Marian Spier
Marian Spier is an entrepreneur and consultant and has been working in the tech industry since the early 1990s, where she was involved in a variety of projects: from complex intranet systems to serious games. In 2020, she set up the platform FEM-START, with the aim of closing the funding gap for female entrepreneurs.
In 2021, Marian’s book ‘Impact Lessons in personal and business leadership” was published, in which she shares life lessons and business experiences on a wide variety of topics. From daring to ask for what you want, listening to your intuition and dealing with prejudices, to her vision on leadership, role models, developing life strategies and finding work-life balance.
From 2005 to 2013, Marian was a manager and lecturer in cross media at the Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences, specializing in Communication and Multimedia Design. She set up her consulting company in 2013, with which she now serves a diverse range of clients in different industries, sectors and sizes. She has worked for the United Nations (UNOCHA), Unesco, TEDx in Europe and the Caribbean, TED.com, USAID, American University, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Municipality of Amsterdam, among others. She advises on tech, communication and inclusiveness.
Marian is coach and mentor for young female entrepreneurs from The Netherlands, Poland, The USA, Algeria, the Caribbean and Moldavia. She started the first Female Startup Award Programme in The Netherlands, and advisor, member of the supervisory board and board member of various non-profit and semi-governmental organisations, such as VO scholengemeenschap ZAAM, de Rutgers stichting, WeMakeTheCity, Well Made Productions and Stichting Het HEM.
Her projects appeared in various media like Harper’s Bazaar, Marie Claire, www.deondernemer.nl, Forbes.com, Volkskrant, NRC and FD. Marian won several awards, AO the Webby Award, Cannes Lions and the EU Business Angel Award. In 2013, 2017 and in 2019, she was voted one of the most Inspring Fifty Women in Tech in the Netherlands.
Marian speaks about
Technology and communication
‘When we deny the story, it defines us. When we own the story, we can write a brave new ending.’The many voices that communicate loudly via social networks have made it harder to find common ground. However, this is entirely possible, online as well as offline.
Technology and inclusion
“Diversity is being invited to the party, inclusion is being asked to dance.” Due to globalisation and the need for diversity in personalised products, inclusion has become an intrinsic necessity in tech and should no longer be regarded as an add-on.
Marian Spier at TEDx Erasmus University, Rotterdam: