“I’ve never felt held back by a glass ceiling.”

When Tjarda Becker talks about her work, her energy is infectious. As Global Supply Chain Director Operational Excellence, Manufacturing and Digital at FrieslandCampina, she leads a team of approximately 75 people. Her mission: to make operations more efficient, more sustainable, smarter and more digitally connected. “My role is about continuous improvement, I want to make every day a bit better” Tjarda explains. “Whether it’s reducing waste or enhancing digital capabilities, it’s all about building an organisation that learns and evolves.”

Working in supply chain has meant that Tjarda has spent most of her career surrounded by men. While this never intimidated her, it did shape her perspective on leadership. “In my studies, 85 to 95 percent of students were male, and that continued throughout my career,” she recalls. Over the years, she has seen the landscape change slowly but surely. “There’s much more recognition now that diversity leads to better results. But diversity only truly matters when people feel safe to speak up,” she explains.

That belief is reflected in her leadership values: curiosity, authenticity, and respect. “If you’re authentic, others feel they can be too, and that’s when real collaboration happens,” she says. Still, she’s aware that inclusion doesn’t happen automatically. “Sometimes, when I am with a group of men, they simply don’t notice certain dynamics. It’s not intentional, it’s unconscious,” she explains. “That’s why I bring it up. I make it part of the conversation because that’s how change begins. Tjarda doesn’t see herself as someone fighting the system, but rather as someone shaping it from within. “I’ve never felt held back by a glass ceiling,” she says. “If something feels off, I speak up, not to confront, but to create understanding. It’s a mindset I aim to model for other women. I always say: stay confident, stay curious, and never hesitate to use your voice”.