Gwen van Heijst is a Senior Management Consultant at ConQuaestor. What makes her work special? The combination of making an impact on the CFO agenda and working with and for people. "At first I thought: is the CFO agenda something for me? But now I know better. Because this is all about transformation, not just about numbers."
After completing her bachelor's and master's degree in Business Administration at VU University, with a focus on Leadership & Change Management, Gwen started her career at Deloitte. "A great learning opportunity, where I specialized in process optimization and helped set up the Centre for Process Bionics. As a community lead, I learned how to get something off the ground in a large organization: with content, support and perseverance."
Yet, in time, she missed something: more direction, more space to undertake. When a ConQuaestor recruiter approached her, she hesitated. "At the time, I associated finance primarily with numbers and spreadsheets. And I specifically wanted more attention to the people side of change."
Until she started talking to Sjors, one of the partners. "That was the turning point. At ConQuaestor, the focus is on real transformation. From strategy to execution. And here the human aspect is central. That's exactly where my strength lies: getting people moving."
Careful guidance to Cashless Payments
One project Gwen looks back on with pride is guiding an organization to completely cashless payments. Not an easy task, especially since previous attempts had failed. "We really went into depth first. Why are people still paying with cash? Who are involved? What are the obstacles?"
Gwen and her team held discussions with the entire chain: from financial administration to external partners. "Because we proceeded so carefully, there was broad support for our solution. And we got the confidence to implement it ourselves. That combination of analysis, advice and implementation is what makes our work so powerful."
Freedom, trust and responsibility
What does Gwen value most about her work at ConQuaestor? The freedom to grow and the confidence she experiences. "Do you want to learn or pick up something? Then there is room for that. If you show what you have to offer, the opportunities will follow. And you are never alone. We take initiative, seize opportunities and know we can count on our colleagues. That gives freedom and security."
In addition to her client projects, Gwen is actively involved in training new consultants through the Young Executive Program (YEP).. "That is perhaps the best part of my job. Guiding startups, training them and seeing them grow gives enormous energy."
Who is this work for?
"If you like dynamism, responsibility and variety, you're in the right place here," says Gwen. "The entrepreneurship within ConQuaestor allows you to really make a difference. That finance is about more than numbers, we prove here every day, with impact, insight and an eye for people."
