From trainee to Chief HR Officer: how Suzanne forged her path

Where it all began

Suzanne's career at ABN AMRO started in 1996. “I was hired as a management trainee,” she recalls. “Like many people, I wasn't entirely sure what I wanted to do. What I did know, was that I enjoyed working in commercial roles.” She never imagined staying this long, but it doesn’t feel to Suzanne as if she’s been with the same organisation for a long time. “Today’s ABN AMRO is nothing like it was back then. So much has changed, and it’s been a very eventful journey for me.”

Transformation and growth

Over almost three decades, she’s worked in five different offices and held more than ten positions. “The organisation has helped me to grow in so many ways, which is why I’m so loyal. A great example is my transition from commercial activities to HR. It was an unusual move, but they trusted me completely. That was in 2004. Things happened fast after that. I went from Talent Manager to HR Manager in various domains at the bank, and then to HR Director at Commercial Clients. Eventually I became manager of all HR directors at the bank – both in the Netherlands and internationally.”

More than a good working environment

Since December 2022, Suzanne has held the role of ABN AMRO’s Chief Human Resources Officer. “Through HR, I now help the bank put its strategy into practice. My aim is to make ABN AMRO an even better place to work. At the social level, we create and implement policy on aspects such as inclusivity, a better collective labour agreement, and creating opportunities for people with refugee backgrounds.”

Accept, adapt, move forward

Suzanne knows better than anyone that growth isn’t always an upwards line. “It’s full of ups and downs. Fortunately, there are often more opportunities than you think. But you have to be willing to invest – even if there’s no immediate financial reward. I’ve made career choices that didn’t earn me a penny more but gave me invaluable new experiences.”

“It’s also important to consider what suits your stage of life. When I was pregnant with twins, I knew I would have to take a step back – and that was okay. Back then, colleagues would still ask if you were planning to come back to work at all after maternity leave. Thankfully, that has changed. There was never any doubt I’d come back. But I also accepted that I’d have to divide my attention more after the arrival of our daughters. I made it clear to my husband from the start: ‘I’ll still be working full-time.’ Together, we found a parenting balance that works.”

Don’t hesitate to ask for help

“I want to show my daughters that you can be a good mother and have a career. Of course, I’ve had moments of doubt – wondering if I was falling short as a mother or in my job. Balancing two full-time roles isn’t easy. Sometimes it meant missing a school activity for a meeting, and vice versa. Thankfully, colleagues have always been understanding, and I’m not afraid to ask for help. That’s made all the difference. You simply can’t do it all alone.”

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