Former VU Students and their workplaces
Where are they now?
Vanessa Bolle – Sustainability Consultant at Lidl – Germany
After completing her Master of Business Administration in 2019, Vanessa Bolle is currently employed as a Sustainability Consultant at Lidl International in Germany. "In collaboration with my colleagues within the climate team, we measure greenhouse gas emissions in our supply chain and take steps to reduce them. My role primarily involves leading both national and international projects to reduce Lidl's emissions, while guiding our suppliers in setting and achieving scientifically grounded climate goals. I am incredibly grateful for the flexibility that Lidl provides me. Despite my role being associated with the headquarters in South Germany, I work entirely remotely from my home near Hamburg in North Germany. With this fantastic team, I simply cannot imagine a better work environment. Additionally, Lidl offers various corporate benefits, including affordable sports opportunities."
Vinicius Casarin – Resource Manager at DocuSign – Sao Paulo
Vinicius Casarin started as a Resource Manager at DocuSign in August 2023. In 2016, Vinicius completed his Master's in Human Resource Management, and after a few interim steps, he found his way to DocuSign. In his role, he is responsible for allocating internal consultants to new assignments, strategically deploying his team on projects that align with their skills and competencies.
"The culture at DocuSign is fantastic! Since I started, I have always felt very welcome. Both my supervisors and my colleagues are exceptionally friendly and provide support when needed. The organization places a strong emphasis on our well-being, and we have an abundance of initiatives that make DocuSign a very pleasant workplace. The São Paulo office features a spacious and comfortable area for brief relaxation, complete with coffee, complimentary snacks, couches, and even a balcony. Even though I work mostly from home, visiting the physical office is always a great experience.
"I truly believe that my experience at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam has altered my career path. I learned a lot during my master's, expanding my knowledge in business development, leadership, and multicultural environments. But learning didn't confine itself to the lecture halls. I also learned from my fellow students and friends at the Uilenstede campus; this was my first experience living with people from so many different cultures from around the world. It was the most valuable experience I've had in my life."
Jacopo Lanti – Security Risk Manager at Lloyds Banking Group – London
In 2016, Jacopo Lanti successfully completed the master's program in Business Management and Strategy. Currently, he holds the position of Security Risk Manager at Lloyds Banking Group in London. "My time at the VU was incredibly enriching and has shaped me into the strategic and critical thinker I am today. Thanks to my studies, I am able to look beyond operational tasks and focus on higher-level management. In my role at Lloyds Banking Group, I am involved in establishing, implementing, and maintaining our security strategy and operational model. This is crucial for effectively managing our combined risk profile. The good news is that I don't operate in isolation. I consistently have access to international experts with whom I can learn and exchange ideas, further fostering my professional growth."