photographer: carly wollaert © | make-up artist: violeta marinova from art of colors
susie so
head of information & technology, uk at abn amro
about
having lived through chapters of my life in hong kong, australia, and now london, my interest in technology began during my master of commerce. i wasn’t the stereotypical ‘tech’ profile – not a coder – and my early roles were business-facing, connecting strategy, systems and people. looking back, i often had to create space for opportunity rather than accept limitation, at times as the only woman at the table. that experience could have made me quieter, but instead it led me to realise that my uniqueness was my currency. i leaned into curiosity, approached challenges creatively, and drew energy from conversations that stretched my thinking. working in technology has shown me that progress depends on shifting perceptions, not only in the tools we build, but in how we collaborate. in my role at abn amro, i see this every day. visibility amplifies voices: when women are clearly seen shaping decisions and outcomes, it signals a new normalisation.
what advice would you give to your younger self?
i would remind myself that being a woman in the room is my superpower. it means you see things differently, and that perspective adds value. it took time for me to nurture that mindset, and it shaped my confidence in meaningful ways. i always encourage staying curious and trusting your judgement, as you don’t need to mirror others, to belong. it’s better not to fit! as your perspective broadens, you learn to pivot, and showing up with your uniqueness is your strength – embrace it.
abn amro
at abn amro, diversity, equity and inclusion are essential to who we are and how we serve society. we want our organisation to reflect the world around us: rich in perspectives, experiences and voices. women remain underrepresented in sectors like finance and technology, which is why we highlight the stories and achievements of women at abn amro. their leadership shows there are no limits to what women can achieve and inspires others to follow. this international women’s day, we join the equals campaign to champion visibility, opportunity and empowerment. together, we’re committed to building a world where equality is expected.