At CoNet, each colleague brings unique value to the team.
In our #CoNetStory series, we showcase how our team members’ personal passions inspire their professional expertise.
”Forward thinking is the most important ingredient.”
Meet our Project Administrator Liz Diesveld.
This is her #CoNetStory
From hospitality to project precision
Before joining CoNet, Liz spent 15 years in hospitality, working in hotels, catering and event management.
“I studied hotel management and started working in the industry at 16 years old. I ran teams, managed schedules for 40 people, and learned to stay calm under pressure. People who’ve worked in hospitality will recognize this; every day was fast-paced, demanding, and rewarding,” she recalls with a smile.
These experiences taught her the value of organization, multitasking and working with deadlines. Skills she now brings to her role as Project Administrator. “People often tell me I radiate calm, no matter how busy it is. That’s definitely something I learned in hospitality.”
Lessons learned from patisserie
Liz discovered her love for baking through a 20-day patisserie course at the Bakery Institute, a place she first noticed looking out the window of the CoNet Zaandam office, which happens to be located in the same old chocolate factory.
“Do you believe in coincidence?” she laughs. “Baking teaches and requires patience, focus, and attention to detail. Every ingredient and step matters.”
Growing up with Indonesian roots, Liz says she always enjoyed cooking, but baking introduced a new layer of precision and creativity. “To be honest I’m not really into sweets, so I don’t bake for myself. I gain the most energy from seeing people’s reactions.” Colleagues’ favorite? The ‘spekkoek cookies’, infused with Indonesian spices.
Lay out the steps that work for you
Liz joined CoNet five years ago in Accounting. Today, she ensures projects run smoothly by managing Purchase Orders (PO), managing project finances and planning monthly billing cycles.
“I like to plan ahead and stay organized. Tracking project finances isn’t exciting per se, but it ensures nothing falls through the cracks. It’s like following a recipe. You have to stick to the steps to get the right result,” Liz explains.
She values independence but thrives on collaboration. “Whenever I suggest an improvement, my manager tells me to go for it. That freedom motivates me to do my best work.” Over the years, she’s also learned to set boundaries. “I’ve learned to focus on what I can control. You can’t do everything, and that’s okay. Even in baking, you can’t make macarons in the rain!”
Liz’s advice looking ahead
Liz approaches every day with the same care and precision she applies to baking. Her advice:
“Stay organized, plan ahead, and celebrate the results. We tend to only celebrate the end result, but it’s important to remember every detail that went into achieving it.”
– Liz Diesveld, Project Administrator at CoNet
#CoNetStory #WorkingAtCoNet #PeopleFirst
