Interview with Jolanda van Gilst, trainer at Connected Data Academy

“I learn, improve, and grow—for my participants and myself.”

With over twenty years of experience as a data consultant, Jolanda has been with Connected Data Group since 2018, combining theory and practice in her training courses 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 reinforce each other?

Training is more than just transferring knowledge
“What appeals to me most in my role as a trainer is the dynamics and variety that each training course brings. No two training courses are the same. Not only does the course material vary, but so does the composition of the group and the questions that participants have.”
Jolanda tailors her approach to the diverse backgrounds of her participants, from technical specialists to managers and business professionals. That variety requires flexibility and keen insight.

Jolanda stemt haar aanpak af op de diverse achtergronden van haar deelnemers, van technische specialisten tot managers en businessprofessionals. Die variatie vraagt om flexibiliteit en scherp inzicht.

Training courses that really make an impact
“My work is not just about theory, but about the strategic application of data in practice. I help participants not only by providing them with knowledge, but above all by offering insights that they can use immediately.”

Within Connected Data Academy, Jolanda provides both intensive Fundamentals training and specialized in-depth courses.

“The pace is fast in Fundamentals, but I make sure that every participant gets the knowledge they need. Specialist training courses, on the other hand, provide room for in-depth study and discussion, which really brings the material to life and makes it even more applicable in practice.”

From consultant to trainer: a natural development
Becoming a trainer was not a conscious choice for Jolanda, but a logical continuation of her work as a Technical Data Consultant. When she was asked to give some tool training courses, she discovered her passion for carefully transferring knowledge; a perfect fit.

Her work as a consultant and trainer reinforce each other. She sees the challenges companies face with data and translates them into practical, applicable insights in the teaching material. What started with training courses in Data Modeling has grown into a broad portfolio, including Data Architecture, Data Virtualization, and Data Management training courses.

Interaction between two roles
The interaction between her roles as consultant and trainer gives Jolanda energy and also sharpens her own expertise.

“Because 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 immediately apply the material in their work.

“Ultimately, it’s all about making an impact, and that’s exactly what this role gives me.”

A look to the future
Looking ahead means seeing opportunities and being open to new insights. This certainly applies to Jolanda, who has discovered over time that some topics are much more fascinating than they seem at first glance.

“Take data quality, for example. I used to find it an abstract subject and kept my distance from it, mainly because of the statistical aspect,” she admits. “Not because I wasn’t interested, but because I found statistics complicated—and that seemed to be a prerequisite for applying it.”

She has since discovered how fascinating this specialism is. “When you understand why you are doing something, applying it becomes self-evident and an integral part of your work.”

This insight fits in with her broader vision: some subjects may seem technical and abstract, but once you dive into the details, their true value becomes apparent and a new layer of applicability emerges. “The devil is in the detail,” she says with a smile. “That’s where the real challenge and the most interesting part lie.”

This curious and analytical attitude means that Jolanda is constantly developing.
“A training course I would like to give in the future is Data Governance,” she says enthusiastically. “This conceptually strong subject forms the backbone of good data management within organizations. The challenge of making such a complex theme clear and applicable appeals to me enormously.”

Continuing to develop, continuing to discover
With rapid developments in the data sector, Jolanda continues to innovate. She doesn’t know exactly where she will be in a few years, but one thing is certain: she will continue to develop.

“I have never consciously planned my career, but I seize the opportunities that come my way. That’s why Connected Data Group and Connected Data Academy are such a good fit for me. Here, you get opportunities and you can develop.”

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Want to know more?
Discover how Jolanda and our team can help your organization with data expertise. Contact us for advice—from strategic advice via Connected Data Group to specialized training via Connected Data Academy.