Woman and Job: Kim Dingler
You have those women who can really do everything. Running a million-dollar business, hosting a sleepover for the whole class in her backyard, looking good, and casually baking a cake when someone comes over for tea. And oh yes, if you want the perfect pearls when it comes to vacation destinations, you also have to go to Kim Dingler. For a year now, she has been ruling ACE, a growing conglomerate of agencies that connects cool brands with young consumers, where culture and technology meet. Before this, she worked at Talpa Media and prior to that, she ran her own advertising agency and even had, oh jealousy, her own champagne. Thank goodness she can also celebrate vacations so well that she sometimes almost forgets she has a job.
Describe your profession.
I lead the daily operations at ACE. ACE is a modern network of creative and technical agencies with offices in Amsterdam, Rotterdam, and Utrecht. I mainly work in Amsterdam at our headquarters; Club ACE. We work for brands like Porsche, Unilever, KLM, and recently for ABN AMRO.
How many hours do you work per week?
Varied, but my role has no set hours. You're actually always busy with it, but I can also switch off and enjoy life.
Did you imagine as a little girl that this would be your profession?
As a little girl, I said I wanted to take care of people, but I'm not really the type for that. I first came into contact with the advertising world during my student days. I think that's where the spark ignited.
What education have you followed and did you benefit from it?
I initially enrolled in psychology, but at the last minute, I switched to International Management. I had just returned from a year in Australia, and the international focus attracted me. It laid a good foundation for my finance and marketing knowledge.
‘Man up’. Not in the literal sense, but do present yourself as an equal.
What advice would you give your younger self?
‘Man up’. Not in the literal sense, but do present yourself as an equal. It's good to know your worth within a company. When I joined the management of a large Dutch multinational, someone said: ‘Look, we have another ponytail here.’ I would have made a joke about it right away today.
With a job like yours, you can't really speak of an average day. But take one that is reasonably representative and tell how it looks.
ACE has a fantastic building with its own barista. I start my day there with nice coffee from Malu. Then I spend most of the day in meetings with management about strategy and implementation. ACE is an entrepreneurial network, so I can definitely use that experience in my role. No day is the same.
Are you the type that separates work and private life or does everything flow together?
Over the years, I have become friends with many colleagues, so work and private life almost blend together. On vacation, I can really relax and then I think: oh yes, I still have a job.
Always reachable or type ’two phones and Monday you're the first’?
Always reachable when it's really necessary, but I prioritize what can wait.
What do you wear on a workday?
Heels, always heels. In sneakers, I probably wouldn't even be recognized.
Do you think about perfume and hairstyle? I can imagine that you occasionally want to make a strong statement with your look.
I'm not very busy with makeup and hair; they are almost always the same. ACE is a young and hip network that mostly shows up in jeans, trench coats, and sneakers. Making a real statement is especially true for the employees of our influencer agency Content Icons. They can look amazing.
We really know it: talking about money is not chic, but it's nice for the next generation to know what it roughly pays in this work. So can you give a rough indication? Are we above or below the Balkenende norm?
Above it.
And another point of attention: being a woman. Have you experienced a glass ceiling? The idea that you had to prove yourself more?
Like many women, I have experienced that too. It's not just because there are mainly men at the top, but also because they have a very good self-image. They also effortlessly pass things to each other. Women are more critical of themselves and each other. My advice: help each other! As Madeleine Albright said during a keynote: ‘There’s a special place in hell for women who do not help other women.’
I was 10-0 behind, but I had a strong vision.
Has there been a moment in your career that has been decisive for your career? Where you were quite proud of your action in hindsight?
At 27, I was approached for a job at Heineken through a headhunter. The profile required at least ten years of experience and a portfolio of million-dollar deals. They couldn't find the right candidate, so they started talking to young talent. Lucky me! I was 10-0 behind, but I had a strong vision. At the exit, the job was already secured, with the salary package of a senior. Check!
Photo credits: Sander Stoepker
