Hi! I'm Alex.

In a Nutshell

• Based in Corvallis (Oregon) but originally from Brussels (Belgium).
• Worked in Geneva (Switzerland) for two years.
• Passionate about users, framing problems, and coming up with solutions.
• Believer in data and the scientific method.
• Intuition-driven people person.
• Explored 35+ countries. Progress is diversity.
• Surrounded by loving friends and family members.
• Married to an amazing human being.
• Frequently nerd sniped.
• How much reading is too much?

Below, you'll find things that I know really well and have practiced extensively (deep skills), things that I have done but not full-time (broad skills), and executive competencies.

Life is a journey, and I am continuously learning, through experience, education, and discussions. Hopefully, I can share a bit of it all.

Deep Skills

Competencies practiced and developed during the majority of my career.
Data Science, Engineering, and Management | Product Management

Data Science, Engineering, and Management

After three years as a data scientist, two years managing business development and IT (and acting Data Protection Officer), two years as a product manager for an open-source semantic data management suite, and a master's degree in mathematical engineering, I consider myself versed in all things related to data.

Product Management

Leading business development at Homeras, co-creating and launching SoSimply, managing the Blue Brain Nexus data management suite, and a Product Management Program at Vlerick Business School all show my love for problem framing and solving. I live and dream product management, and I continue to hone that competency every day.

Broad Skills

Competencies practiced and developed episodically during my career.
Digital Marketing | Product Design | Business Development | Software and Systems Engineering

Digital Marketing

With SoSimply, I organized the content strategy and initial online advertising through Facebook, Google, and Instagram during our pilot. On my free time, I coached acquaintances to set up their online businesses, start tracking leads, and advertise online.

Product Design

I have always had a special relationship with design. In the last four years, I have gradually taken more and more product design responsibilities. From internal products at Homeras to the Blue Brain Nexus frontend, and designing personal, professional, and scientific websites. Product Design is not limited to creating beautiful interfaces. It is a process. It is an end-to-end experience. It is caring for users and their diversity.

Business Development

Before knowing what product management was, I learned more traditional but particularly useful frameworks to develop a business. I learned to get the holistic view, and find new business opportunities.

Software and Systems Engineering

Sometimes you need to help the team. Sometimes you have a project in mind. Sometimes it's in your job description. I simulated tsunamis using finite elements in C++ at university. I have analyzed large datasets and designed machine learning pipelines in R and Python. Lately, I have been learning more about web development, first using Gatsby and styled-components, and now with Next.js and tailwindcss.

Leadership, Management, and Strategic Skills

Executive competencies practiced at one point during my career.
People Management | IT Strategy

People Management

I strive when I can help people. I like to hear people and learn more about them. I love to see them succeed. I've always ended up coaching and leading teams. When managing teams, I have learned the importance of clear requirements and extra-communication. We are all different and it makes us stronger together.

IT Strategy and Management

At Homeras, I spent two years in an IT leadership position. Part of my responsibilities was to improve efficiency and reduce costs. I have learned a great deal about successfully running an IT strategy, including many operational aspects.

Recommended Reads

Reading is a passion. I love to learn new things, and what better way to do so than read a book! Here is a small compilation of my preferred non-fiction books. You can check my Goodreads profile for the whole list.

Product

• Inspired: How to Create Tech Products Customers Love by Marty Cagan
• The Mom Test: How to talk to customers & learn if your business is a good idea when everyone is lying to you by Rob Fitzpatrick
• Measure What Matters by John E. Doerr
• Start with Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action by Simon Sinek
• Sprint: How to Solve Big Problems and Test New Ideas in Just Five Days by Jake Knapp
• Hooked: How to Build Habit-Forming Products by Nir Eyal

Design

• The Design of Everyday Things by Donald A. Norman

Management and Leadership

• Never Split the Difference: Negotiating As If Your Life Depended On It by Chris Voss
• The Phoenix Project: A Novel About IT, DevOps, and Helping Your Business Win by Gene Kim, Kevin Behr, George Spafford
• How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie
• Leaders Eat Last by Simon Sinek

Startups

• Zero to One: Notes on Startups, or How to Build the Future by Peter Thiel
• The Lean Startup: How Today's Entrepreneurs Use Continuous Innovation to Create Radically Successful Businesses by Eric Ries
• The Hard Thing About Hard Things: Building a Business When There Are No Easy Answers by Ben Horowitz