Amir Arooni: The legacy of tech excellence and humanity

Amir Arooni is the COO of Bank Nederlandse Gemeenten, but his informal credential as a Diversity Leader is a title that’s especially close to his heart. Over the course of his career, he has led major digital transformations at ING, NN Group, and Discover Financial Services – where he has seen the business case for gender diversity proven time and again. He will be delivering a keynote at the upcoming RightBrains Celebration Event, where he will unpack his core recommendations to find focus (and humanity!) in an age of digital and technical acceleration.

Tech for good

When reflecting on what sparked his passion for the technology industry, Amir has always been conscious of the constant of change – in society, belief systems, and digitisation. He believes that technology has the ability to help society adapt and thrive; and to ultimately do good. “I believe that diversity, including gender diversity, is a key element in a healthy digital landscape,” he says. "And because it brings together a wide range of perspectives, experiences, and ideas that fuel innovation, challenge biases, and lead to more inclusive and effective digital solutions. Over the last decade, there has been increasing awareness, representation and supporting education programmes to get more women into the field, but there is more that can be done to find the right balance. Ultimately, a diverse team is better equipped to understand and serve a diverse world; customers are a diverse collective group, and diverse organisations cater better to their needs.”

The secret to creating high-performing communities

Throughout his career, Amir has built various exceptional multidisciplinary teams. He identifies two important aspects in his strategy: Firstly, he is focused on the concept of accountable leadership, a leadership style where individuals take full responsibility for their actions, successes, and failures. To him, an accountable leader is one who also strives towards absolute excellence and specialisation in his craft. He focuses on the concept of 'craftsmanship', because in the context of technology, craftsmanship means a deep commitment to quality, attention to detail, and pride in creating solutions that are not only functional but also elegant and enduring. It’s about being excellent in coding, mastering automated testing and deployment, building secure systems while managing risks effectively, and delivering reliable (technology) products that stand the test of time. True craftsmanship in tech reflects both technical skill and a mindset of continuous improvement and responsibility. The second is working with individuals who have cultivated the ability to work with others and who value collaboration. “If we can answer the question of how we can create value as a team, we are in a good spot to service clients and society,” he explains.

Finding focus in the age of acceleration

Conceptually, the theme of the 2025 RightBrains Celebration Event, where Amir will be delivering his keynote, refers to a technique called spotting, where ballerinas fix their gaze on a single point as they spin to maintain balance and avoid disorientation. Amir will delve into some of the universal aspects to help those within the industry to stay centered and purposeful as innovation accelerates, AI evolves by the day, and global instability adds further complexity. “To me, there are many things that stay universal despite constant change, and can help keep us grounded. Continuous learning toward your craft remains critical. The ability to work collaboratively will always help tech teams add value and create great products. Developing skills to remain agile and resilient in the face of challenges will be even more valuable in the future. So, in a nutshell: Learning, collaboration, resilience are the points I focus on to keep my edge.” Amir laughs when he adds: “And I won’t forget to mention that being kind to other humans and having fun in your life should be at the heart of it all.” 

The legacy of tech excellence… and humanity

When reflecting on the legacy he hopes to leave, Amir takes pride in his specialisation within digital technology. "I’d like to have made an impact in terms of modernisation, efficiency, and automation within the industries I’ve worked in. But more importantly, as a leader, I hope to have inspired those around me — encouraging them to embrace change, understand the broader context, and support one another in making things better every single day. I take pride in having created opportunities for others in my teams to grow, improve, and pursue their dreams. Helping people unlock their potential has been one of the most rewarding aspects of leadership. Lastly, I’ve always aimed to leave every environment I was responsible for in a better state than when I first arrived. If I’ve achieved that — alongside empowering others and driving meaningful progress — I’d be truly satisfied with what I’ve accomplished as a leader."

Want to see Amir in action? Register now for the upcoming RightBrains Celebration Event. If you're a woman with digital ambitions or a like-minded male ally, this event is the perfect opportunity to advance your career, network, and contribute to bridging the gender gap in digital technology.