Ophelie
Meet Ophélie, a social experience designer, facilitator, and the founder of Table 7—a project dedicated to fostering connections between people who might otherwise never meet. Originally from France, she has traveled and worked across the globe, but it’s in Amsterdam where she’s built a community that reflects her love for human connection, creativity, and purpose. Let’s delve into Ophélie’s journey and see how she has become an "architect of human connection," using her skills to help people come together in meaningful ways.
Ophélie, I love the origin of your name—it means "to help and to save", right? Does that say something about you?
It's funny you mention that because when I was younger, I used to think it was my job to save everyone. I felt like I had to be a sort of "savior," as a kid I used to give my toys to kids in the park, my dad thought I’d become a nun—haha. But I’ve realized over time that it’s not healthy to carry that expectation. Nowadays, I focus more on nurturing people and offering care in a more grounded way. My way of helping is simply asking, "How can I help you?" rather than projecting what I think they need. Sometimes it’s about listening, sometimes it's helping with practical things—like moving house—and sometimes it's supporting a team in my professional work. The key is to really listen, not just jump in with what you think is best.Is that a mindset that came naturally to you? Or was it something you had to learn over time?
Definitely not naturally no, haha. I come from a family full of loud, conflicting personalities. Growing up, I was much more reactive—warm-blooded, you could say. There was a lot of shouting, a lot of big emotions. It wasn’t until I started doing facilitation work and group training that I learned how to relate to people in a more constructive way. It was almost like therapy for me. I learned how to better respect the boundaries between what’s mine and what’s theirs, and how to build meaningful connections without losing myself in the process.
You mentioned facilitation work. How did you get into that field?
When I moved to the Netherlands, I sought out opportunities to contribute to society. I volunteered with Forward Incubator, which helps refugees start businesses here. That experience was transformative for me because it wasn’t just about giving advice—it was about empowering others to reclaim agency over their journey. I was quite young, only 24, and initially thought, "Who is going to listen to me?" But half of the entrepreneurs wanted to work with me! That taught me that helping isn’t about your age or expertise—it’s about presence, empathy, and being willing to support others in ways that matter to them.Now you have your own initiative, Table 7. What inspired you to start it?
Well, I wanted to create something in Amsterdam that brings people together, particularly in a city where it’s easy to feel disconnected. Table 7 started because I missed the sense of gathering around a table, like we used to do in France. I wanted to bring strangers from the same neighborhood together—not to network, but to connect on a human level. We set the table creatively, we share stories, and we even do fun things like tarot readings. One time, a Dutch granny was hilariously venting about her best friend, and it was such a beautiful moment of vulnerability and humor. It's really about breaking through social and economic bubbles and just being with each other. We live next to each other, but how often do we truly see one another?
It seems like a lot of your work is about fighting against disconnection. Is that something you’re personally passionate about?
Absolutely. I think a lot of the disconnection we feel in society comes from this polarization—whether it’s political or cultural. And I’ve felt that disconnection myself, from my family or from not quite fitting into the environments I grew up in. I’ve always been drawn to people who are on the outside, like myself. When I was younger, I’d hang out with the misfits at school—people who didn’t fit into the mainstream, and I felt that pull towards repairing those broken connections. It’s something I’ve carried with me throughout my life, and why I focus so much on creating spaces for connection now. I also work with Mischief Makers, an agency I’ve been working with for the past few years, and honestly, they’ve become like family to me. We’re all freelancers, but we collaborate on different projects together. It’s such a supportive group, which is great because freelancing can sometimes feel a bit lonely. But with them, it’s not just about work—these are my close friends. We share the same values and have so much fun working together, which makes the experience so much more rewarding.With all these projects, from Table 7 to your work with Mischief Makers, where do you want to go next?
I feel really good about where I am now. Turning 30 this year was a moment of clarity for me. I’ve gone through a lot of personal growth in the past few years—stepping out of heteronormativity, navigating ADHD, going through a breakup, brutally losing a life long friend—and now I feel more aligned with who I am. I’m excited to explore more social design work and to focus on creating new narratives around connection. My next move is actually starting a podcast around these themes—how we can create a culture of connection in a world that sometimes feels so divided. I’ve started sharing my words over storytelling events and the magic of shared stories and intimacy in conversations is what’s bringing me to my next move."Helping isn’t about your age or expertise—it’s about presence, empathy, and being willing to support others in ways that matter to them."
