Tuesday September 8th we (Ohpen) announced the acquisition of Davinci to the outside world which catapulted our company into a different league. Ohpen has now doubled to a team of 350 people strong, offices in 4 countries and 30 nationalities.
On the evening before making this news public, we organized an event “Making History Together” for all colleagues (on location and online) in one of the most unusual event locations in the Netherlands, the Theater Hangaar – home of the longest playing and most successful musical of the Netherlands.
I found it important to address the topic of diversity and inclusion during this evening, especially as we are merging two companies. Two companies with a 10+ and 20+ year history in the financial services and technology industry. Typically not your most diverse and inclusive industries. I was hesitant if I should publish this brief speech, but I believe this topic cannot be addressed enough. So here it goes:
Speech
“I realize that Xiomara and I are the only women on stage tonight. But we are not alone. That’s why you see all our female colleagues behind me (and there is still a lot of work to be done).
About 10 years ago, Ohpen acquired the company I worked at. Ohpen back in the day was a male dominated company where everyone had worked together for over 10 years at BinckBank and they were friends, family even. I was the first ‘newbe’ and the second woman to join.
At first, it was challenging to work with such a tight-knit team. But I was determined to bring in a different perspective and look where we are now. And that was not the first time.
21 years ago, at the age of 21 I moved to the south of Egypt for my first managerial role.
On day 1, one of the men in my team said ‘I do not take orders from women’.
He made a conscious decision to not be inclusive. It shocked me.
But I made an effort to understand. To be inclusive of his point of view. And he did as well, after that first day. When I left Egypt he was one of my most valued colleagues.
Without debating his standpoint or mine, I would like to quote Commander Spock from Star Trek (including a creative add on from yours truly):
“Infinite diversity in infinite combinations, symbolizing the elements that create truth, beauty, creativity and tangible results (1).”
Diversity and inclusion is important for me as a person and in my opinion for the growth of this company.
A diverse mix of voices leads to better discussions, decisions, and outcomes for everyone.
It is important to have different perspectives in our company. To truly be a representation of the outside world. To challenge one’s own perspective. To learn, to grow and to exceed expectations. Of each other, of our clients, of their customers. It is all about having the right mentality.
Bringing together 2 companies, with offices in 4 countries and 30 nationalities will take each and every one of us to have an open mind. Bring in your experience, opinions and dare to stand out.
To conclude I would like to share a source of inspiration for me with you, a few of my favorite books. Books on diversity and inclusion not only gender related but also ethnicity, religion, age, high performance teams, winning mentality, cultural backgrounds etc.
Let this day be the starting point from which we are going to write history together. Diverse and inclusive.”
(1) Some examples
