Jorissa Neutelings is the Chief Digital Officer (CDO) of ABN AMRO Bank N.V. She is responsible for global Digital Customer Experience, Digital Innovation, Data & Advanced Analytics (also including AI), and the Design & Build of all digital channels. The main theme in her career is the customer. In this eco-system driven world with liquid interactions she sees digitalisation as the route to help clients simpler, faster and more personal.
Recently, in an exclusive interview with CIO Magazine, Jorissa shared insights on her career journey, digital leadership, and vision for the future, highlighting her passion for simplifying customers’ lives through digital solutions and her vision for “Liquid Companies” that are seamlessly integrated and hyper-personalized. She also shared the secret mantra behind her success, her favourite quote, words of wisdom, and much more. The following excerpts are taken from the interview.
Hi Jorissa. What inspired you to pursue a career in digital leadership, and what motivates you to continue?
I started my career in service and marketing departments. Both areas cater for an easier life for our customer, taking problems out of their hands. That really got to me. How can I add to life’s simplicity? When, around 2000, digital came up, I found even more solutions that could add value and ease for customers, so I moved quickly into that space and have been working in digital roles ever since.
What do you love the most about your current role?
To work with so many smart colleagues on removing the everyday friction customers experience in digital banking is what I love to do. When customers tell me a digital process was easy or that they felt truly understood — that makes my day.
What’s your vision for the future of digital transformation, and how do you see it evolving?
Digital transformation is no longer about digitising processes — it’s about becoming fluid. At ABN AMRO, I envision a future where organisations evolve into Liquid Companies: seamlessly integrated, hyper-personalised, and always present where the customer is. This means shifting from rigid process flows to dynamic, data-driven journeys that adapt in real time to individual needs.
Is there a particular person you are grateful for who helped get you to where you are?
So many people to mention here, as a career in digital transformation asks a lot of you. You need stamina, thick skin, inspiration, boldness, risk-taking, etc. The support of family, friends, colleagues, and work mentors is crucial. This is not a one-person job.
Congratulations on being recognised as one of the Global CDO 100 2025 winners. Our readers would love to know the secret mantra behind your success.
Thank you so much, that is really kind. I believe the most important thing is to be uncompromisingly there for the customer and let digital solutions follow that principle.Technology is there to simplify and enhance your life — never the other way around — and you should work from outside to inside and from the future back to now. I stick to those rules for everything we build!
How do you prioritise your own professional development and growth as a digital leader?
That is, of course, always a challenge. I try to do micro activities during my week, like reading customer feedback for 15 minutes weekly, staying updated with some articles on future developments, and having a monthly “Let’s Talk” session with different specialists in the digital area.
A good tip is to commit yourself to a couple of keynotes a year. It forces you to prioritise deep dives on content so you can have a smashing presentation.
What are some of your passions outside of work?
For the past two years, I have been addicted to playing padel, and I love being on the water with my SUP board. Spending time with my grown-up kids, visiting modern art exhibits, and going to dance parties with friends is also regularly on my agenda.
What is your favourite quote?
“Be yourself, there are already so many others.” (Loesje)
“I have never done it before, so I think I can do it.” (Pippi Langkous)
What is your biggest goal? Where do you see yourself in 5 years from now?
My mission is Founder of Future Bliss, and every year I want to make sure that I have spent the most time on actually doing this. Who knows, maybe you’ll see me as a futurist somewhere on stage in 5 years.
What advice would you give to someone looking to build a career in digital leadership?
Make sure you love customers and appoint yourself as an ‘ambassador for the customer’ where you work. Only companies that are built around the customer will keep up with the rapid developments in today’s digital landscape.