Hi Esmeralda, thanks so much for taking the time to speak with us and for speaking at European Women in Technology! Firstly, tell us a little bit more about you and your career to date!

Hi! I’m Esmeralda Tijhoff, Product Manager and Open Source Officer at DICTU, a Dutch governmental IT service provider. My background is in web development as a Drupal developer and over time, I transitioned into Product Owner. I focus on shaping open-source strategy and helping teams work more openly and collaboratively. I’m deeply involved in the Drupal community: speaking at conferences, organizing events, and leading the Network of European Drupal Associations. I’m passionate about the power of open-source not just as a technology choice, but as a mindset that fosters innovation, inclusivity, and shared responsibility.

What are you looking forward to at European Women in Technology?
Honestly, I’m most excited about the energy that comes from bringing so many talented women in tech together. It’s rare to find a space where the focus is both on deep tech expertise and on amplifying underrepresented voices. I’m looking forward to connecting with others who are navigating leadership, innovation, and open collaboration in their own ways. I can’t wait to learn from their experiences. Also, our session is being presented by a great group of women from different organizations with whom I really enjoy working with, so that adds an extra spark!

What does the Leading the Digital Revolution theme mean to you?
For me, it’s about leading with intention. Technology is only as powerful as the people shaping it, and we have a responsibility to make sure the digital world we’re building is ethical, inclusive, and open. Leading the digital revolution doesn’t just mean inventing something new. It also means challenging outdated systems, democratizing access to tech, and lifting others up as we go. As someone working in government IT, I see huge potential in open source to revolutionize public services and empower people to build with -not just for- society.

What can attendees expect from your session?
Our session, Building Modern Websites with No-Code Drupal, is all about showing that powerful web solutions don’t have to be complex or out of reach. We’ll show how modern Drupal has evolved to support no-code and low-code approaches, making it easier for teams to build beautiful, flexible, secure websites, including teams without deep technical backgrounds. You’ll get practical demos, real-life examples, and hopefully walk away inspired to try something new, whether you’re a developer, designer, product owner, or something in between.

What is your biggest prediction for 2025 for technology?
I think we’re going to see a big shift in how organizations approach collaboration and transparency, especially in the public sector. Open source will no longer be seen just as a tool, but as a strategic framework for working more effectively across teams, countries, and communities. I also think AI will keep evolving rapidly, of course, but the standout stories will be about how we govern and guide that evolution in a way that serves everyone, not just a few. For example, AI is implemented in the Drupal CMS and can build websites for you by simply telling it what kind of features and feel your site needs!

Register for your place to join Esmeralda for her workshop 'Building Modern Websites with No-Code Drupal' at European Women in Technology on 25 - 26 June!