photographer: jonne lucia op de weegh© | make-up artist: mariam mariam from art of colors
annelize klomp(she/her)
vp people & places at bitvavo
about
hi, i’m annelize! i’m originally from south africa but left my beautiful home country after completing my psychology degree to start my career in europe as recruitment consultant many moons ago. over the years, i grew into various different hr roles that shaped me to the professional and leader i am today. currently i’m proud to serve as the vp of people and places at bitvavo, where i empower my team to drive bold ambitions and goals in the exciting world of digital assets. i’m also a wife and mother to two amazing boys and passionate about travel, nature, and food.
what advice would you give to your younger self?
i would tell my younger self to embrace failure as part of the journey, rather than something to fear. i used to be cautious and overly focused on perfection, but i’ve learned that growth often comes from taking risks, learning from mistakes, and being kind to myself along the way. i’d also encourage myself to be more patient—things often work out in ways you can’t predict. life happens for a reason, and when one door closes, another, probably better, door will open. lastly, i’d remind myself to prioritize balance—be ambitious and work hard, but don’t forget to enjoy life along the way.
bitvavo
bitvavo is committed to empowering every crypto journey, and that includes creating more opportunities for women in our industry. we know diverse teams drive better ideas, better products, and better results. yet, hiring and retaining women in fintech remains a challenge. by joining this campaign, we want to help shift the narrative, inspire more women to pursue careers in crypto, and take real steps toward a more equitable future. the financial system is evolving—let’s make sure it evolves for everyone.