When Lore first joined Projective Talent (what was then Exellys) in 2018, she didn’t know she was setting out on a journey that would eventually lead her into a leadership role at one of Belgium’s largest banks. Back then, she was an Industrial Engineering graduate with a strong technical background, a lot of curiosity, and by her own admission not all that much self-confidence.
Today, she’s a Chapter Lead at ING, coaching development teams and owning delivery across two squads. Her path wasn’t linear, but rather shaped by a mix of courage, doubt, and the kind of support that helps you grow faster and further than you thought possible.
Lore’s story began, quite literally, at a campus job fair. “I remember walking past the Projective Talent stand, back then it was still Exellys, and feeling like something about it just fit,” she recalls. At first, she wasn’t entirely convinced by the concept of guided development and coaching, but curiosity won. “I went to the interview thinking of it as a practice round, but I left feeling completely at ease. It was the first company I spoke to but also the only one where I felt like I could just be myself. In the end I had offers on the table that were financially more interesting but I’m very happy I decided to put my development first.”
Projective Talent was the first company I spoke to but also the only one where I felt like I could just be myself.
That intuition turned out to be right. Her coach helped her navigate that initial uncertainty. “The start of a career is hardly ever what you envision, but my coach encouraged me to speak up, take initiative and slowly carve out the kind of work I wanted. Having someone believe in me made all the difference early on.”
As Lore grew into her first project as a developer, the value of that coaching became increasingly clear. Entering a team full of experienced, assertive colleagues wasn’t easy, but her coach gave her the tools and confidence to find her place. Over time, she learned that the soft skills she was developing were every bit as powerful as her technical ones.
Lore learned that the soft skills she was developing were every bit as powerful as her technical ones.
Less than a year into her first role, Lore was asked to take on a Chapter Lead position, something she hadn’t imagined possible so early in her career. “My first instinct was to say no. I was only 24 and had just started. But my coach helped me see that I’d been chosen for a reason. I didn’t have to be the most technical person in the room to lead effectively.” That push gave her the confidence to step up and discover her affinity for people leadership.
From there, Lore’s career unfolded across different environments: agency projects, consultancy roles, remote work during the pandemic. All of these helped her grow her perspective on what kind of work and culture truly motivated her.
By 2023, Lore was ready for a new challenge. We always kept in touch and she even spoke at one of our events so when Lore heard about the Lead the Way programme at ING, the timing couldn’t have been better. “I was at a point where I knew I needed something different. When I heard about the programme, it immediately felt like an opportunity I couldn’t pass up.”
The initiative was designed to identify and develop future Chapter Leads, leaders who could bridge technical knowledge with people skills. “What appealed to me was that they weren’t looking for the biggest expert,” Lore explains. “They wanted people with the right mindset, those who could grow into leadership roles with the right support.”
Everyone else in my group had loads of experience. I had ‘only’ five years under my belt. The imposter syndrome hit hard at first.
Still, starting out wasn’t without its challenges. “Everyone else in my group had loads of experience. I had ‘only’ five years under my belt. The imposter syndrome hit hard at first,” she admits. “But the others were so supportive. They helped me realise that I didn’t have to prove I belonged there because I already did.”
Throughout the programme, Lore transitioned from Frontend Engineer to Product Owner, and eventually to Chapter Lead, managing two teams, one in Belgium and one in India. “I’ve come full circle,” she says. “Now I get to coach others, give feedback, and pass on what I once learned as a trainee. That’s what gives me the most energy.”
Looking back, Lore says the most important factor in her growth wasn’t a single training or role, it was the people who believed in her potential. “Having someone in your corner changes everything,” she reflects. “A coach, a manager, a community that sees what you can do even before you do, that gave me the courage to take leaps I otherwise wouldn’t have taken.”
A coach, a manager, a community that sees what you can do even before you do, that gave me the courage to take leaps I otherwise wouldn’t have taken.
Today, Lore radiates the kind of confidence she once doubted she’d ever have. “The biggest change between the Lore of 2018 and the Lore of now is self-belief. I used to underestimate myself in every room. Now, I know I’m there for a reason.”
That belief in potential is what drives us at Projective Talent every day: connecting ambitious professionals with opportunities that stretch them, support them, and set them up for long-term success. Because when talent meets the right environment, confidence follows naturally.
As part of Projective Group, Projective Talent connects ambitious professionals with leading financial services companies, opening doors to career-defining opportunities. Whether through traineeships that transition into long-term roles with our clients, or missions that offer flexible assignments, we ensure the right fit for both candidates and businesses.
With access to A+ clients, expert coaching, and a strong professional network, we help talent and companies grow together - fuelling careers, innovation, and long-term success.
