How it all began...

René was born in 1968 in the beautiful center of the historic city of Leiden. In his free time René loved to surf and sail across the Kagerplassen. His love for the water and analytical skills led him to study Maritime Technology at Delft University of Technology. René proved to be a diligent student, graduating in 1992 with a Best Study Award, a prestigious recognition for his academic achievements.

In 1992, he met Willemien Griffioen at a student association. Willemien, born in 1972 in Loenen aan de Vecht, studied psychology at Leiden University. In 1994, she earned her degree in personality psychology. Her interest in people and what drives them in their work and lives makes her a true communicator and connector.

René and Willemien married in 1993. Willemien began focusing more on writing for newspapers and magazines, becoming a respected and sought-after name in the Leiden region. René worked primarily for educational institutions such as the Technical University of Haarlem, Leiden University of Applied Sciences, and several high schools. In 2006, he pursued a Master of Education at Leiden University. René's combination of analytical skills, enthusiasm, and clear communication made him a highly sought-after and beloved educator and researcher.

Besides the writing and editing work for various regional publications, Willemien took on the role of editor for the Oegstgeester Courant in 2006, a popular weekly newspaper with a readership of about 20,000.

After working as a freelancer for many years, René and Willemien founded Griffioen Services in 2012. Willemien expanded her writing and communication work to include editorial tasks and contributions to local events and magazines. René began applying his educational and research experience more towards training adults and specific research assignments.

In 2024, Willemien received an honorary medal from the mayor in recognition of her unifying and reliable contributions to the region. She was also nominated by the Leidsch Dagblad as Person of the Year for her exceptional contributions to the local community.

As their work continued to grow, René and Willemien decided in 2025 to further align their efforts and continue under the name Griffioen Media. In addition to Willemien's writing and editorial work and René's familiar educational and research tasks, Griffioen Media also decided to focus on publishing its own news and information. As of 2024, Griffioen Media has traded its 'home office' for a beautiful office in the center of Leiden.