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What has your career been like so far?
I started my career just when COVID hit, leading to a vacancy freeze in the fields I was interested to work in. Thanks to the Alumnia network, I got the opportunity to work as a project manager at ASML until the market would normalize. After seven months at ASML, I took a position as program manager at Vanderlande where I was responsible for all strategic and tactical initiatives for supplying the largest customer. I had great colleagues and got very nice opportunities, but after two years I realized that although it looked great on paper, it did not fulfil me. Therefore I decided to quit and start as a freelancer. Now I help board members of small and mid-size companies to grow their companies, by defining a strategy and optimizing performance in terms of revenue and operations. Besides that, I am working as a day chair, presenter and wedding photographer.

Which course would you add to the IE curriculum to setup students for success?
I have done a masters in Econometrics where we had an operations research course in ‘consultancy’ format, including a sales pitch, project proposal and slide deck delivery. I think such course would add value to the IE curriculum, since it teaches students to translate mathematical and technical models to business practices, and to approach problems and solutions from the perspective of board members and share holders.

What would be your dream job and how do you plan to get there?
I am currently in it! My work as a freelancer offers me intellectual challenges, variety and interesting colleagues. How did I get here? Above all, by taking my feelings seriously and taking the courage to put aside the expectations I believed others had. I started by allowing myself to do what I liked for 12 months – and see if I would be able to earn enough to continue to do so. Within five months I was already earning more than I did in my previous job..

How did a specific project or experience during your career showcase the practical added value of your theoretical knowledge in a real-world business context?
The added value of my theoretical background lies especially in my analytical way of thinking and the understanding of business concepts – from service level optimizations to balance sheets and ERP systems. This has enabled me to understand problems rapidly and to be able to add value in discussions with board members from day one.

What advice would you give current students?
Make your decisions based on your interest and passion instead of what might be wise in terms of your career. I have learnt the hard way that when prioritizing the latter, chances are that you’ve put in a lot of hard work to arrive at a career that won’t fulfil you anyway.

You can change a question, which one would you change and why?
Old question:
What would be your dream job and how do you plan to get there?

New question:
What was your greatest professional setback and how did you deal with it?

Why:
I think that younger generations could use more honest and vulnerable role models, especially in the technical environments where many of us are working.

What has your career been like so far?
After my studies I started at KPMG in Eindhoven as an advisor. I kept on studying on Fridays at TIAS and got my degree in IT audit which felt after learning a little about a lot at University to finally get somewhat of a speciality. Within KPMG I was able to develop both personally as well as professionally and every few years changed my role as well as the clients I was working with. I have had amazing opportunities to work with the smallest and biggest companies in the world as well as with amazing teams. Last year (after 16 years) I left for a new adventure within Accelerant Insurance. A scary and exciting step, a new role in a very different organisation which brings a lot of new energy.

What makes you happy in your work?
I love making sense of complex problems. Translating legislation, risks, ambitions into practical process steps and working in teams to guide and implement those steps. Having a set of projects to work on with a variety of persons to work with brings out the energy and fun in the day.

What was the most important moment in your career and why?
I don’t think that I had specific moments in my career that made the biggest difference, but specific persons. I had incredible mentors, sponsors and team members that inspired me, pushed me and sometimes told me (painfully) the truth. I can easily make a list of persons and what they did or said that changed the way I do my job or look at my career. Being able to work with so many different persons helped me in my personal and professional development.

Generation ‘Z’ is joining the workforce. They are digital natives and it is said they approach work differently and strive for meaningful work and push for sustainability. How do you think will Gen Z change your work?
Working with Gen Z can be very inspiring. Meaningful work is something that drives all generations, but now more than ever we communicate about it to each other. It triggers you to think about what drives you and to be able to explain it to others. Make sure you know how your efforts contribute to the joy you experience in your career.

What is your vision on society and what are you doing to create a better future?
This is a questions people wrote complete books on, so I am not sure I am the best to answer this question in this limited space, but in an attempt to make a start. I believe that everybody contributes to creating a better future and that all small steps are important. If you believe in the contribution you bring to the table (how small it sometimes might seem) you will be able to make a difference.
“Optimism is a strategy for making a better future. Because unless you believe that the future can be better, you are unlikely to step up and take responsibility for making it so.” (Noam Chomsky)

You can change a question, which one would you change and why?
Old question:
What is your vision on society and what are you doing to create a better future?

New question:
How did being an alumni make a difference in your career?

Why:
Having studied in Eindhoven brought me work ethic and a structured way of thinking. Being able to put thoughts and ideas into models that with a simple overview can explain more than 10000