Smith Katja

Katja Smith (1979), Business Unit Lead Infrastructure Services at Inetum, manages the backbone of enterprise IT for some of Belgium’s largest public and private organizations. Promoted to this key role in May 2025, she leverages 25 years of experience to drive operational excellence in outsourcing.

Smith’s unit is a strategic pillar for Inetum, serving clients like Ontex, De Watergroep, and FostPlus. Under her leadership, the division has achieved customer satisfaction scores notably 5% above the Belgian market average. Her strategy focuses on building resilient, future-ready delivery models, including the strengthening of Inetum’s nearshore footprint to ensure scalable and cost-effective solutions. She combines this with a focus on cross-functional collaboration, ensuring that operational execution aligns with business strategy.

Smith differentiates herself through a leadership style that embraces ‘female energy’ as a strategic asset. It allows her to approach change with empathy, to see connections others might miss, and to contribute to team dynamics in a unique and valuable way. She explicitly advocates for authenticity, arguing that ‘embracing who I am—including my flaws—has made me stronger’. As a senior leader, she views it as her responsibility to be a visible role model, actively participating in Women in ICT initiatives and demonstrating that leadership in infrastructure is defined by capability and vision, not gender.

She strives to be a mentor and role model for other women in the ICT industry. ‘I’m committed to fostering an inclusive environment where diverse talent can thrive, and where leadership is accessible to all, regardless of background or gender’, she states. Ultimately, she endeavors to lead with integrity, inspire through action, and contribute to a culture of excellence, collaboration, and continuous growth.