Small steps towards the biggest possible impact

Diana’s daily work entails identifying risks that may arise when data is collected, stored, processed or accessed. Not financial risks – ING has other specialists for those – but rather risks related to things like technology, processes and systems. With her skills and experience, virtually every company would be happy to have her – but she chose to work at ING.

“Around 2020, there were quite a few shocking changes in the US: socially, politically and culturally. I increasingly asked myself whether I wanted to stay there. Europe had always appealed to me, and I also thought it would be a good experience for my son. So I consciously started looking at companies in Europe that aligned with my skillset and experience, and above all where my beliefs would resonate. ING was one of the companies on my shortlist, because they take sustainability seriously and are putting serious effort into it; they talk the right talk. After an intense period in which I actively reached out and applied for numerous jobs, an ING recruiter contacted me with a great opportunity. Then things suddenly happened quickly, and before we knew it, we were moving to Amsterdam.”

“My primary role has meant taking a huge salary cut, but I’ve been happy to do so because I have a wonderful add-on role at ING’s Green Guild. That’s the Centre of Expertise where we bring together all kinds of initiatives for a more sustainable future. Because the science is clear: we’re getting close to exceeding the planet’s boundaries. Before long, our world won’t be liveable anymore. Climate change is causing natural disasters and immigration problems... it’s affecting everything much faster and more radically than society realises.”

“I don’t want to just sit back and let this happen. People need to take better care of the world and of each other. In my own life, I can make changes in that context. And in my work, I’m always thinking, ‘How can I have the biggest possible impact on a sustainable and equitable future?’ I know that I can only do small stuff. But all the little things I do are steps in the right direction. For example, I coordinate the collection of the data on ING’s operational footprint in the Netherlands. How many work-related kilometres do our employees travel, and what’s the carbon footprint? The insights from that data help our managers to make well-informed business decisions.”

“With the Green Guild, we’re working hard to raise awareness within ING and trying to inform and involve colleagues as much as possible. Because that’s where it starts. We need to set a good example in order to inform customers and stakeholders credibly. Are we already doing enough? No, not yet. But sustainability is now an integral part of ING’s five-year strategic plan in the Netherlands. The need, the drive and the passion are there. In any case, I will continue to do my utmost to contribute where I can. Every tiny step takes us closer to the huge and important goal.”