Athmos comes from what organizations dare to ignore: the fields of tension that people prefer to avoid and human potential that is deeply buried. Structure, strategy and technology are necessary but insufficient. Culture, collaboration and systemic dynamics are crucial, but often untapped. Willem and Christophe join forces to make that invisible playing field and unused capital visible and employable — not as a “soft skill”, but as a strategic lever for sharper choices, supported decision-making and sustainable profitability.
Christophe Kempkes brings together more than 25 years of experience in consultancy, banking and systems thinking, coupled with a strong focus on human development. From that mix, he founded Athmos: an organization that makes relational potential visible and workable as a lever for the sustainable growth of people and organizations.
After a career at EY and Belfius in corporate, public and private finance, he focused on how people really work together within organizations. Why do well-intentioned strategies get stuck in relational friction or collective inertia? This quest led him to systems thinking, where he was active as a researcher and facilitator for years. From that background, he supervised complex change processes with governments, companies and social alliances.
Christophe's approach combines practical experience with systemic reflection. As co-author of the international book Stories of Collective Leadership in Action (2025), he linked his personal leadership story to collective development processes in organizations. His international education (including at the International Futures Forum and the East Side Institute) underlines his commitment to deep learning and to collaborations that are valuable and forward-looking.
At Athmos, he focuses on what organizations often leave untouched: the force field of relationships, beliefs and layers of meaning that can strengthen or undermine cooperation. With a critical and open attitude, he helps teams speak the language of their undercurrent and take responsibility for the culture they shape together.
Christophe is married to Anneleen and the father of 4 sons and 1 daughter.
2024 — RSD13 Symposium — Systemic Mergers & Acquisitions
Co-facilitation of an international workshop on systemic remembrance of mergers and acquisitions. Focus on relational integration, shared strategic direction and cultural due diligence as a lever for sustainable cooperation.
2024 — We Are Health
Supervision of stakeholder workshops, strategy development and team coaching within a scientific consortium of health institutions that is working on an integrated ecosystem for health data.
2023 — Just Transition Forum
Facilitation from round table discussions with stakeholders commissioned by the cabinet of the Federal Minister for Climate, Environment and Sustainable Development.
2023 — Capacity Building Project
Team coach and learning counselor for collaborative development between VDAB, VVSG and Europa WSE around partnership building and learning ecosystems.
2021 — JP Morgan Chase & Resolution Foundation
Co-author of the Shock Absorbers report on innovative approaches to household finance after COVID-19, with a focus on systems innovation in France, Germany and the United Kingdom.
Willem is a strategic advisor and entrepreneur with a keen insight into what really gets organizations moving. As founder of Thenable, he guides SMEs in achieving sustainable growth, linking strategy to execution power. His approach is always pragmatic, but deeply rooted in analysis, structure and informed decision making.
With a strong focus on strategy, organization and business development — and years of experience in change management and digital transformation — Willem knows how to quickly unravel complex issues and translate them into concrete processes with measurable impact. His unique Road‑To‑Action approach makes it possible to guide, set priorities and at the same time actually achieve what is strategically necessary.
Focus on the undercurrent
Willem believes that the true strength of an organization lies not only in structures and processes, but in the undercurrent: the culture, the informal dynamics, the shared belief in direction and values. By consciously working with that undercurrent, he helps build organizations that not only become more efficient, but also more resilient, sustainable and more attractive for customers, employees and stakeholders.
According to Willem, this integrated approach — where hard and soft factors come together — forms the basis for long-term profitability and sustainable value creation.
Driven by results, anchored in reality
Willem does not work remotely or from theory. He stands beside his customers, thinks along and participates. As a sounding board, accelerator and sparring partner, he challenges companies to choose, accelerate while strengthening their fundamentals. Together with his team of experts, he builds organizations that are ready for tomorrow — without losing sight of today's reality.
Passion for AI and Innovation
In addition to his focus on strategy and organization, Willem has a strong passion for the possibilities of artificial intelligence. He sees AI not as hype, but as a powerful catalyst for accelerating processes, improving decisions and unlocking new forms of value creation. From that vision, he helps companies use AI responsibly and strategically — always with an eye for people and the undercurrent within the organization.
