From support to regional leader – One woman’s path, many women’s potential

From juggling work and uni to leading a region

Simone joined the company over 11 years ago, back when it was thriving as Connectis. Starting in a support role while still completing her studies, Simone quickly demonstrated her drive and talent. “During the day, I worked, and at night, I’d write my thesis,” she recalls. 

It wasn’t long before she was entrusted with leading her own team and later took on a dual responsibility in support and sales. “I was given the opportunity to build and lead a team very early on,” she says. “And from there, I got involved in sales, and eventually led both support and sales.”

Her leadership abilities didn’t go unnoticed through two acquisitions, and when Signicat and the Benelux sales teams merged, Simone was entrusted with the significant responsibility of becoming the Country Manager for the Benelux region. “It felt like a big responsibility, but also a natural progression,” she says. 

Today, her role represents a shining example of the career growth opportunities that Signicat fosters for its employees.

Bringing teams together during tough times

Mergers can be messy. Different teams, different cultures, different ways of doing things. But for Simone, the real challenge—and opportunity—was creating unity. “Bringing everyone together after the acquisition was tough, but also incredibly rewarding. It came down to creating space for honest conversations and being clear about expectations,” she recalls.

Signicat’s supportive ecosystem further eased the transition, offering Simone the platform and tools to lead with confidence during such a pivotal period.

The result? A unified team that works as one, moving forward with shared goals. “We really have each other’s backs,” she says. “It’s something I’m genuinely proud of. When people feel heard and respected, they naturally come together.”

Empowering people through trust

Simone’s leadership philosophy is simple: trust, support, and clarity. “I’m not a micromanager,” she says. “I believe people do their best work when they’re trusted and supported.”

Her approach is deeply human. She adapts her style to the person, not the other way around. “Everyone has different needs, and I always try to tune into that. I want to help people shine in their own way.”

Over time, her leadership has become more intuitive and people-focused. Instituting regular one-to-one meetings with her team has allowed her to foster a culture of feedback, clarity, and mutual respect – even with faced with tough calls to make. As she states, “I’m open, honest and clear in my feedback, but I’m not afraid to make tough decisions when I have to.”

Balancing strategy, customers, leading—and Life

As Country Manager, no two days are the same. Simone splits her time between strategy sessions, customer meetings, supporting account managers, and ensuring the team stays aligned and inspired.

Time management is crucial—but so is compassion. “I block time for focused work, and I have regular 1-on-1s with the team,” she explains. “Still, sometimes I need to catch up in the evenings or on weekends. But I try to limit that. My family comes first.”

She’s not aiming for perfection—just balance. And that means giving herself grace when things don’t go exactly as planned.

Owning her strength in a male-dominated industry

In an industry still largely led by men, especially in more senior roles, Simone has learned to navigate leadership with resilience and confidence. “I’ve felt I had to work harder to prove myself as a woman in tech,” she admits. “But preparation and perseverance helped me earn respect. Once you do, that respect can carry even more weight.”

Imposter syndrome? Been there. “In the beginning, I’d look around at older, more experienced (mostly male) colleagues and wonder if I belonged. But over time, I learned to trust my own strengths and perspective.”

Today, others turn to her for advice—and that shift, she says, was a powerful one. “I realised that confidence grows through experience. I started trusting my own strengths and now, seeing people come to me for advice is incredibly empowering.”

Advice to future female leaders

To women eyeing tech or leadership roles, Simone’s message is clear: believe in yourself and take up space. “Don’t strive for perfection over progress. Be prepared, be curious, and trust in yourself. You have your unique strengths to offer.” She also stresses the importance of building networks of support. “Connect with other women, share your experiences, and lift each other up. There’s plenty of room for all of us.”

It’s not just a job—It’s building what’s next

Simone’s passion for her work is deeply tied to her experiences at Signicat, where personal and professional growth align with shared successes. “I’ve been part of this journey from the beginning—watching a small company become part of something much bigger. What keeps me going is the shared vision, the constant learning, and the amazing people I get to work with—plus the sense that we’re building something that really matters.”

From answering support tickets to leading a regional team, Simone’s journey is proof that when trust meets opportunity, incredible things happen.

Whether merging teams or delivering innovative solutions, Simone embodies Signicat’s core belief that success comes when people thrive together.