Ms. J.A.M. Hilgersom (1954) studied economics at the University of Amsterdam. She worked at the Ministries of Finance and Welfare, Health and Culture and was director of the department of Social Affairs and Employment Projects of The Hague.

Since January 1, 2004, Ms. Hilgersom works at the Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment, at first in the position of Director-General Working Conditions and Social Insurance and from 1 January 2009 as Director-General Participation and Income Guarantee.

She is responsible for policies on employment participation and income protection. This includes the development of an active and sustainable system of rights and obligations in social insurance and services and the policies for people with and without benefit to participate in paid employment.