JongPGGM
Learning, connecting and having fun
Under 36 and working at PGGM? This means you are automatically part of JongPGGM. What started out as a casual social club has grown into a dynamic community for young professionals. JongPGGM brings young colleagues together, puts key topics on the agenda and actively contributes to shaping policy. Board members Femke Jorens (pension lawyer) and Sidika Ozdemir (ALM specialist) share more about their roles and the impact of JongPGGM.
In 2024, JongPGGM once again hosted a wide range of activities. From lively padel tournaments, a skiing trip and pub quizzes to sessions on job satisfaction, mental wellbeing and the housing market. For the latter, both a mortgage adviser and an estate agent were invited to share their insights. According to Sidika variety is exactly what makes JongPGGM work: ‘We believe in the value of diversity, including in what we offer. This is why we organise everything from expert sessions to social and sporting events, ensuring there is something for everyone.’
To learn from other organisations, JongPGGM also organises an annual study trip. This year, the group travelled to Berlin. Afterwards, participants presented their ideas to the executive committee (EC), who responded with genuine enthusiasm. Femke explains the EC really takes them seriously: ‘They don’t just listen, they actually act on the ideas we share. This shows us, and our members, that our voice truly matters.’
From sports to study trips
A bridge between young colleagues, HR and the EC
JongPGGM also plays an important role behind the scenes. During events, onboarding lunches and through surveys, the board gathers insights into what’s on young colleagues’ minds and what they experience at work. This input is shared with Human Resources (HR) and the Executive Committee (EC). According to Sidika, JongPGGM genuinely serves as a bridge between young people and policy-making: ‘We stay in regular contact with HR and the EC to make sure the voices of our younger colleagues are heard.’
Femke adds that JongPGGM actively asks young employees about the challenges they face at work and the support they feel they need: ‘By asking these questions regularly, young professionals feel taken seriously, become more engaged and help build real support for positive change'.
Turning ideas into reality
At JongPGGM, ideas often start small and spontaneously. An iftar at Sidika’s home with a few board members planted the seed for an organisation-wide version. Suggestions from a member survey led to exploring a regular joint office day on Fridays, and to organising an open conversation between EC member and CFRO Willem-Jan Brinkman and members of JongPGGM.
Sidika believes this is a clear example of what can happen when people are given the opportunity to contribute: ‘It’s great to see how small ideas can grow into meaningful initiatives.’
Femke adds: ‘It often begins with simply sharing a thought. You never know the impact it could have or the value it might bring to your colleagues.’
Organising together
At JongPGGM, members do not just share ideas, they actively get involved. In 2024, members helped organise activities such as the ski trip, the study tour and the end-of-year dinner through dedicated committees. For Femke this captures the spirit: ‘What is better than organising something you find important or simply enjoy? It makes JongPGGM feel like something we all share.”
Sidika also notices that energy among the members: ‘People genuinely enjoy contributing and getting involved in making things happen.’
What they gained
For Femke and Sidika, being on the board means more than just organising events. Femke explains how the experience has broadened her perspective: ‘I get to work with colleagues from different departments and contribute to a variety of topics that go beyond my daily responsibilities. It makes my job so much more interesting and enjoyable.’
For Sidika, it is a valuable experience as well: ‘I have been working at PGGM for two years now, and my role on the board has taught me a great deal about the organisation in a short time. It has given me the chance to get involved more broadly and contribute actively beyond my own role.’
Looking ahead to 2025
The theme for 2025 is Power in Work and Wellbeing. There will be a focus on topics such as investing and financial planning, work-life balance, sustainable living and working, and effective networking within a large organisation. Sidika highlights that PGGM remains committed to addressing what matters most to younger colleagues: ‘Our strength lies in listening. We pick up on what is going on among young people in the organisation and bring it to life through relevant activities.’
JongPGGM
Learning, connecting and having fun
Under 36 and working at PGGM? This means you are automatically part of JongPGGM. What started out as a casual social club has grown into a dynamic community for young professionals. JongPGGM brings young colleagues together, puts key topics on the agenda and actively contributes to shaping policy. Board members Femke Jorens (pension lawyer) and Sidika Ozdemir (ALM specialist) share more about their roles and the impact of JongPGGM.
From sports to study trips
In 2024, JongPGGM once again hosted a wide range of activities. From lively padel tournaments, a skiing trip and pub quizzes to sessions on job satisfaction, mental wellbeing and the housing market. For the latter, both a mortgage adviser and an estate agent were invited to share their insights. According to Sidika variety is exactly what makes JongPGGM work: ‘We believe in the value of diversity, including in what we offer. This is why we organise everything from expert sessions to social and sporting events, ensuring there is something for everyone.’
To learn from other organisations, JongPGGM also organises an annual study trip. This year, the group travelled to Berlin. Afterwards, participants presented their ideas to the executive committee (EC), who responded with genuine enthusiasm. Femke explains the EC really takes them seriously: ‘They don’t just listen, they actually act on the ideas we share. This shows us, and our members, that our voice truly matters.’
A bridge between young colleagues, HR and the EC
JongPGGM also plays an important role behind the scenes. During events, onboarding lunches and through surveys, the board gathers insights into what’s on young colleagues’ minds and what they experience at work. This input is shared with Human Resources (HR) and the Executive Committee (EC). According to Sidika, JongPGGM genuinely serves as a bridge between young people and policy-making: ‘We stay in regular contact with HR and the EC to make sure the voices of our younger colleagues are heard.’
Femke adds that JongPGGM actively asks young employees about the challenges they face at work and the support they feel they need: ‘By asking these questions regularly, young professionals feel taken seriously, become more engaged and help build real support for positive change'.
Turning ideas into reality
At JongPGGM, ideas often start small and spontaneously. An iftar at Sidika’s home with a few board members planted the seed for an organisation-wide version. Suggestions from a member survey led to exploring a regular joint office day on Fridays, and to organising an open conversation between EC member and CFRO Willem-Jan Brinkman and members of JongPGGM.
Sidika believes this is a clear example of what can happen when people are given the opportunity to contribute: ‘It’s great to see how small ideas can grow into meaningful initiatives.’
Femke adds: ‘It often begins with simply sharing a thought. You never know the impact it could have or the value it might bring to your colleagues.’
Organising together
At JongPGGM, members do not just share ideas, they actively get involved. In 2024, members helped organise activities such as the ski trip, the study tour and the end-of-year dinner through dedicated committees. For Femke this captures the spirit: ‘What is better than organising something you find important or simply enjoy? It makes JongPGGM feel like something we all share.”
Sidika also notices that energy among the members: ‘People genuinely enjoy contributing and getting involved in making things happen.’
What they gained
For Femke and Sidika, being on the board means more than just organising events. Femke explains how the experience has broadened her perspective: ‘I get to work with colleagues from different departments and contribute to a variety of topics that go beyond my daily responsibilities. It makes my job so much more interesting and enjoyable.’
For Sidika, it is a valuable experience as well: ‘I have been working at PGGM for two years now, and my role on the board has taught me a great deal about the organisation in a short time. It has given me the chance to get involved more broadly and contribute actively beyond my own role.’
Looking ahead to 2025
The theme for 2025 is Power in Work and Wellbeing. There will be a focus on topics such as investing and financial planning, work-life balance, sustainable living and working, and effective networking within a large organisation. Sidika highlights that PGGM remains committed to addressing what matters most to younger colleagues: ‘Our strength lies in listening. We pick up on what is going on among young people in the organisation and bring it to life through relevant activities.’