I joined KPMG Digital Risk Management in September 2016, shortly after graduating from the University of Antwerp. Like many graduates, I wasn’t entirely sure what “real work life” would look like. While the exact content of my role was still somewhat abstract, one thing was crystal clear: I wanted to work in an environment filled with smart, motivated people and a genuinely welcoming atmosphere.
Fast forward to almost ten years, I can proudly say that I am still here. Still surrounded by driven colleagues. Still learning every day. And now part of a team with an almost perfect 50/50 female-male ratio (times have definitely changed for the better).
Over the past decade, I have had the opportunity to work on a wide variety of projects across sectors: leasing, government, manufacturing, financial services, you name it. Client expectations can be demanding (as they should be), but what makes the difference every single time is our multidisciplinary collaboration. No matter how complex the challenge, there is always someone internally who says, “Don’t worry, we’ve got this.”
A recent example captures this perfectly. We were asked to prepare a major last-minute proposal for a long-standing client in Digital Attestation. While staring at my laptop in the staff room with a mild case of writer’s block, a colleague enthusiastically sat down next to me and said, “Okay, let’s do this. Where do we start?” And that is exactly how things move forward here.
Over the following weeks, multiple teams joined forces:
- our ServiceNow experts, demonstrating how to fully leverage the client’s existing platform;
- the Lighthouse team, bringing automation and AI-enabled testing to life;
- the Digital Attestation team, contributing deep client insight and strong technical content;
- the Internal Markets team, transforming our ideas into a structured and visually compelling story; and
- colleagues from KPMG Germany and KPMG US, supporting specialized matters.
Seeing all these teams align around one shared vision was genuinely inspiring. Together, we shaped a future-ready attestation portfolio. And yes, this includes innovative and trusted AI solutions we are genuinely excited to implement. The client’s enthusiasm matched ours, and we successfully secured the continuation of this long-standing engagement. A future we are actively shaping every single day.
What I appreciate most is that initiative is not only allowed, it is encouraged. If I randomly suggest, “Let’s organize a webinar on DORA,” the only response I will get is: “Let’s do it.” No raised eyebrows. No “maybe next quarter.” Just energy.
And while the work is meaningful and challenging, the culture makes it sustainable. Our Berchem office lives by the motto “work hard, play hard,” with daily foosball tournaments (complete with a self-built scoring app, yes, we are that kind of team), shared coffee breaks, and an on-site gym that allows you to combine workouts with your schedule efficiently. I even allowed a colleague to convince me to register for my first duo HYROX with her. While I am still questioning that decision, training five times a week is significantly easier when your environment supports it. Note to self: next time, ask what it actually involves before saying yes!
Beyond the projects, there is continuous room for growth, whether it is obtaining certifications such as CISA or CRISC, developing new AI use cases, exploring business opportunities linked to DORA, or receiving internal awards like “toughest in-charge” or “ChatGPT of the team” because you care (a lot) about quality. Add to that the opportunity to travel with colleagues who increasingly feel more like friends, sometimes even resulting in very efficient shopping sprees and dinners, and you immediately understand why ten years passed so quickly.
After nearly a decade, I am still thriving here. Not just because of the work, but because the people around me genuinely want each other to succeed and they are not shy about pushing you to be your best self.
So, if you are looking to join a team where ambition meets humor, where collaboration is natural, and where someone will always say “let’s do it,” even if you are not yet 100% sure what you are applying for, Digital Risk Management at KPMG might just be the right place for you.
