An Swalens

Can I select three books? “Het Smelt” by Lize Spit, “Tirza” by Arnon Grunberg, and “De Engelenmaker” by Stefan Brijs are my choices. Each of these books is uniquely heart-wrenching, crafted in a style that immerses you from the very first page and leaves you utterly astounded by the end. I greatly respect the ability to pen narratives that linger in memory and provoke deep reflection, even if they do come at the cost of a good night’s sleep.

“It takes courage, initiative and perseverance to change things. Never stop trying.”
This quote resonates deeply with me, underscoring the essential qualities necessary to effect change. Change requires bravery to challenge existing norms, the drive to begin the process, and unwavering determination to continue despite difficulties. The phrase “Never stop trying” highlights the importance of persistence; enduring progress and overcoming obstacles is key to creating meaningful change.

Dancing has always been my passion. I was deeply enamored with ballet, participating in various dance schools and performances. These experiences were a significant part of my life. However, now my dancing is limited to the rare occasions when I find myself at a party.

One passion that I will never let go of is traveling. Traveling satisfies my curiosity and thirst for adventure. I love to explore new locations, encounter different individuals, and gain an understanding of diverse cultures. Even close to home, you can experience the feeling of traveling.Traveling also helps me appreciate the beauty and diversity of our world.

As I contemplate alternative career paths, my thoughts gravitate towards a few intriguing options. Firstly, being a teacher, and not just any teacher, but hopefully a good one. I recognize the immense value and impact of education on our future generations, making this role both noble and essential. Another captivating choice would be that of a detective, delving into complex mysteries and solving important cases, a role that demands keen observation and sharp intellect.

Alternatively, the profession of a lawyer also holds a special appeal, where I could actively engage in defending cases and advocating for justice, playing a pivotal role in the legal system. This path would not only challenge my reasoning and argumentative skills but also align with my sense of moral and ethical responsibility.

And then, on a lighter and more fanciful note, in a completely different realm and perhaps in another life, I can envision myself as an actress. Not just any role, but starring in an incredibly good movie, immersing myself in diverse characters and stories, and experiencing the thrill and creativity of the performing arts.

Spending more time with my children, but at their age it doesn’t fit anymore in their plans 😊. If given the opportunity, I would focus on traveling more extensively, dedicating time to initiate and nurture interesting projects. However, I don’t have one specific dream that dominates these aspirations. I definitely need the feeling of doing useful things and having a positive impact. My interests lie in exploring new places, experiencing different cultures, and the excitement of bringing innovative ideas to life through various projects. This approach reflects a desire for a diverse and enriching life experience rather than a singular, defined goal.

My passion lies in the ability to deliver meaningful results and observe the direct impact of my efforts. This passion translates into a process that begins with building a comprehensive vision and strategy. It's not just about setting lofty goals but about meticulously translating these aspirations into concrete, actionable objectives, initiatives, and projects. This approach demands not only strategic thinking but also a keen understanding of how to turn abstract ideas into reality.

A crucial element of this process is the engagement and motivation of people and teams. I believe in inspiring those around me to contribute their skills and ideas towards our common goals. It's about cultivating an environment where everyone feels valued and understands how their work fits into the larger picture. By doing so, I aim to foster a culture of collaboration and pride in our collective achievements.

Moreover, this passion extends beyond mere project completion. It's about creating a lasting impact and seeing how the fruits of our labor influence the broader context, whether it's within an organization, community, or industry. This holistic view of success – from vision to execution to impact – is what drives and fulfills me in my professional endeavors.

I believe that our system doesn't sufficiently support or challenge individuals in showcasing their talents and experimenting with various endeavors. This environment often leads to a fear of failure, overshadowing the valuable learning experiences that come from trying and sometimes failing. As a result, true ambition is often stifled, constrained by a mindset that is too conservative. This cautious approach can be attributed to the individuals themselves or the cultural and societal norms they are surrounded by. It limits the space for taking risks and exploring new possibilities, which is essential for growth and innovation. In essence, we're not providing enough room for people to stretch their capabilities and fully realize their potential.

One critical aspect of our work involves making choices and setting priorities with limited resources, all while navigating uncertainties in technical and business evolutions. Additionally, there's the challenge of time and investment required for people to adapt to and realize the benefits of new technologies. It can be difficult to accurately assess the true value and advantages of these technological implementations. Lastly, we must constantly strike a balance between adhering to regulations and avoiding risks, versus the need to rapidly innovate. Each of these elements plays a pivotal role in how we approach and manage technology in our evolving business landscape.

Throughout my career, I've consistently displayed a dynamic and committed approach in all my roles. My focus has always been on delivering effective solutions and aiding in the achievement of goals. I make a conscious effort to actively engage, or "lean in," by offering ideas, proposing solutions, and being a critical yet constructive voice. This proactive stance is fundamental to my professional ethos, as I believe in being an active contributor and a positive force in driving progress and success in any team or project I'm involved with.

From a personal standpoint, my approach is to constantly seek opportunities through a blend of curiosity and critical thinking, coupled with an unwavering commitment to lifelong learning. This mindset allows me to continuously evolve and adapt in an ever-changing landscape, turning challenges into learning experiences.

When it comes to teams and organizations, my focus shifts towards fostering constructive collaboration. I believe in the power of sharing ideas, knowledge, and efforts, as the complexity of today's world makes it increasingly difficult to achieve significant progress alone. By encouraging teamwork and open exchange, we can collectively navigate complexities more effectively.

