. Highly recommended for any company, creative agency, or LGBTQ+ employee resource group. Especially those who want to lead in culture and stay closely connected to the communities around them!
Derek Muller, Boomerang
Charlie and Safiya hosted a global workshop on 'Queering Design' that explored the intersection of queer theory and design. What stood out was how they framed queer theory as a tool for staying critically awake: asking who benefits, who pays the cost, who is excluded, and what might become possible if we dared to design differently. The session was thoughtful, open, and highly engaging — creating space for honest reflection while remaining practical and relevant to our work. Charlie and Safiya were a pleasure to work with. They took the time to understand our team’s needs and tailored the content accordingly, they also struck a great balance between depth and energy. It was a fun yet important session that sparked meaningful conversations across the team.
Daphne Tirelli, FutureBrand
Charlie and Safiya have facilitated several workshops for WPP and we are happy to now call them friends of WPP. Their LGBTQIA+ Inclusion and Diversity talks are engaging, poignant, thought-provoking and FUN. Their professionalism; ability to command a room; expertise and knowledge on the history of LGBTQIA+ rights; host workshops and talks with a significant number of people and passion is incredible.
Anouk Vonk, WPP
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Charlie
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Let’s stay connected
Reach out about a project, collaboration or just to say hello!
What did you do before Make it Werk (and what did you take with you)?
Alongside my work as a facilitator, I come from the cultural and NGO sector, where I spent years organising events and bringing people together across music, community spaces and nightlife.
I’ve always worn a lot of different hats, but the thread through all of my work has always been the same: inclusion. I’m really interested in how we make sure people who are usually on the margins are brought into the centre — not just invited into the room, but genuinely included in the conversation.
What will people always experience in a session with you?
A smile! I work on a lot of topics that can feel serious or intimidating, but I don’t think serious topics necessarily have to be delivered in a serious way.
People learn, open up and connect more when there’s warmth, humour and a bit of joy in the room - so that’s something I always bring into every session.
What is Charlie really good at that people don’t see straight away?
Charlie’s drag alter ego, Charlene Coco, is a shining star on the Amsterdam drag scene. Charlene holds parts of Charlie that I really admire. She’s confident, she’s quick-witted, she’s glamorous - and that energy translates everywhere from boardrooms to dance floors. It’s a pretty fabulous secret weapon that Charlie brings to the Make it Werk team.
Safiya