Katrien Van Parijs
Interim/Fractional CTO
Based in Netherlands · 15+ years experience
Summary
Senior technology leader and advisor, helping organisations shape and execute technology strategy that drives business goals.
About
I am a technology leader and advisor who combines broad technical expertise with business acumen and sound judgement. I help organisations set their technology direction and turn it into action.
I hold a Master of Science in Engineering: Computer Science from KU Leuven and started my career as a software developer. Since then, I have worked across start-ups, scale-ups, SMEs and large organisations in a range of industries, particularly financial services and medtech. I have held CTO and other technology leadership roles, led teams of up to 120 professionals and worked closely with CEOs, Boards and management teams.
Organisations typically bring me in when they need experienced technology leadership or an independent perspective on technology challenges and opportunities. This may involve setting technology strategy, scaling technology capabilities for growth, modernising legacy systems, addressing technical debt or vendor dependency, reviewing architecture and sourcing, making technology investment decisions, or reshaping technology teams and operations.
Working with engineers and architects, as well as CEOs and management teams, I connect technical decisions with business priorities. I critically assess technology options, consider wider implications and clarify the trade-offs in both technical and business terms.
Skills
Software Architecture, Cybersecurity, Engineering Leadership
Regions covered
Industry experience
Government, Fintech, Retail, SaaS, Education, Healthcare
At a glance
Katrien brings hands-on experience across Software Architecture, Cybersecurity, Engineering Leadership. Available for engagements across Europe. Industry experience includes Government, Fintech, Retail, SaaS, Education and 1 more.
How fractional CTO engagements with Katrien work
Katrien works on a fractional basis — typically one to three days a week for an agreed engagement length — so you get senior technical leadership without the cost or commitment of a full-time hire. Engagements commonly include technical due diligence, board reporting, engineering team leadership, technology strategy, architecture reviews, hiring support, and stepping in as interim CTO during a transition.