On a broader scale, I advocate for substantial investment in technology and education. This stance stems from the belief that, even though the short-term business case for such investments might not always be immediately apparent, they are crucial for acquiring knowledge and maintaining long-term relevance. In an era where technological advancements and educational empowerment are key drivers of progress, these investments are essential not just for individual growth but also for the sustained success and adaptability of organizations in the global landscape.

What does a central bank do?

Grasping monetary policy and various business objectives is complex, yet it presents a significant challenge in IT to comprehend and provide effective technological support and solutions. Additionally, I often face inquiries about my major challenges, such as staying current in a rapidly changing environment and making tough decisions.

When my children were young, I often heard “ how do you combine your job with children”, or worse “how sad for the children that you're working so hard..”

Collaborating with a multitude of talented individuals and consistently embarking on new learning experiences keeps my professional journey far from mundane. Working alongside such brilliant minds ensures that every day is an exciting opportunity for growth and innovation. It is never boring!

For young women embarking on a career in technology, my key advice would be this: Embrace exploration and self-discovery in your journey. Delve into various areas, seizing opportunities to broaden your knowledge. This process of exploration is crucial in identifying not only your strengths but also areas where you might need improvement. Don't hesitate to seek guidance or advice; let these insights fuel your growth rather than deter you. Don't let negative people stop you. In difficult moments, remember that you learn a lot in life from difficult moments. Have fun and be proud on what you do. Foster connections with others to create a sense of community and avoid feelings of isolation.

If you have children. enjoy all moments with them, and don't doubt too much whether you are doing it right.

I'm very open and direct. I'm afraid I'm also quite demanding, as I'm always passionate to improve what we do. I actively support, assist, and motivate my team, believing strongly in the strength of a diverse group with complementary skills and talents, enriching our collective potential and success.

Receiving open and critical feedback has been instrumental in my leadership growth. This openness to challenge broadens my perspective, allowing me to understand diverse viewpoints and contexts, regardless of who might be right or wrong. Moreover, earning trust, particularly during challenging times, has been pivotal in my development as a leader.

By demonstrating my commitment to involving the team in our goals and plans, and explaining the 'why' behind what we do, I foster a collaborative environment. Giving them responsibility, autonomy, and empowerment, and steadfastly defending our goals, helps in building a strong, committed team. Furthermore, by offering support and remaining authentic, mutual trust naturally develops over time.

You always learn a lot when entering a new sector, and right now that sector is central banks and financial, and comparing the various challenges with other sectors. In our IT team, we're learning about new data methodologies, AI, generative AI, and cybersecurity is crucial for evolving our IT capabilities, ensuring they remain relevant and useful to our business in a rapidly changing world. Additionally, I focus on understanding various operating models, nurturing an evolving culture, successfully integrating new generations, and motivating people to engage in continuous learning and resilience in an increasingly uncertain world. Furthermore, I believe investing in enhanced communication and understanding different viewpoints is essential in a polarizing world. Hopefully, implementing these practices on a smaller scale within our team can contribute to broader positive changes.

Technologies that enhance digital collaboration and enable rapid automation, particularly those related to artificial intelligence and data and security are key. Data acquisition, analysis, and sharing are vital, especially as they provide essential insights for financial forecasting, reporting, and oversight. Underpinning these are numerous technology layers, such as those making infrastructure and data centers more sustainable.

At its highest level, technology serves as a means to bring value to society and individuals. It aids people in various aspects of their lives, such as work, health, and more. Given that technology is a rapidly evolving and innovative domain, it consistently opens new opportunities and provides solutions to emerging challenges, like climate change. However, introducing new technology also brings significant changes and potential downsides. Therefore, it's crucial to address temporary challenges and dangers, such as over-reliance on technology, and ethical concerns in AI, among others.

I believe that, on the one hand, the field of AI will continue to evolve and significantly contribute to positive changes in productivity, provided we maintain a good balance and heavily invest in enhancing people's knowledge and critical thinking skills. On the other hand, I see numerous opportunities in technologies that are focused on improving sustainability, offering innovative solutions in this crucial area.

I can't single out one specific invention; I believe it's the combination of numerous innovations and developments that collectively make a significant difference.

The benefits of technology, like advancements in healthcare, mobility, communication, and reducing poverty, are too important to stop technology investments.. There are risks and dangers, so we need to learn and make well use of technology and address negative aspects however, it's not wise to stop pursuing innovative opportunities.

I regularly read articles and information, attend conferences, and engage in discussions with experts to quickly gain insights from their knowledge. However, as a generalist, I am not a deep expert in technology itself.

I mainly use technology for practical purposes like staying updated through news sites, managing tasks with online administration, shopping online, and gathering travel tips. My approach is very pragmatic.

My smartphone is my favorite technology product. It consolidates all my essential information, communication, and administration, saving me considerable time. Plus, it has helped me capture numerous precious photo memories. Conversely, I'm not fond of gadgets that are more complicated to understand than they are beneficial. Also, I prefer not to use sports watches; I like to rely on my own sense of performance rather than confronting the hard, sometimes disappointing, facts through measurements.

The combination of talent, values, emotions, thinking, behavior, and all the experiences and environmental factors that influence these aspects.

Success is a blend of talent, willpower, luck, and coincidence, and it's also a very relative concept. This is why I believe in the importance of remaining humble and surrounding oneself with people who dare to offer criticism and perspective. Acknowledging the diversity of other people, opinions, and talents is crucial. The same principle applies to values and morality; understanding that there isn't just one 'truth' or moral standard, but rather these are subjective and personal.

The body significantly impacts the mind, presenting both opportunities and limitations, like influencing illness and self-esteem. Conversely, our perceptions of our bodies are shaped by our mindset. We often don't realize how this interplay affects our self-perception and how we view others.