Projects
and People

This November marks Charlotte van Thienen’s 15-year anniversary at Accenture. Having started as a fresh-faced graduate, she gradually climbed the corporate ladder to arrive in the position she holds today: that of HR Director. “Whenever I started getting a little restless, a new challenge or role would arise within the company. When your employer continuously offers you opportunities to learn new things and challenge yourself, there’s no need to look anywhere else.”

Since moving to Amsterdam in 2018, Russian Irina Kononova found that she could finally be open and honest about who she is. Life couldn’t have been more different in her home country, where she had to hide a key part of her identity. ‘I was always afraid that if I told people that I’m gay, they wouldn’t want to be my friend anymore. Living in Europe – first in Glasgow, and in Amsterdam – has been truly liberating. Now I can finally be myself.’

Laura van der Hurk has a natural interest in getting to know people, has worked in a refugee camp in Lesbos and is convinced that art can have an impact on diversity.

Senior Manager Javier Leonor mentions that his personal approach is what sets him apart from other managers."Being able to completely be myself and make jokes is something I am very grateful for."

Preparing the perfect meal correlates with Max Smidt's job as Marketing & Communications Manager. 'It’s about finding the best ingredients and ensuring they come together at the right place, at the right time.’

lham El Khayari never really understood what HR was all about. Now, as a Senior Learning & Talent Development Advisor Benelux, she has followed in her mom's footsteps.