Jenny de Nijs Discusses Leadership, Career Development at BCC Fireside Chat

On Thursday 9 July 2026, the British Chamber of Commerce for Luxembourg (BCC) hosted a fireside chat with Jenny de Nijs, Director for the Development of the Financial Centre at Luxembourg’s Ministry of Finance.

Held at the premises of ATOZ in Senningerberg, the fireside chat was moderated by Claudia Neumeister, BCC Vice Chair, and Svetlana Grishankova. The discussion explored leadership, career development, mentorship, sustainable finance, artificial intelligence (AI) and the challenges of balancing professional ambitions with personal life.

Reflecting on work-life balance, Jenny de Nijs challenged the idea that people can successfully pursue every ambition simultaneously.

"You can have it all, but not at the same time," she said, explaining that priorities naturally shift throughout different stages of life. She stressed that building an ambitious career often depends on the support of family, friends, colleagues and professional networks.

Rather than striving for perfect balance, she encouraged making conscious choices and accepting that different aspects of life will require greater attention at different times.

Drawing on her own professional experience, Jenny de Nijs described a career shaped by both continuity and a willingness to embrace unexpected opportunities.

She explained that professional success does not necessarily come from following a rigid plan but can also result from curiosity, adaptability and the courage to change direction when new possibilities arise. What may initially seem like a detour can ultimately become a defining part of one's career.

She also reflected on her upbringing, noting that her parents pursued very different careers and allowed her the freedom to choose her own path. Describing herself as something of an outlier within her family, she suggested that this independence had influenced her professional journey.

On the topic about the importance of mentors and sponsors Jenny De Nijs said that, early in her career, she had not consciously looked for them because she was unfamiliar with the concepts.

Looking back, however, she realised that many people had fulfilled those roles by offering advice, recognising her potential, creating opportunities and supporting her development.

She encouraged younger professionals to value these relationships and to build them deliberately, noting that mentorship often develops naturally through trust and shared professional experiences rather than formal programmes.

When asked what advice she would give to her younger self, Jenny de Nijs responded: "Just be yourself – go for it" and "speak your mind – because men do."

She emphasised that authenticity and confidence are essential qualities for effective leadership, encouraging professionals not to wait until they feel completely certain before contributing their ideas.

She added that speaking up is particularly important in environments where women remain underrepresented, arguing that confidence is often developed through participation rather than preceding it.

Discussing the future of financial services, Jenny de Nijs advised young professionals against specialising too narrowly in sustainability alone.

While environmental, social and governance (ESG) considerations have become an integral part of modern finance, she argued that professionals also need a broad understanding of financial markets, products, regulation, risk management and client needs.

She described sustainable finance as a permanent element of the financial sector rather than a niche area, making broad expertise increasingly important.

On the topic of AI, Jenny De Nijs said it will increasingly become part of everyday working life, shifting the focus from whether it will be used to how it is developed and governed.

She also warned that AI systems can inherit biases present in historical data and stressed the importance of greater female participation in developing and testing these technologies.

According to her, ensuring women play an active role in shaping AI will help reduce the risk of existing inequalities being embedded in tools that increasingly influence recruitment, investment decisions, risk assessment and other areas of society.

Concluding the discussion, Jenny de Nijs encouraged attendees to remain open to opportunities, invest in meaningful professional relationships and embrace authenticity throughout their careers, arguing that leadership is built through experience, adaptability and the confidence to speak up.