Communications Manager
Patrick Willemsen is the Communications Manager of the Hague Centre for Strategic Studies (HCSS). Since 2019, he has been responsible for all communication, publications, social media and press relations.
At HCSS, Patrick has played a key role in building the institute’s strong public profile, making it a trusted and well-known brand in the media. By managing countless press requests and connecting HCSS analysts and experts to national and international outlets, he ensures HCSS is a go-to source for authoritative commentary on international affairs, security and defence. Under his guidance, HCSS experts are frequently featured on television, radio, in newspapers and online, solidifying the institute’s visibility and credibility.
He also oversees all PR campaigns, publications and digital channels, from social media and newsletters to podcasts and websites. He manages the publication process of HCSS reports and papers, ensuring consistent quality, design and outreach across platforms.
Before joining HCSS, Patrick worked as product and brand manager for sneaker and sportswear company Premium Inc., as freelance social media manager, and as assistant editor at a publishing house in Amsterdam. Earlier, he was project manager at the T.M.C. Asser Institute for International and European Law in The Hague, where he began as a researcher in European Law before moving into the development and organization of educational programs for students and professionals.
A social media enthusiast, sneaker collector and Italophile, Patrick holds a Master’s Degree in European Studies from the University of Amsterdam and a degree in shoe design from the ModaPelle Academy in Milan.
