Wrapped Event in English

Forge Connect

Amsterdam

Our first Forge Connect event in Amsterdam, in partnership with IbanFirst, was a fantastic gathering of finance professionals for a day filled with networking, learning, and collaboration. From inspiring keynote speakers to hands-on workshops and meaningful connections, the event brought together industry experts to share insights and shape the future of finance. A huge thank you to everyone who joined us and made this event a success! Stay tuned for more exciting opportunities to connect and grow together.

Amsterdam

1st
OCT
2024

Event recap

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IT’S A WRAP!

Forge Connect was more than just an event; it was a day of learning, connection, and inspiration. From expert panels to interactive sessions and casual networking, it became clear that finance professionals are hungry for real conversations — not just corporate presentations. Whether it was last-minute signups, the popularity of our branded umbrellas (a must to face the Amsterdam rain!), or the number of attendees who stayed late for cocktails, Parkhuis De Zwijger was buzzing with energy.

Highlights of the day

Keynote

Profitability: how company culture can drive sustainable growth
Wouter Glaser shared his inspirational story of overcoming business and finance challenges.

Activity

Connecting with your peers
An interactive activity gets the conversation going before the morning break.

Keynote

The changing role of the CFO
Rita Piçarra discussed how financial leaders are adapting to the modern workplace, becoming strategic partners to drive business growth and innovation.

Panel

Sustainable Finance
Ana Sabbag, Florent Melis, and Aidana Zhakupbekova discussed sustainable practices for finance teams taken from their experiences at Marlin, Eurazeo and Rydoo..

Panel

Digital Transformation
Arian Musa, Niels de Kind, and Manuela Godeck shared their insights on how the digital world is changing finance operations.

Keynote

AI in Finance
Nicolas Boucher dug into the practical applications of AI for finance teams.

Read all about it

Discover all the insights from our previous Forge Connect panels

2025-02-05

Operations + Technology

How AI is revolutionising finance processes

Featuring: Nicolas Boucher

AI’s latest advancements have revolutionised finance processes and decision-making. Industry expert Nicolas Boucher explains what’s changed, the most common pitfalls, and solutions.

2025-02-05

2024-11-15

Leadership + Strategy

The changing role of the CFO: From number crunchers to strategic players

Featuring: Rita Piçarra

Finance leaders have become strategic partners who drive business growth with technology, data, and collaboration. Discover what changed in the role of the CFO.

2024-11-15

2024-10-23

Leadership + Strategy

Building a company culture that drives profitability

Featuring: Wouter Glaser

Wouter Glaser takes from his experience as an entrepreneur to explain how a strong company culture can drive profitability, boost employee engagement, and foster long-term business success.

2024-10-23

The keynote speakers

Wouter Glaser

Growth programs for SMEs | M&A strategy | Business coach | Founder Glasnost

Wouter is a Dutch-based business coach and serial entrepreneur who has founded seven companies, four of which he has exited. In just eight years, he grew his company, Glasnost, from €1 to €1 million. As a Chief Growth Officer, he has set up and implemented his growth program at 10 other companies. He is currently active at scale-up studio Go Delphi, which facilitates growth programmes for scale-ups, helps entrepreneurs with business growth, and assists with exit strategy..

Rita Piçarra

Former CFO @Microsoft PT | Public speaker | Financial advisor |
Published author

Rita built her career for over 15 years at Microsoft before becoming the CFO at Microsoft Portugal. After 4 years, she retired from the corporate world at the age of 44. Today, Rita is a public speaker, financial advisor, author, mother, traveller and surfer, aiming to inspire others with her story.

Nicolas Boucher

Keynote speaker on Al for Finance | Founder of Al Finance Club

Nicolas Boucher has over 15 years of experience in finance and has trained over 5,000 professionals in using Al to its fullest potential. He also shares daily insights on Finance and Al with almost 1 million followers on Linkedin. After working in finance for over a decade, Nicolas founded the Al Finance Club in 2023. He provides training, consulting, and workshops targeted at Finance professionals and has worked with major corporations such as Carlsberg, Ferrero, Mercedes-Benz, and NuT Data.

The panelists

Niels De Kind

Business Analyst @BMW Group | Finance Consultant at Finsiders
Throughout his journey, he’s helped his clients select the best digital processes for companies, spoken at multiple events, and published opinion pieces on the topic in Belgian newspapers.

Aidana Zhakupbekova

Chief Financial Officer @ Rydoo

With 10+ years in finance, Aidana became Rydoo’s CFO in 2023, previously driving growth at European start-ups like Board of Innovation and HousingAnywhere.

Manuela Godeck

Lead Global Finance Innovation @Vodafone Group Finance
With over a decade at Vodafone, she specializes in digital innovation for Finance, winning awards for impactful solutions and leading cross-industry teams.

Florent Mélis

Operating Partner @Eurazeo | ESG & Business Transformation

Florent, Ops Principal at Eurazeo, supports portfolio companies in value creation. Previously at McKinsey, he now drives ESG efforts in small-mid buyouts, advancing carbon neutrality and inclusivity.

Ana Sabbag

Marlin Operating Director & Europe ESG Lead

Since 2021, Ana Sabbag has led value-creation at Marlin Equity Partners, driving ESG and people initiatives across Europe. She previously spent a decade at A&M in PE services, specializing in turnarounds and interim management.

Arian Musa

Senior Consultant @ Eraneos | Enterprise Automation

As senior digital strategy consultant at Eraneos, he advises C-level executives on transformation. With global experience in DAX and Fortune 500 firms, he values collaboration, co-creation, and a beginner’s mindset.

The Venue

PAKHUIS DE SWIJGER

Piet Heinkade 179, 1019 HC Amsterdam, Netherlands

Pakhuis de Zwijger is a cultural organisation for social innovation and creation. It served as a refrigerated warehouse for years, before opening its doors as an independent platform for and by the city of Amsterdam in 2006.

Coming up

Coming up Event in German

FORGE CONNECT

DÜSSELDORF

Join us in Düsseldorf in June 2025 for the next edition of Forge Connect, the networking event for finance professionals across Europe.

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