About me
From data, through Mendix and front-end, to AI.
I'm Erik van Gorsel, Senior Full-Stack AI+Mx Engineer. I build Mendix applications, interfaces and AI tooling. What I enjoy most is taking a tangled problem and boiling it down to something that simply works.
My story
I didn't come into this through computer science. My background is in business. At the University of Amsterdam I studied Future Planet Studies and Business, then completed a master's in Business Administration. Alongside my studies I worked at the research consultancy Ecorys. I started there collecting data for parking studies, and later led teams of data collectors. As a junior data analyst I then supported mobility research. The main thing it taught me is that good analysis starts with asking the right question. Design wasn't new to me either: I'd already spent years working in InDesign and Illustrator as an editor and webmaster.
In 2023 I moved into software development. Through Linden-IT I got my Mendix certifications in a short space of time and ended up in the Mendix team at ANWB, the Dutch automobile association. I've been on their staff since 2024, building apps for procurement, HR and customers.
“I use AI the way a senior developer uses a team: it speeds the work up, and I stay at the helm.”
When our team's front-end developer left, I took over the styling and taught myself front-end development. Since then, alongside my Mendix work, I've been responsible for the custom styling of every Mendix app the team builds. I also built the entire front-end of apps such as PinkPro, PinkPortal, GoedGeregeld, Laadpas and AllAboard.
Since August 2026 I've also been an AI engineer at ANWB, next to my role as a Mendix developer, and that's where all my attention goes now. I'm building the tooling that teaches AI assistants about ANWB's entire Mendix landscape, so they can give reliable answers with sources, inside fixed guardrails. On the side, I'm building a BI platform for a hotel and hospitality group as a freelancer.
How I work
- 01
Understand.
I start with the question behind the question. Who's going to use it, and what needs to get better?
- 02
Design.
I work out the architecture and the interface and test them before a line of code gets written.
- 03
Build with AI.
AI agents handle the repetitive work. I stay in charge, backed by tests and guardrails.
- 04
Measure and deliver.
I check results against hard numbers and write down what we learned, so the team can take it from there.
What you get
Someone who knows business, data, front-end and AI and can translate between those worlds.
Speed without sloppiness: AI where it helps, control where it matters.
Software that keeps working, because security, tests and documentation are in there from day one.
Experience
Aug 2026 – present
Architect & lead developer (freelance)
Hotel and hospitality group
A BI platform that pulls six source systems together into one secure dashboard.
Aug 2026 – present
AI Engineer (alongside Mendix Developer)
ANWB
I came up with mx-tooling, designed its architecture and build it myself: AI tooling that opens up the entire Mendix landscape to AI assistants, with sources and guardrails.
Apr 2023 – present
Mendix Developer
ANWB
Apps for procurement, HR and customers, plus the custom styling of every Mendix app the team builds. Via Linden-IT until Apr 2024.
Jan 2023 – Apr 2024
Software Engineer
Linden-IT
Trained and certified as a Mendix developer, then seconded to ANWB.
Jun 2022 – Jan 2023
Operations (part-time)
Chauf'heren'
Private chauffeur for an executive of an international automotive group: pick-ups from Schiphol's private terminal and transport to the monthly board meetings and the hotel. It was all about discretion, punctuality and planning.
Jul 2019 – Jun 2022
Junior Data Analyst (previously Data Collection Coordinator, Data Collector)
Ecorys
Started out collecting data for parking studies, went on to lead teams of data collectors and supported mobility research as a junior data analyst.
Aug 2013 – Sep 2020
Editor & webmaster
ChangeVision
Editing, design and running the website.
Education
MSc Business Administration, Management & Operations
University of Amsterdam · 2020 – 2022
BSc Business / Commerce
University of Amsterdam · 2017 – 2020
BSc Future Planet Studies
University of Amsterdam · 2016 – 2020
VWO (pre-university secondary education)
Luzac Lyceum Goes
Certifications
Mendix Advanced Developer
Mendix · Dec 2023
Mendix Intermediate Developer
Mendix · Feb 2023
Mendix Rapid Developer
Mendix · Jan 2023
Professional Scrum Master I
Scrum.org · Jan 2023
Beyond work
At the helm, after hours too.
I've lived in Oudenbosch for two years now, and the past year in particular has brought a lot of change. Our son Nollie was born just over a year ago, and last summer I married Adela. Most evenings you'll find me in the kitchen. Cooking feels a lot like building to me: the recipe is your plan, but the best dishes happen when you're willing to adjust as you go.
When there's wind, I'm out on the water. On a boat you have no say over the wind, only over your sails, and maybe that's where my liking for being at the helm comes from. On the padel court I enjoy a proper competitive match, ideally with a good partner alongside me.
- sailing
- cooking
- padel