photographer: jonne lucia op de weegh© | make-up artist: nicky ruisch from art of colors
freeday
at freeday, we break barriers in technology, just as women break barriers in industries. innovation thrives when diverse perspectives lead the way.
milena van der velde(she/her)
ai software engineer at freeday
about
i’m milena, an ai software engineer at freeday. i studied econometrics and have always been drawn to innovative challenges. while econometrics was an obvious choice, my journey into software engineering began by chance during a student job, where i discovered the excitement of programming. it was then that i realized i wanted to apply my academic skills to solving real-world problems.
this passion eventually led me to freeday, where i work on ai solutions that automate repetitive tasks. i love seeing how my code can free people to focus on what truly matters to them. as a woman in tech, i’ve navigated unique challenges that have strengthened my resilience and problem-solving skills.
why do you think it is important that role models need to be visible?
role models need to be visible because they challenge stereotypes and open doors for everyone. when i share that i’m a software engineer, i often get surprised reactions—once, someone even said, “i’ve never met a woman who actually writes code.” this shows how common these assumptions still are and how they can limit opportunities.
i’ve always been drawn to tech, and i like to think i would have found my way into this field eventually. however, programming wasn’t on my radar at first, partly because it wasn’t seen as a typical job for women. discovering programming opened my eyes to the endless possibilities in tech, and my journey serves as a reminder that tech is for everyone. visible role models show others that anyone can explore and thrive in this field
freeday
at freeday, we break barriers in technology, just as women break barriers in industries. innovation thrives when diverse perspectives lead the way.