Interview with Jolanda van Gilst, trainer at Connected Data Academy

With over twenty years of experience as a data consultant, with Connected Data Group since 2018, Jolanda connects theory and practice in her trainings at Connected Data Academy. Her expertise and personal approach make complex data accessible and immediately applicable. What drives her as a trainer? And how do the roles of trainer and consultant strengthen each other?

Teaching is more than transferring knowledge

"What appeals to me enormously in my role as a trainer is the dynamic and variety every training brings. No two trainings are the same. Not only the material varies, but also the make-up of the group and the questions participants have."*

Jolanda tailors her approach to the diverse backgrounds of her participants, from technical specialists to managers and business professionals. That variation calls for flexibility and sharp insight.

Trainings that truly make an impact

"My work is not only about theory; it is about the strategic application of data in practice. I help participants not just by passing on knowledge, but above all by offering insights they can use right away."Within Connected Data Academy, Jolanda delivers both the intensive Fundamentals training and the specialist deep dives."In Fundamentals the pace is high, but I make sure every participant gets the knowledge they need. Specialist trainings give space for depth and discussion, which makes the material really come alive and increases its applicability in practice."*

From consultant to trainer: a natural evolution

Becoming a trainer was not a deliberate choice for Jolanda, but a logical extension of her work as a Technical Data Consultant. When she was asked to give a few tool trainings, she discovered her passion for carefully transferring knowledge; a perfect fit.

Her work as a consultant and a trainer strengthen each other. She sees the data challenges companies face and translates them in her course material into practical, applicable insights. What started with Data Modelling trainings grew into a broad portfolio, including Data Architecture, Data Virtualisation and Data Management trainings.

Interplay between two roles

The interplay between her role as consultant and as trainer gives Jolanda energy, and sharpens her own expertise as well.

"Because the theory is always top of mind, I have strengthened my strategic communication with stakeholders. I can now substantiate projects even better and explain why certain choices are made."But what drives her most is seeing how participants grow and apply the material directly in their work."In the end it is about making an impact, and that is exactly what this role gives me."

A look at the future

Looking ahead means seeing opportunities and being open to new insights. That certainly applies to Jolanda, who has discovered over time that some topics are far more fascinating than they first appear.

"Take data quality for example. I used to find it an abstract topic and kept my distance from it, mainly because of the statistical aspect," she admits. "Not because it did not interest me, but because I found statistics complicated, and that seemed a prerequisite for applying it."She has since discovered how fascinating this specialism is."When you understand why you do something, applying it becomes self-evident and an integral part of your work."

This insight fits her broader view: some topics may look technical and abstract, but as soon as you dive into the details, their real value becomes visible and a new layer of applicability emerges. "The devil is in the detail," she says with a laugh. "That is exactly where the real challenge lies, and what is most interesting."

This curious, analytical attitude is what keeps Jolanda developing."A training I would like to deliver in the future is Data Governance," she says enthusiastically. "This conceptually strong topic forms the backbone of good data management within organisations. The challenge of making such a complex theme clear and applicable appeals to me enormously."

Keep developing, keep discovering

With the rapid developments in the data sector, Jolanda keeps reinventing herself. Where she will be in a few years exactly, she does not know, but one thing is certain: she will keep developing.

"I have never deliberately planned my career, I take the opportunities that come along. That is also why Connected Data Group and Connected Data Academy suit me so well. Here you get opportunities, you can develop."

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Want to know more?

Discover how Jolanda and our team can help your organisation with data expertise. Get in touch and let us advise you, from strategic advice through Connected Data Group to specialist trainings through Connected Data Academy.