HI OLIVIA, CAN YOU TELL OUR READERS A BIT ABOUT YOURSELF?

Hi, I’m Olivia! When I am not working with my teams, I love to bake, boulder, and travel around the world. I live with my boyfriend and two kitties in Eindhoven.

WHAT SPARKED YOUR INTEREST IN THE IT FIELD?

I’ve always been curious about how things work. Even as a kid, I loved puzzles and pulling things apart just to figure out how to put them back together. That natural curiosity eventually led me to study computer science. But for me, it was never just about the technical aspect. It was more about the craft of it, the puzzle behind the program.

IT is constantly evolving, and that’s what really drew me in. You’re never standing still in this field; there’s always something new just around the corner. That kind of momentum suits me perfectly.

WAS THERE SOMEONE WHO INFLUENCED YOUR CAREER DIRECTION?

Yes, absolutely! I had a former colleague in Switzerland who really helped shape my career path. She encouraged me to look beyond the surface and figure out what I actually wanted from my job…not just in tech, but in life. She was like a big sister to me. That support gave me the confidence to pursue opportunities that were a better fit for who I am.

HOW DID YOU END UP WORKING AT ESSENT?

To be honest, the first thing that caught my eye was the magenta branding—very appealing! But the more I looked into Essent, the more I liked what I saw. The blogs written by employees gave me insight into the culture, and it was clear that people really enjoyed working here.

I was especially drawn to the fact that Essent is playing an active role in the energy transition. That’s something I genuinely care about. On top of that, IT at Essent is evolving to be more agile and adaptive, which meant I could bring in my own ideas and help shape how we work. I wanted to be part of that change, and of course, the good vibes and friendly colleagues sealed the deal.

COULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR CURRENT ROLE AND YOUR PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES?

As a Scrum Master, I’m here to support my team. That means helping them grow, coaching them where needed, and making sure we’re set up to work efficiently. I try to remove roadblocks before they become a major problem, so the team can focus on what they do best.

It’s about building trust, guiding the team through change, and keeping an eye on how we can improve. This is of course done without micromanaging or forcing a one-size-fits-all solution. I see myself as someone who prepares the stage so others can perform their best.

HAS YOUR ROLE EVOLVED SINCE YOU STARTED?

I’ve changed teams since joining, but I’ve always remained in the Scrum Master role. What’s changed more than anything is the level of exposure I’ve had to different programs across Essent. I didn’t expect the company to offer so much variety. One surprising highlight was working on Techlab, a fun and innovative initiative. One of the more creative projects we worked on was to recreate the Essent office in Minecraft. It gave me a chance to combine creativity with technical structure, and it was a great team effort!

WHAT PROJECT OR INITIATIVE ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF?

Helping to set up Techlab with my colleagues is definitely a standout moment. We created something that sparked interest and encouraged others to think differently. But I’m also really proud of how we’ve shaped the teams I work with. Whether it was by bringing in skilled and diverse people or building an environment where everyone feels like they can contribute. I am very proud of how far we have come and all that we have achieved. That’s not something you do alone. It was truly a joint achievement.

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE THE CULTURE WITHIN YOUR TEAM OR DEPARTMENT?

We’re a creative bunch! Everyone is driven and motivated to build good things. They strive for not just technically solid work, but meaningful solutions. We also support each other, especially when things get challenging. I think what keeps us going is our shared sense of purpose and the understanding that we’re better when we collaborate. There’s room for ideas, and people genuinely want to see each other succeed.

WHAT QUALITIES DO YOU THINK ARE MOST IMPORTANT FOR SUCCESS IN YOUR ROLE?

Having a good overview is essential. As a Scrum Master, you need to be able to see the bigger picture and understand how the different moving parts affect one another. But just as important is something I like to call situational awareness. It’s the skill of reading the room, sensing what’s needed in the moment, and responding accordingly. You need to know when to step in, when to step back, and how to respond appropriately to different challenges or milestones.

Another key quality, and one that’s often underestimated, is being a good conversationalist who can build strong working relationships. It’s not just about being approachable or sociable; it’s about listening with intention, asking thoughtful questions, and creating space for open collaboration.

When you do that well, you naturally build a strong network, which in turn becomes a powerful asset. Because real progress often isn’t about having all the answers yourself, but about knowing who to talk to, how to approach them, and when to bring the right people together. The ability to connect the dots, be it between people, departments, or even seemingly unrelated ideas, is what can turn a good plan into lasting impact.

WHAT ARE YOUR GOALS FOR THE NEAR FUTURE?

A big goal for us is to look at how we can reduce energy consumption, both through the way we work and through the products we deliver. It’s about building smarter and more sustainably, not just faster. As for me, I want to continue fostering teams that are autonomous, motivated, and capable of delivering real impact.

WHAT PART OF YOUR JOB BRINGS YOU THE MOST JOY?

Those “aha!” moments. When someone on the team figures something out, overcomes a roadblock, or sees the impact of their work…that’s incredibly rewarding. I love watching people grow in confidence and competence. And of course, the excitement around a successful go-live is always a great feeling!

ARE THERE ANY HABITS OR ROUTINES YOU HAVE ESTABLISHED THAT CONTRIBUTE TO YOUR EFFECTIVENESS?

Yes, writing things down! It might seem simple, but it’s surprisingly underappreciated in today’s office environments. I’m constantly making bullet-point lists to make sure I don’t miss anything important. It helps me stay clear-headed and focused, especially when I’m juggling multiple topics at once. This habit takes only a few minutes, but it can shave off valuable minutes when trying to remember key facts after an important meeting.

CAN YOU SHARE A FUN FACT ABOUT YOURSELF THAT NOT MANY PEOPLE KNOW?

Haha, this is a fun one! When I started learning Dutch, I picked up a copy of Jip and Janneke. I know it’s meant for young children, but it was actually perfect for language learning. The repetition and simple sentence structure made it surprisingly effective. As it caters to a younger audience, the topics were also contextually easy to follow. It was a fun and humble way to start, and thanks to it, I went van nul naar iets!

ARE THERE ANY MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT YOUR ROLE YOU'D LIKE TO CLEAR UP?

Oh, definitely. A lot of people think Scrum Masters are basically team secretaries. That we book meetings, take notes, and handle admin. That’s definitely not the case. Our job is to support the team’s development and effectiveness.

A good Scrum Master creates clarity and structure without micromanaging. We help remove obstacles, foster collaboration, and empower the team to grow more autonomous and aligned over time. In theory, if everything’s running smoothly, the team could eventually function without us.

But let’s be honest…when was the last time anything went exactly by the book?

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE YOUR YOUNGER SELF JUST STARTING OUT?

Trust yourself. You can do hard things. It’s okay not to have all the answers from day one. No one does. What matters is staying curious, being open to feedback, and remembering that growth comes from trying, failing, adjusting, and trying again.

The most important thing I would want to tell my younger self is to not be afraid to take up space in the world. Your ideas, your perspective, your voice have value, even if you’re just starting out. Confidence doesn’t mean always having the answer to everything; it means showing up, asking questions, and allowing yourself to be seen as a work in progress. And that’s more than enough.

A heartfelt thanks to Olivia for sharing her story and perspective with us!