My interview with ‘The Godfather of Parcel’ changed everything

Picture this: I’m a senior in college, scraping together a semi-professional interview outfit with only the top half of a suit; and my “office” is squeezed into a closet in my shared living space with four football players. With zero parcel knowledge beyond Amazon’s speedy deliveries, I hop on the interview with Henny van Boxtel, who we call ‘The Godfather of Parcel’.

With only my internship in Airports to lean on, I found myself interviewing for a product management position that felt out of reach. The interviewers took it easy on me, but thanks to their challenging questions I was able to showcase my knowledge of Vanderlande and my future aspirations. Little did I know then, the bond I would form with those two gentlemen and the incredible team we would become.

Fast forward a few years, and the growth of our team is awe-inspiring. There is no better story than the way we’ve evolved together, facing challenges head-on and continually developing. From catching up over a coffee in Building 60 to meeting new colleagues across the globe during site visits, the collaboration at Vanderlande is phenomenal.

If it wasn’t for my colleagues challenging me, I wouldn’t be where I am today, continuing my growth in product management while increasing my roles and responsibilities. Ultimately, pressure is a privilege, and we have a lot of pressure here – but it’s a privilege to be successful and continue growing. And you’ll be happy to hear I now own a full three-piece suit!

Photo 1: My “office” and desk in the closet I shared with another roommate
Photo 2: 5 roommates all together