photographer: carly wollaert © | make-up artist: cheayenna pesulima from art of colors
daria protsenko
power platform developer at brunel
dutch it alumni at equals
about
my name is daria, and i am a 24-year-old software engineer. originally from ukraine, i am now living in the netherlands. participating in the dutch it programme by equals opened many doors of new opportunities for me in the dutch job market and in society at large. i am deeply grateful for this experience and proud to say that i am now working in dutch.
as a former it skills mentor at equals, i am committed to closing gender gaps in education, pay, opportunity, and labour recognition. i envision women* at the forefront of the future. throughout my journey, i have repeatedly seen how brilliant and capable women are, and how much we can contribute to the fields of science and technology.
currently, i work as a power platform developer at brunel. using microsoft services, i build tailored applications and automation solutions for clients across dutch and international industries. i particularly enjoy solving complex technical and design challenges with a forward-thinking approach.
what advice would you give to your younger self?
do not be afraid to take up space. focus on building your skills – technical, social, and practical – and growing your community. financial independence will empower you and open doors to opportunities you cannot yet imagine. trust your gut. let your moral compass guide you. do what you believe is right, but continue to learn and reassess. everything will come to you, one step at a time. you are happiest when your work helps and improves the lives of others. speak up!