In celebration of International Women’s Day and anticipation of the upcoming Women in Business event, we are excited to highlight the journey of IBA alumna Lobke Sels. Lobke began her academic journey at Tilburg University, where she completed her IBA studies and later earned a master’s degree in International Management. She began her professional career at Mazars as an Assistant Auditor before transitioning to KPMG. Starting as a trainee, Lobke’s dedication and expertise led her to her current role as COO of Technology at KPMG. In this role, she is responsible for overseeing both the financial and operational performance of the technology division.
Looking back: what excited you about studying IBA?
The international component was something I found really important. At that time, I wasn't exactly sure where I would see myself in the future. But one thing I did know was that I had always enjoyed law. However, when I started looking into it further, I realized it would take a long time to study law, and I was eager to start working at some point. So, I knew I wanted a program that wouldn't take too long to finish. Looking back, I ended up studying for quite a while, but that turned out to be fine! In general, IBA seemed like the best fit for me at the time. It offered a broad foundation, and I knew it would allow me to later explore a wide range of career options.
How would you describe your time as an IBA student? How did you experience that period?
I completed the three-year bachelor’s program, though it took just one extra summer because my thesis was delayed. Looking back, I feel I could have enjoyed my student life more. At the time, I was very focused, actively involved in a political party in my area, working at a small international candy company, and studying. It was all fun, but I never joined a student association, as I was already busy with other activities. I didn’t live in Tilburg, but I got to experience living away from home when I went to Barcelona for my third year, where I met some great people.
Did you experience any specific challenges during your studies?
During my studies, I faced a couple of challenges. One was homesickness while I was in Barcelona. It was tough at first, but I talked a lot with people about how I was feeling, and that really helped. Acknowledging it made a big difference, and over time, I got to know new people. The beautiful city, great weather, and surroundings also helped me adjust. Another challenge was my thesis. With a few things affecting my progress, I ended up in a situation where, just a month before the deadline, my advisor told me I would need to start over. It was a tough moment, especially since I had planned to graduate on time. But I pushed through and managed to finish it.
Many students experience a sense of uncertainty after graduating, often asking themselves, “What now?” How did you experience this?
I didn't really know what my next step would be right away. I graduated during the financial crisis, which didn’t help, and there weren’t many job opportunities. At that point, I started talking to a lot of people and figured out what I didn’t want to do. While I didn’t immediately have a clear direction, I realized that financial knowledge would be valuable in the future, especially with my involvement in politics. I later learned about part-time programs, where you could study one day a week and work the rest. This sounded perfect, so I decided to pursue an accounting program. About six months after graduation, I started at Mazars, balancing work with a program at Nyenrode to become a registered accountant.
Could you share how you eventually ended up in your current role?
After starting my accounting program, I met people at the Big Four who shared exciting stories about their work beyond auditing. At Mazars in Breda, I noticed there weren’t any women in the team, and while the work was valuable, I was drawn to the dynamic environment at KPMG—so I made the move and never regretted it. At KPMG, I followed the typical path in accountancy, but through a mentor program, I reflected on my IBA background and realized I wanted to help companies move forward, not just look back. When the Trust & Growth strategy needed implementation in the Netherlands, I took on that responsibility alongside my audit work. However, eventually, balancing both roles while expecting my first child became too much, so I fully transitioned into management. By then, I had also completed my qualification as a registered accountant, marking the start of a new chapter.
What advice would you give to current IBA students?
Talk to people you connect with—those you feel you can learn from and who make you feel comfortable. Be honest with yourself about what feels right and what doesn’t. Most importantly, explore the world. For me, speaking with many different people, seeking advice, and figuring out what suited me best was incredibly valuable.
Is there anything you would specifically like to share with our female readers?
I hope that one day this won’t need to be a separate question. My daughter is five now, and I hope that by the time she graduates, these conversations will no longer be necessary. That said, surround yourself with people who are genuinely motivated to support you. My current manager happens to be a woman, but before that, I mostly worked under men—some very supportive, others less so. I’ve learned a lot from navigating those situations, trying not to take things personally but instead treating them as experiences to learn from. Everyone comes with their background and perspectives, and understanding those differences helps.