22 July, 2025
#60 Portrait of a woman in finance: Kathleen Vergote
Could you tell us what you do and your journey in your career field?
Since 2021, I am the COO (Chief Operations Officer) for Baloise Belgium, managing all operational teams within Life and Non-Life. Baloise is one of the leading insurers in Belgium, offering a full range of property and personal insurance solutions for both individuals and small to medium-sized businesses. After graduating in Mathematics and Actuarial Science, I started my career in life insurance in 1992. I worked for various financial companies such as Federale, Citibank, ING, and MetLife. In 2008, I joined Mercator (currently Baloise) as Product Manager Life and became Director of Life Technology when Nateus was acquired. In 2018, I became CRO (Chief Risk Officer) within the Executive Committee.
What makes you feel empowered?
I feel most empowered when I can motivate and support employees in their growth and while leading a team toward shared success. As a team player, I feel that working together with others always energizes me a lot and brings out the best in my leadership.
I always try to approach challenges with confidence by staying grounded and pragmatic, considering the broader context and making decisions transparently. I believe it is important to occasionally step back from time to time to reflect and maintain perspective on what you are doing.
Has the industry changed since you started in terms of inclusion in the workplace? If so, how?
Today, women are increasingly stepping forward and confidently positioning themselves to grasp opportunities where possible. The landscape was very different when I began my career. I still remember that in my first role, I was not only the only woman but also the only Dutch-speaking executive within the company.
Is there a message you would give to your younger self?/ What is a piece of advice you would give to younger people who want to be in your position?
Focus on the things you are good at and enjoy doing - this will give you recognition and acknowledgement . Dare to pursue your dreams, even if they seem unattainable.
Lastly; it's okay to fail, you can learn a lot from it.
What are some questions you could ask your older self?
1) Would you have done things differently if you could go back in time?
I could have been more assertive from time to time in order to defend my position, but I have absolutely no regrets.
2) What are your plans and dreams for the years to come?
On a professional level, I’d say, chasing the extra mile that we offer Baloise and our clients, together with my colleagues.
On a personal level, I plan to enjoy life to its fullest, whilst giving back to our community. I also wish to continue my social engagement after my retirement, but that will not be in the near future. 😉
What does great leadership look like to you?
In my view, strong leadership is defined by the ability to inspire and motivate others through a clear vision whilst making, and executing, effective decisions. A strong leader inspires confidence, takes responsibility and ownership, and supports the team in achieving common goals as well as personal development.
What would be the change you wish to see/make in the financial services industry in the future?
The financial world is often perceived as an overly boring and theoretical world. On the contrary, the insurance industry is certainly also a people business. The human relationship between customer, broker, and company is at the heart of what we do. I hope that, in the future, our sector will be more valued for this dimension.
In what way can we as members of Wo.Men in Finance Belgium contribute to a positive change in the way the finance sector is perceived?
By emphasizing our human side. It would be great to give young people an insight into the financial world, demonstrating that it is a challenging sector with many opportunities, characterized by a people-oriented approach.
What does Inclusion mean to you?
Inclusion, to me, means creating an environment where everyone feels welcome, respected, and valued, regardless of their background, identity, or abilities.
Inclusion is about removing barriers and ensuring that everyone has equal opportunities to participate and contribute.
