M.Sc. Business Economics, Erasmus University;
MBA, INSEAD
My first thought when I started at McKinsey: I thought McKinsey was so famous—they would already know all the answers so why would they need me? It turned out the other way around: The team I joined was working in the Dutch water sector. They made me fully responsible for my own part of the project and urged me to go deep into the facts. Besides, they were interested in my opinion. For years I got calls because I had become a “water expert”
Proudest moment: The opening of the Indian School of Business (ISB) in Hyderabad, India. McKinsey people had been at the core of this initiative and teams were working on it for many years. I joined the team 100 days before the opening. When the lamp was lit to declare the opening of the school, faculty and students were very emotional. I was so proud!
Strangest place I ever had breakfast while at McKinsey: The Wadi Rum desert in Jordan, with 200 colleagues doing ta chi at sun rise at an office retreat and afterwards having tea for breakfast
What next? One day I would like to study again and obtain my Ph.D. Ultimately I would love to work as the president of a university
Favorite website: fastcompany.com
My toughest day/moment: After 2 great years living and working in McKinsey’s Kuala Lumpur and other Southeast Asia offices, I decided to come back to the Netherlands with my family. Still the best decision at that time, but it was also tough to leave many friends—colleagues and clients—and a fascinating continent behind
Outside McKinsey activities: Playing field hockey and Leica black and white photography