Photographer: Carly Wollaert ©
Make-up artist: Sharmila Vooren
ADYEN
“As a tech company, it is our ambition to drive change in the industry and increase representation. We want to use our authentic voice in the gender equality movement. We believe that by participating in this campaign, permanent change for more diversity, equity & inclusion in tech is within our reach.”
Nikki Van Ommeren
Tech Lead Machine Learning at ADYEN
About
“My name is Nikki van Ommeren, and I am a tech lead machine learning at Adyen. I also hold the position of co-chair for PyData Amsterdam, which is a community dedicated to organizing meetups and conferences on data-related topics. I am passionate about both these roles because they allow me to combine my technical skills with my people skills.
As a child, I was relatively shy and would often turn red when I wanted to speak up. However, over the years, I have learned the importance of expressing myself and standing up for what I believe in. Now, I have also come to enjoy public speaking, which I never thought I would say. Although I sometimes still feel nervous before presentations, the excitement that comes along with it makes it all worth it.”
Why do you think is important that Role Models need to be visible?
“Without fully realizing it, I often seek out strong female leaders who serve as role models for me. For instance, I typically find movies more enjoyable when they feature a powerful female character. Unfortunately, women are still frequently underrepresented in panels, on stage as presenters, and in leadership roles in the tech industry. I strongly desire to see this change, and I believe that the most effective way for me to contribute is by stepping up, even if it is uncomfortable at times.”