Joanne Meyboom-Fernhout, Managing Director at Siemens Smart Infrastructure, was appointed as the new figurehead for diversity, equality and inclusion (DEI) at FME during the first FME Vrouwen4Tech event. She succeeds Helen Kardan, who has moved from ASML to TNO. Joanne will be committed to broader diversity over the next two years, with a focus on cultural diversity and assessment of competencies.
Joanne studied Mining Engineering at TU Delft and has held various management positions at Siemens Nederland since 2016. In addition to Managing Director, she is also a board member of Siemens Nederland. From 2019 to 2022, she was the first female president of the professional association of engineers, KIVI.
Strong drive
Theo Henrar, chairman of FME, and former figurehead Helen Kardan, are delighted with Joanne's appointment. Kardan: "Joanne is a decisive manager with an enormous drive. She is a fitting successor who will help the sector further towards a more inclusive culture and a more diverse labour market." Henrar in turn: "FME sees Joanne as a role model, because of her impressive career in various technical and managerial positions, such as now at FME member company Siemens Nederland. She has an enormous track record. Both within Siemens Nederland and beyond, Joanne is committed to greater gender equality at all levels. Together with her, we will ensure a more diverse and inclusive labour market." The chairman of FME thanks Helen Kardan for her enormous efforts over the past 1.5 years: "Helen has laid a solid foundation on which we can build."
More women in technology
During the FME Women4Tech event on Tuesday 1 October, the importance of an equal position for women in the labour market was discussed, a theme that is close to Joanne's heart. At Siemens, she ensured an increase in women in the management team, where four of the six board members are now women. Joanne:
We are seeing a shift at the top of the business community. One in three appointed directors is now a woman, but in the technical sector we are lagging behind. This must change quickly, because diversity in leadership ensures more innovation and better decision-making. Moreover, such a role model has an attraction for more women in technology.
Joanne emphasises that there is still much to be gained for girls and women in the technical field.
Children are often unconsciously pushed in a certain direction. But more female input can lead to better technical designs. Women think differently when it comes to solving complex problems. My dream is that parents proudly boast that their daughter ‘rocks’ her MBO or HBO education in technology. We still miss a lot of girls in these two important vocational training courses. While it is good money and the sector offers many prospects for women. In technical scientific education, girls are increasingly finding their way.
FME Women4Tech: attracting, binding and retaining women for the sector
During the FME Women4Tech event, Her Excellency Mrs. Duggal (American ambassador), Liesje Schreinemacher (former minister) and Marguerite Soeteman-Reijnen (chair of SER Topvrouwen) shared their experiences. In panel discussions with FME members such as Thales Nederland, Kiremko, Fokker Services Group and DAF Trucks, the importance of an equal position for women in the labor market was discussed. FME Women4Tech will be continued next year to attract and retain more women for the technology sector.
