Employee Spotlight: Henk Snepvangers
Meet Henk Snepvangers, AI Project Lead at KickstartAI. With a background in industrial engineering and operations management, and logistics, he enjoys working where business, technology, and execution come together. We spoke to him about his path into AI, what motivates him, and why he enjoys turning ideas into solutions that people will use.
What do you do at KickstartAI?
I'm an AI Project Lead. Basically, I help turn ideas into real projects. A big part of my role is connecting different people: partners, clients, technical teams, and our own colleagues. We often get involved at a very early stage, when there's still just an idea or a challenge on the table. Together, we figure out where AI can add value and then work towards something that can be implemented and adopted in practice.
I really enjoy being that link between business and technology.
What's your background?
I studied industrial engineering and later completed a master's in Operations Management & Logistics.
After graduating, I joined Picnic. I was looking for a fast-paced environment where I could learn quickly and take ownership, and it turned out to be a great fit. I spent a lot of time working at the intersection of operations, business, and technology, often together with engineering teams.
That's where I discovered that I really enjoy translating business needs into something technical teams can build and deliver.
How did you get into AI?
AI is becoming increasingly important and it's clear that it's going to change a lot over the coming years. Since I already enjoyed working closely with engineers and developers, moving into AI felt like a natural next step.
Before joining KickstartAI, I spent quite a bit of time learning the fundamentals through books, online courses, and conversations with people working in the field. I don't come from a highly technical background, but I've learned that curiosity and a willingness to keep learning can take you a long way.
What motivates you in your work?
Impact. I get a lot of energy from working on projects that create tangible results. In previous roles, that impact was often focused on business outcomes, but at KickstartAI I also get to work on projects with a broader societal impact.
For example, we're currently exploring how AI can support investigations into environmental crime together with the police. Even small improvements in that area can have a meaningful effect.
What do you enjoy about working at KickstartAI?
The variety. We're a relatively small team, but there's always something happening. Besides client projects, there are events, meetups, ecosystem activities, and collaborations with all kinds of organizations.
I also enjoy working with people who have very different backgrounds and expertise. That mix brings a lot of energy and keeps things interesting.
What makes KickstartAI unique?
For me, it's the way we work with partners. We're not just there to deliver something and move on. We work closely together to make sure projects actually lead to adoption and lasting impact.
That hands-on approach creates practical examples of how AI can create value, and hopefully helps other organizations see what's possible as well.
What advice would you give to people considering a career in AI?
Just start. You don't need a deeply technical background to work in AI. Of course, it helps to understand the basics, but there are many different ways to contribute.
Skills like project management, stakeholder management, communication, and helping organizations navigate change are incredibly valuable too. AI needs more than just engineers.
Fun fact?
I'm really into bike-packing. Most of my holidays over the last few years have involved cycling through places like Thailand, the Canary Islands, Italy, France, Belgium, Germany, and the Netherlands.
I've also completed two marathons, which is something my younger self would never have expected. Back then, I definitely wasn't much of a runner, so it's been fun to see how far consistency can get you.
