Start Female IT Leaders Network

On July 7 a group of Female IT Leaders gathered at the venue Mereveld in Utrecht for the kick-off of the Female IT Leaders Network (#FILN) of CIO Platform Nederland. 

Initiators Eva Jongmans, manager Development and Management at ONVZ, Claudia de Andrade - de Wit, CIO Port of Rotterdam and board member CIO Platform Nederland and Rikky van Osch, Adviescollege ICT-toetsing, board member CIO Platform Nederland discussed their ambitions, role models, challenges, growth & development and what women add to leadership teams. Meeting each other, connecting and helping each other was the central theme. 

Claudia welcomed the participants and used the concept of the Dutch program summer guests (Zomergasten) to start the meeting with a couple of themes: 

Grab your window of opportunity!
The first topic of conversation was future planning. Many younger women are already planning their future far ahead, at the same time there are many women who ended up in IT more or less by chance. During the meeting it was emphasized to take chances and not to be too reserved or modest. Go for what is possible and what you like. It turns out that a large number of the women present ended up in IT from a different educational background. 

"Grey-men-network"
The small number of women in leadership positions in IT is also discussed. The Netherlands continues to lag behind in this respect. Causes that are discussed include early choice for part-time work and also the feeling that there is still a "grey-men-network". 

Some attendees share that it is still tough to combine children and a full-time job, not least because of the reactions in the environment. It was a surprise to others that this still plays such a big role. 

Role model: 'You cannot be what you cannot see'.
The importance of a role model was an essential part of the session. Having/being a role model is important, both early in education and later in one's professional career. It is also used as a way to show that you do not have to choose between children and career.

More diversity in IT leadership
With the group we explored how we can achieve more diversity in IT leadership. One of the ideas is to increase interaction and exchange with male role models by involving women more explicitly in the meetings of the CIO Platform Nederland. 

Ask for help
The differences between women and men are also discussed. It became clear that women are more willing to take a vulnerable position and ask for help than men. The participants appreciate the fact that taking a vulnerable position and asking for help is increasingly appreciated and seen as a strength in leadership. 

Social contribution
After the plenary part, there were discussions in smaller groups about themes for the future and how we can make a social contribution from this network and CIO Platform Nederland. These themes will be discussed during follow-up sessions. The meeting was considered as very useful and fun, and it was acknowledged that networking without a specific goal is very valuable. 

The next meeting is scheduled for October 28th 2021. Female IT leaders employed at our member organisations are welcome to attend. You can register via buraeu@cio-platform.nl.