Jutta Buyse is the Director General of the ICA, the association of the currency industry – with members involved in the production, design, manufacturing, and distribution of currency. Prior to joining the ICA, she worked for the European umbrella organization of national lottery companies. She began her career as a trainee with the European Commission and gained valuable experiences at several public affairs consultancies.
With dual nationality of both Belgium and Switzerland, Jutta studied in Germany and the United States. She is a proud native of Brussels and enjoys cycling through the city as a means of clearing her head.
What inspired you to work in the international association sector? Would you recommend this career to others? Why/ why not?
I really appreciate that associations are about bringing people and organisations together and learning from each other, with discussions at a very high strategic level.
I definitely recommend the sector, in particular to young people starting their careers, for the exposure it gives to the strategic priorities of companies and their leadership.
How do you/ your association #EmbraceEquity? Does giving a voice and a space to diverse groups make for better results?
Our association promotes the use, availability, sustainability of cash and access to it, notably through the #CashMatters campaign. Cash promotes equality and equity as a public good that enables everyone to be involved in the economy and society, regardless of income or status. As such, it has a unique place in society.
The members of our association are based around the world and active across the globe. We bring central banks and experts from across the globe together for our Global Currency Forum conference. Our issues, our membership and our areas of activity are all global and diversity stands at the center of the activities of our member companies.
How important are diversity, equity, and inclusion for the future success of associations? What initiatives, projects and ideas can you share that help other understand the real value of DEI?
Diversity, equity, and inclusion are crucial. Without diversity, associations – like any organization – cannot operate at their optimum. Associations are built by allowing diverse views and different opinions, which are instrumental in helping associations achieve their desired objectives and goals.
Our Global Currency Forum conference aims to bring people from across the globe together and on stage. In my former association, we set up the Women in Lottery Leadership initiative as a means of bringing experienced leaders and newer staff members of lotteries together through a mentoring program.