Dive into our worlds - Tamara Dirkse
Finding my voice
I’ve been at Prosus for ten years and when I look back, the biggest shift hasn’t just been in my skills - it’s been in me.
I never thought I’d be someone who speaks up or puts myself out there. But Prosus has changed that for me.
Through women’s confidence workshops, supportive leaders, and a culture that really invites you to contribute, something changed for me. Bit by bit, I started realising … I have something to say - and it matters.
Growing by doing
My path hasn’t been linear. I joined in accounting, then moved into treasury - a job I had never done before - and learned almost everything on the job. What made it possible was the people around me. My colleagues shared their knowledge, explained things patiently, and made space for me to grow.
I’ve always learned by doing: asking questions, trying things for the first time, and watching how others work. Prosus really encourages that. If you’re willing to try, people will back you.
That support gave me the confidence to take on something completely new, and it’s a big reason why I’ve stayed here so long.
“At Prosus, you grow by trying - even if it’s something completely new.”
Using my voice - and being heard
One moment really stands out for me.
A senior leader shared a long slide deck on Slack - great content, but a lot for people to read. So I tried something new. I put the slides into an AI tool, turned them into a short video, and sent it to him as a suggestion.
I didn’t know how he’d react, but he was completely open to it. It even led him to think differently about how he engages with the team, which meant a lot.
I can’t explain how empowering that felt.
Not because it was public - but because my idea landed. Because I spoke up. And because someone senior welcomed it.
For me, that’s exactly what the Prosus Way looks like in real life: See it. Say it. And know your voice can make a difference, no matter your role.
Discovering creativity in an unexpected place
Treasury isn’t the place people expect creativity to show up - but for me, it’s where I’ve discovered a whole new side of myself.
When our CEO set the goal for 30,000 AI agents, something clicked. I thought, let me just try this. I’d never built anything like that before, but with help from Toqan I created a simple agent for our team. It started by drafting our daily bank-rate emails. Then I added another step, and another. Now it helps organise replies, compare rates, and even makes our negotiations easier.
And it didn’t stop there — the more I tried, the more creative I realised I could be. I’ve started making simple videos, including one I filmed at home with my kids when Prosus acquired Just Eat Takeaway. I used AI tools to bring it together, posted it, and people loved it. A few years ago I would never have dared to share something like that.
AI didn’t just make me more efficient. It made me feel more confident, more creative - and excited to keep trying new things.
Belonging, connection and sharing
As a South African living in the Netherlands, belonging means a lot to me. And our Amsterdam office honestly feels like a home away from home. People are warm, curious, and always up for a chat. That feeling of connection has carried me through some big changes over the years.
And the more I’ve grown, the more I’ve wanted to help other people grow too. I see so much talent around me - people with great ideas. That’s why I’m passionate about getting people talking across teams a bit more.
I’ve also been thinking about simple ways to help people share what they’re working on across teams. Sometimes that small exchange is all it takes to spark something bigger. And Prosus really makes space for that.
What this journey means to me
When I think about my ten years at Prosus, what stands out isn’t just the roles I’ve held or the things I’ve learned - it’s how much I’ve grown as a person.
I’ve learned new skills.
I’ve discovered a creative side I didn’t know I had.
I’ve built things I never thought I could.
And most importantly, I’ve found my voice - and the confidence to use it.
Prosus has been a place where people back you, where ideas are welcomed, and where you’re encouraged to try, learn and share. And through all of that, I’ve grown into someone I’m really proud of.
“Prosus didn’t just help me develop. It helped me grow into the person I didn’t realise I could be.”
