Sanne Houtappels is a consulting partner at Valcon, based in the Netherlands. Her career in consulting is a testament to the power of curiosity, adaptability and the willingness to embrace new challenges. With a strong academic foundation and a passion for problem-solving, Sanne has steadily climbed the career ladder at Valcon, demonstrating that success in consulting is as much about mindset as it is about expertise.
An interesting educational background
At school, Sanne discovered a love of languages and culture, which led to a Spanish degree at university. But a career in teaching, translation or diplomacy wasn’t for her. Instead, she decided to follow her interest in analysing and advising, so pursued a master’s degree in organisational science (change management) and intercultural communication. The switch led to her career in consulting.
First steps in consulting
Sanne’s consulting career began early – while still completing her master’s studies, she took on a part-time junior consultant role. One of her first projects involved working within a recently merged hospital, analysing their processes, cultural integration and ways of working. This hands-on experience ignited her passion for consulting – she found that she derived a lot of satisfaction from helping organisations evolve and operate more effectively. By the time she completed her studies, she knew she had found her calling and became a fully-fledged consultant.
Career milestones
Sanne’s career has been shaped by her willingness to embrace opportunities beyond her comfort zone. She’s always said ‘yes’ to a challenge, whether that’s leading a workshop early in her career, managing one of Valcon’s largest accounts in an unfamiliar industry, or stepping up to lead the company’s change practice. Today, she leads Valcon’s NL consulting practice, a role that she tackled with the same resilient approach that has defined her career.
What has driven her success? The belief that new challenges – even those outside of her expertise – offer the most valuable learning experiences.
The value of mentorship
Sanne talks about the crucial role that mentorship has played in her career. Throughout her journey, she has been fortunate to work with leaders who saw potential in her and believed in her ability to succeed, even when she was at the start of her career. These voices of encouragement gave her the confidence to take on ambitious roles.
But mentorship isn’t limited to the workplace. Sanne credits her children as being her best mentors, providing a different perspective and grounding her during high-pressure moments. Having children reminds her of the importance of balance and perspective in both work and life.
Advice for women entering consulting
For women embarking on a career in consulting, Sanne offers straightforward but powerful advice. Firstly, to be yourself – authenticity is key to success in any field. Secondly, to recognise your value and appreciate what you bring to the table. The last would be to set clear boundaries – you need to be able to balance work and personal life. Whether it’s making time for family or personal priorities, setting boundaries ensures long-term success and well-being.
Sanne also makes the point that consulting – even though it’s demanding – can be flexible and consultants often have the opportunity to shape their schedules in ways that work for them.
The future
Sanne’s story highlights that career progression in consulting is not about having all the answers from day one – it’s about having the courage to take on new challenges, the humility to learn along the way and the resilience to keep moving forward. Her story is one that a lot of consultants starting out in the industry can take a lot from. Sanne shows that success is a combination of expertise, adaptability and a willingness to embrace the unknown.
Want to know more about Women at Valcon? Take a read here.
