photographer: carly wollaert © | make-up artist: violeta marinova from art of colors
samar morshedi
head of recruitment at bunq
about
hi, i’m samar, head of recruitment at bunq, where my team finds exceptional people who build online banking that makes life easier for our users.
growing up in iran taught me resilience and how to push through challenges. but at 30, i made a different kind of decision. i left behind everything familiar, my country, my life, and my comfort, to move to the netherlands with two suitcases, because i knew i wanted a different life for myself, even if i could not fully explain it yet.
that experience shaped how i lead today. i aim to be the role model i did not have by leading with care and compassion, creating space for others to feel seen, believe in themselves, and step into their potential. because representation matters. you cannot be what you cannot see.
what advice would you give to your younger self?
when i was younger, i chased perfection and believed i always had to get things right. when i didn’t, my inner voice could be harsh and unforgiving. today, i would tell my younger self: you’re fine, even when you don’t feel like it. you don’t have to prove your worth by being perfect. be kinder to yourself, trust that you will accomplish things beyond your imagination, and don’t be afraid to make mistakes. make them faster and earlier, because that’s how you learn. the pressure to always be strong and flawless is a false message. your real strength lies in compassion for yourself and for others.
bunq
at bunq, we strive to build the best product, only with the best people. we believe that results speak louder than resumes, and value skills and drive over years of experience, gender, or orientation. this unique culture, free of bias and office politics, attracts the most talented people, spanning across 56+ nationalities and various sexual and gender orientation spectrums. approximately 43% of bunq’s employees are women. this is above the dutch and european averages for tech companies, which currently stand at around 20%.
we proudly support initiatives – like equals – that celebrate diversity, talent and innovation. we invite anyone looking for a high-reward culture of merit and a place where the best idea wins to join our movement: https://careers.bunq.com