Marly: “My greatest strength? My neurodivergent brain”

For most people, banking is something they take for granted. As Project Manager Financially Healthy Living (FGL), Marly focuses on customers for whom banking does not come naturally. This includes people with disabilities, older adults who struggle to keep up with digitalisation, and customers who have lost control of their finances.

“Banking should be accessible to everyone. And we’re working to make that possible. ”With “we,” Marly refers to her colleague Jandy, with whom she runs the Rabo Samen Bankieren proposition. “We complement each other because we excel at different things. With her many years of experience and deep knowledge of customer services, Jandy ensures quality. I challenge the status quo and bring fresh perspectives. Jandy is the yin to my yang, and vice versa. It works extremely well.”

A remarkably fast mind

A neurodivergent brain processes information differently from what is considered typical. Neurodiversity refers to the natural variation in how people process information and experience the world, including individuals with autism, ADHD or dyslexia. They often spot connections more quickly, think on multiple levels simultaneously, and notice signals that others may overlook. For Marly, this is her greatest strength in the workplace. “Sometimes I can write out an entire pitch in five minutes that might take someone else a full day. That’s simply how my mind works. Part of that comes from my neurodivergence, and part of it comes from my background.”

“I grew up on a farm and had many side jobs. You learn to be proactive, practical and entrepreneurial. At the same time, I’m quite direct, and my facial expressions tend to reveal exactly what I’m thinking. Sometimes that can cause friction, but at least people always know where they stand with me.” That combination, the entrepreneurial mindset she developed on the farm and the efficiency of her brain, makes her particularly effective in a role where she constantly switches between strategy, a complex stakeholder landscape and execution. “My greatest strength is my neurodivergence. It enables me to make a real difference in my role.”

An advocate within the bank

Marly wants others to experience that same sense of acceptance. That is why she has become a strong advocate for neurodiversity within the bank. Through conversations with management, presentations and team sessions, she highlights potential that is too often overlooked.

“One in five people is neurodivergent. Yet around half of all people with autism do not have paid employment. At the same time, organisations increasingly need people who can understand complex challenges, recognise patterns and make new connections. For me, neurodiversity is not only about inclusion, it is also about innovation. At a time when technology and AI are taking over more and more routine work, uniquely human qualities such as moral judgement and innovative thinking become even more valuable. If you keep hiring the same profiles, you miss out on the perspectives needed for true innovation.”

Don’t turn every 4 into a 6

Rabobank believes that inclusive teams are stronger, and actively invests in that belief. Marly wholeheartedly agrees. “Imagine someone scores a 9 in analytical thinking but only a 4 in presenting. Then let a colleague who excels at presenting deliver the pitch. Don’t try to turn every 4 into a 6. Otherwise, your team stays average, and that’s incredibly boring.

For me, that means people come to me for strategy, speed and presentations. But after a busy day or a lot of social interaction, I can sometimes end up completely drained on the sofa. Suddenly, replying to a message or preparing dinner feels like an overwhelming task. People often see what I bring to the table, but not always what it costs. To me, inclusion is not only about recognising someone’s strengths. It is also about understanding where support is needed. That is why it is so important to enable everyone to play to their strengths. That’s how you build a truly strong team.”

Because you are you

Her message to neurodivergent talent considering a career at Rabobank is clear: “Don’t limit yourself. Be your authentic self, because there are already plenty of people trying to be someone else. You do not need to change in order to belong. The right environment will recognise your unique qualities as a strength.

Trust your intuition, stay curious about your talents, and dare to take up space. And if you feel the need to explain yourself to your new team, do it. You have an entire organisation standing behind you. After all, we hired you because you are you.”