Lara Pyko

Mendix is a special place. If you’re thinking, “that’s what every Chief People Officer of every company ever says,” you’re probably not wrong. But allow me to tell you why our special is just a bit more special than everyone else’s.

Our people and our product make the difference. In that order. We are operating in a hyper-growth environment where we democratize app development. No one is too big or too small to make a huge difference. That’s not to say we don’t have a hierarchy – it just means it doesn’t matter much when you’re working collaboratively towards a goal. That’s no more evident than on the People & Culture team. We are a diverse group of innovative and passionate people who empower the world to get creative. I’m proud to work shoulder to shoulder with my team to help make that happen.

You may notice I said P&C helps create that environment. That’s because at Mendix, building the culture is part of everyone’s DNA – not just People & Culture. And really, it’s hard to actually capture the culture of a company and put it in words. But because we’re Mendix we did it anyway. It’s called Mendix Blue and it’s our beliefs, values and everything else in between. Hell, it even has its own color hex code for all you design folks (#0CABF9). I relate to all our Mendix Blue values but “Think Big” really resonates with me. It means we don’t compromise long-term value over short-term profit. We want to win the long and short game while creating lasting impact.

The People & Culture team is focused on making the Mendix experience a great one for everyone who walks through our physical or virtual doors. My days are never dull or predictable and I feel fortunate to be surrounded by incredibly talented and fun people who are so committed to empower the world to Go Make It. It’s what motivates me to get up every day and go to work.

I am originally from the Nürnberg area in Germany, and I now live in Berlin. When I’m not looking at my computer screen, you can find me skiing in the winter, close to water in the summer or when I’m lucky on holiday in Italy – it’s one of my favorite places to vacation. Looking back, if there was one thing I would tell 18-year-old me about the career journey, it would be pay close attention to the energy of your environment – it will shape who you become. Also, no matter what you think or have been told, bangs will NOT be a good look for you!