Agility and Trust at the Helm: CEO’s Vision for LNDS
What drives the Luxembourg National Data Service (LNDS) forward? In this blog, we explore the essential qualities of agility and trust through a conversation with our CEO, Bert Verdonck. We delve into his leadership journey, philosophy, and the challenges he navigates as he steers LNDS toward a future of innovation and impact. Get to know Bert and discover the vision that shapes our organisation!
Leadership Strategy and Core Values at LNDS
Can you share a bit about your background and the journey that led you to your current position?
My professional journey began with a PhD in Medical Image Processing in 1993. Since 1996, I spent most of my career at Philips. I worked with imaging systems and later expanded to monitoring systems and healthcare at home. I was a general manager at Philips, overseeing a significant business unit and gaining experience in R&D, marketing, sales, and IT. In 2019, I became involved in the European data space initiatives. This led to my introduction to the Luxembourg Institute of Health (LIH) and eventually to the Luxembourg National Data Service (LNDS) as CEO.
Describe your role at LNDS, what are you doing in your daily work?
My primary focus is on our people.
Bert Verdonck, LNDS CEO
My first role is ensuring that our people have everything they need to work optimally. I also engage extensively with external partners in the research, public- and private sectors, gathering feedback and seeking new project opportunities. Additionally, I am involved in shaping our vision and strategy, continuously learning and integrating best practices to drive LNDS forward.
What values do you believe are essential for a successful organisation? How do you embody those values in your leadership?
Trust and integrity are fundamental, especially as we handle sensitive data, where honesty and transparency are key. Innovation and creativity are crucial for tackling complex issues. Moreover, I lead by example, ensuring I practice what I preach. This goes from securing my computer, to keeping meetings on time, and being transparent with finances. I foster a service mindset within the team, encouraging a culture of mutual help and care, and promote agility to stay current with technological advancements and industry or regulatory changes.
Goals and Challenges: From Data to Impact
When you joined LNDS, what were the initial objectives, and how do you position with these objectives now?
Initially, our goal was to establish a horizontal capability serving multiple domains, focusing first on health, social, and energy sectors. We aimed to develop a scalable service portfolio. Today, our objectives have evolved, creating impact in various other domains, and with new challenges such as the implementation of the Data Governance Act and preparing for the European Health Data Space. We continuously raise the bar and adapt to these new demands.
Can you share significant milestones or achievements that LNDS has reached under your leadership?
A notable milestone was our Data Summit Luxembourg last year, which attracted 300 participants and showcased our capabilities. We are now preparing for our second annual event, growing the Data Summit Luxembourg bigger, both in terms of content and participants.
We strive to make a difference with each data project, aiming for small successes that collectively create significant impact.
Bert Verdonck, LNDS CEO
What are some of your professional goals that you hope to achieve at LNDS?
Broadening my expertise beyond health and create impact in other domains like social, economic, education, and energy is a primary goal. Additionally, I aim to create both local and international impact, positioning LNDS as a significant player in the global data-sharing landscape.
Building a Future with Data
What keeps the CEO of LNDS up at night?
My main concern is ensuring that we create a positive impact with our activities, in full respect of regulations and with optimal security. I aim to generate economic benefits, improve policymaking, and enhance research capabilities. Continuously questioning whether we are doing enough to achieve these goals keeps me vigilant.
What are you excited about for the future of LNDS?
The potential of AI excites me, both for improving our internal processes and helping our partners leverage AI. I am also enthusiastic about our international collaborations and navigating new regulatory frameworks. The continuous advancements in data science present numerous exciting challenges and opportunities.
If you would name three things, what are the most important aspects at LNDS?
Putting people first, embracing agility, and fostering a problem-solving mentality are paramount. These principles ensure a supportive, adaptable, and innovative environment that drives our success.
Thank you, Bert, for sharing your insights and experiences at LNDS. Your journey exemplifies the core values of our organisation. Furthermore, this conversation highlights how we strive to create a positive impact, foster professional growth, and maintain a supportive and dynamic work environment.
Bert’s story is just one of many at LNDS, where each individual’s contributions add a unique chapter to our collective narrative. Stay tuned for more stories from our diverse team!