My story goes back to my early youth. From a very young age, I was always fascinated by anything technical. While most kids played outside, I spent my time tinkering with old electronics—like TVs and radios—taking them apart for parts or trying to fix them if they were broken. Back then, commercial computers weren’t readily available, so I had to satisfy my curiosity by working with whatever I could get my hands on.
In primary school, I underperformed compared to my classmates and even had to repeat a year. Yet, I quickly became known as “the tech kid” who could fix almost anything. It made perfect sense that after primary school, I went on to Lagere Technische School (LTS), which is a secondary technical school. There, I continued developing my interest in electrical engineering—figuring out how things worked and solving technical problems.
Finding My Way in IT
Eventually, I dropped out of that path, and somehow ended up finding real success in IT. As Steve Jobs famously said:
“You can’t connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backward. You have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future.”
That quote resonates with me because it explains how my passion and career path fell into place over time. After finishing LTS, I enrolled in a company training program at a large electrical engineering firm. However, after a few years, I felt stuck and realized I needed more in-depth technical challenges.
So, I went back to school to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in Electronics at a private institution in the Netherlands. During my studies, I started using computers to design electronic circuit boards and became fascinated by the possibilities of computing. This newfound excitement led me to leave school and take my first job in IT. The company offered me further education through its training academy, which I completed and solidified my path in the tech world.
Seeking Greater Impact
Over time, I noticed that much of the work I did—and the work of those around me—didn’t always contribute meaningful value. Colleagues often did tasks simply because those tasks were assigned, not because they had a clear impact on the business or the end user. I wanted to do more than just be a number in a large organization; I wanted to make a real difference.
I was always inspired by the great leaders at each company—people who would get on stage and share their vision, leaving a deep impression on everyone. At Nike, for instance, which is known for its inspiring work culture, I saw how passion can truly drive success. In 2018, when cloud computing became a key strategy at Nike, I seized the opportunity to make a breakthrough in my IT career. With all my energy and enthusiasm, I introduced cloud computing to the DevOps team I was leading.
The Catalyst
What was the catalyst behind my passion? I realized I could make a real impact on a company’s results by leveraging technology to improve outcomes. After my time at Nike, I worked with multiple companies—from startups and scale-ups to large international organizations. I noticed that many DevOps teams focus heavily on technical implementation, with far less emphasis on delivering true business value. If you ask an engineer why they do what they do, you usually get an answer related to how it works, rather than why it matters.
That observation has fueled my drive to emphasize meaningful impact over mere technical accomplishments. My journey—starting from tinkering with old electronics to leading cloud initiatives—shows how passions can evolve when you trust your instincts, connect the dots in hindsight, and keep an eye on what truly creates value.
That’s how my passion for technology and IT began: by exploring the inner workings of electronics, strengthening my skills through both formal education and real-world experience, and ultimately realizing that true success lies in bringing genuine value to people and businesses alike.