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Career & Experience

Global Data & AI Governance Leader

Building Scalable Data Foundations Across 17 Brands, US & Europe

📍 Netherlands
🔗 LinkedIn

What I Do

I build enterprise data and AI foundations in complex global organizations, turning fragmented data landscapes into scalable, governed assets that drive real business value.

Currently, I lead global Data & AI Governance at Ahold Delhaize, spanning 17 brands across 9 countries in the US and Europe. My work sits at the intersection of business strategy, technical architecture, and regulatory reality. I focus on governance that unlocks rather than blocks: enabling teams to move fast on data and AI initiatives while ensuring risks are managed in ways that work for the business.

I'm known for translating complex technical and regulatory topics into clear, actionable strategies, bridging the gap between business leaders, legal teams, and technologists. Whether it's EU AI Act readiness, enterprise data quality, or scaling analytics across regions, I bring both vision and hands-on execution.

My leadership model combines formal accountability with non-hierarchical influence. I chair enterprise Data & AI councils, support ExCo and Board-level decisions, and work directly with brand-level C-suite leaders, all through a lean central team that drives outcomes through alignment, not authority.

Career Highlights

Ahold Delhaize — Director, Data & AI Governance (Global)

2021 – Present

  • Established enterprise-wide data management governance across 17 brands, creating a scalable foundation for cross-banner analytics and AI
  • Defined enterprise AI policy designed to "get to a yes", accelerating value creation while ensuring appropriate risk mitigation
  • Led EU AI Act preparedness, embedding AI risk management into existing business processes rather than creating parallel structures
  • Drove group-wide tooling decisions (data catalog, data quality monitoring), reducing duplication and enabling consistent practices across regions
  • Chair enterprise Data & AI Advisory and Council forums, influencing decisions across multiple senior leadership layers

Albert Heijn — Analytics, Data Science & Experimentation Leadership

2015 – 2021 (6 years)

  • Built and scaled analytics and data science capabilities: recommender systems, demand forecasting, product relevance scoring
  • Uncovered a hidden algorithm flaw undetected for years, fixing it reduced out-of-stocks by over 20%
  • Scaled experimentation from 1 to 40+ tests per month using frequentist and Bayesian methods
  • Bridged business, legal, and tech teams on data privacy and governance compliance
  • Designed privacy-conscious data processes that shaped the organization's analytics strategy

OrangeValley — Senior Managing Consultant

2009 – 2015 (6 years)

  • Led consulting teams advising major brands (finance, telecom, e-commerce, consumer goods) on data strategy, measurement, and optimization
  • Guided a client's transformation from B2B-only to hybrid B2B/B2C go-to-market model
  • Built structured analytics and experimentation frameworks that elevated client maturity and ROI

Earlier: Consulting & Entrepreneurial Roles

2004 – 2009

  • Hands-on consulting in web analytics, conversion optimization, and data-driven marketing
  • Early focus on the intersection of data, technology, and legal/privacy considerations in digital marketing
  • Founded and led multiple ventures in digital strategy, content development, and online community building (Conceptkings, NulVier.Communicatie, Facebookblog.nl, AboutDJ.nl)
  • Contributed to industry publications (Webanalisten.nl, Lifehacking.nl) with work featured in books and on Nu.nl

Advisory & Industry Engagement

Amsterdam Economic Board — Data Commons Advisory
2023 – 2025
Advisor representing Ahold Delhaize in multi-stakeholder initiatives on data sharing for public good, designing governance and trust models aligned with public values.

Emerce — Speaker & Author
2012 – 2020
Thought leadership on analytics and experimentation at major industry events.

DDMA — Social Marketing Committee Member
2011 – 2013
Contributed to ethical and measurable practices for the social marketing code in the Netherlands.

Education

Saïd Business School, University of Oxford
Ahold Delhaize Retail Academy — Talent Program (2024)

Ahold Delhaize Talent Program
'The Natural Leap', De Transformatie Groep (2016–2017)

Hogeschool Rotterdam
Bachelor, Communication (2004–2007)

Willem de Kooning Academie
Bachelor, Communication, Multimedia and Design (2002–2004)

Recognition

  • Ahold Delhaize — European Talent and Promising Professional (multiple consecutive years)
  • OrangeValley — First place in Dutch Cookie Legislation Investigation (WUA!)

Languages

  • Dutch (Native)
  • English (Professional)
  • German (Working)