Talent naar de Top’s Post

A day of inspiration and growth at the Kick-off of ABN AMRO’s in-house mentoring program! Today, we launched something truly special: ABN AMRO’s in-house mentoring program, created in collaboration with Talent naar de Top, with a dedicated focus on empowering our female colleagues and colleagues from bicultural backgrounds. After months of preparation together with Heena Jethwa and Caroline Pickard, today was finally the day when all our planning came to life. With 130 eager participants (!!!), we spent the day immersing ourselves in inspiration and connection as mentors and mentees met their matches and started to build powerful connections. During this kick-off, we explored meaningful topics: from defining our purpose and guiding principles to understanding the power of bringing your whole, authentic self to work. These ideas lie at the heart of what it means to grow as leaders, both personally and professionally. I had the honor of interviewing Suzanne van Niekerk - de Veld, our CHRO, who shared insights from her own mentoring journey. Her guidance on finding what you’re truly good at and embedding that in your career was invaluable to everyone in the room. I was also grateful to give a keynote myself, where I shared my own story and journey through loss and resilience. I spoke about the importance of facing challenges with empathy and openness, and the power in bringing our unique identities into our work—especially as someone stepping into new spaces in the corporate world. The challenges we encounter shape us, and in facing them, we not only empower ourselves but create paths for others to follow. Danique van Koppenhagen also inspired us with her own story, reminding us that growth often comes from vulnerability, openness, and the courage to show up as ourselves. I’d like to thank my wonderful co-organizers, Caroline Pickard and Heena Jethwa, who have been instrumental in creating this tailored program for our participants and will be on this journey with us for the next year. Thank you as well to Fatima Chohou, Daria Grekova, and Agnies Lobbezoo for your support throughout today (and beyond). And, finally, a huge thank you to all the mentors and mentees for your openness, honesty, and commitment to growth. The energy and connection we shared today make me so excited for the journey ahead. This program isn’t just about passing on knowledge; it’s about transformation—for both the mentors and the mentees. It’s about embracing our differences, supporting each other through challenges, and growing together. Let’s continue this journey of growth and authenticity together! Here’s to the year ahead! 💫