Johana ten Hove

Senior Manager, Switzerland

Johana was working with a law firm in Zurich as a senior IT and information security project manager when the opportunity to work at Protiviti came up. The leadership team was keen on extending Protiviti Zurich’s offerings to include privacy and security expertise, and needed someone to build and lead their new technology consulting practice. Johana was the perfect person for the job. Tasked with expanding the practice to meet client needs, and establishing herself locally as a cyber security and privacy expert, while mentoring colleagues, Johana stepped up to care for and propel the success of her clients and colleagues.

"She passionately believes in encouraging diversity and empowering women and is well supported in this by Protiviti Switzerland, which is led by a woman and has achieved gender parity among its employees."

Expanding the Practice to Meet Client Needs

Tasked initially with devising the client offering and building project and client portfolios, Johana recollects it was similar to starting her own business. The only technology consultant in the office for several months, she singlehandedly expanded the practice to meet client needs. She also prioritised creating a global network of contacts within Protiviti and an external network of clients and industry leaders. She says all her current team members boast an entrepreneurial mindset – open–minded, excited by challenges, and willing to take ownership of their work.

Pursuing Excellence through Diversity

Johana’s proud that Protiviti Switzerland’s technology consulting practice currently has more women than men – not a regular representation of the technology industry. She passionately believes in encouraging diversity and empowering women and is well supported in this by Protiviti Switzerland, which is led by a woman and has achieved gender parity among its employees. In 2022, to help care for and support the women on her team, Johana established the Switzerland branch of GET IT, a Protiviti employee networking group that began in the U.S. with the goal of creating greater gender diversity in technology and IT fields. GET IT enables her team to connect regularly with their colleagues working in technology consulting in the U.S. and elsewhere, and expand their networks within and outside the firm.

Johana also believes in the value of mentoring, and has enrolled her team into the Protiviti international programme. She’s a mentor to Protiviti colleagues in other countries and is herself a mentee to a senior Protiviti leader based in the U.K.

Extending her Care Beyond the Office

While Johana has a full plate at work, she still finds time to volunteer with organisations such as ISACA and the Project Management Institute. She believes it’s a way of giving back to the profession and keeping her networks current.

All in all, it’s been a hectic few years, but she doesn’t regret her decision to join Protiviti for a moment. “The opportunities are endless,” she says. “You’ve got to be comfortable with being uncomfortable at times, and you need plenty of drive to make it happen. But I don’t see how I would be able to do so much anywhere else, with this level of support.”

By going out of her way to care for her clients, colleagues and practice, Johana’s story is a shining example of Life At Protiviti.