Meet Ann Demesmaeker, Executive Assistant to the CEO at Dstny. From supporting strategic leadership to keeping operations running smoothly, Ann plays a central role in the daily rhythm of the company. In this edition of “Meet Our Employees,” she shares her perspective on hybrid work, her routines for staying connected, and what makes working at Dstny unique.
Can you tell us a bit about your background and how you ended up in your current role?
After almost 20 years in a media company, I felt the need to get to know another company, other people. I needed an energy boost. And when I came to Dstny, 7 years ago, I felt that energy, that eager to grow. And I jumped. 4 years ago for Daan it became increasingly busy and I already knew many things so I rolled into my current position.
What does a typical day look like for you — especially in a hybrid work environment?
My day starts with reviewing the agenda, priorities, and emails—whether I’m working from home or at the office. Throughout the day, I coordinate appointments, follow up on action items, and manage communication across departments. Tools like Microsoft Teams, cloud telephony, and shared documents allow me to stay connected and responsive from anywhere.
What’s your favorite part of your job?
One of my favorite parts is connecting with colleagues across all levels of the organization. That human connection and the variety of interactions really energize me.
What’s been the most unexpected learning or challenge in your role so far?Stepping into the role required me to become even more proactive in anticipating needs, sometimes before they’re even voiced. Balancing priorities across departments, leadership, and unexpected calendar shifts taught me to stay flexible while staying ahead.
How has your role evolved since joining Dstny?
I started in a broader administrative capacity, but as the company grew and Daan's schedule became more demanding, my role became more strategic and integrated with leadership planning. I now support more high-level decision-making and internal coordination than ever before.
What does “making hybrid work actually work” mean to you?
I can be reached on various communication platforms even though I work elsewhere. That communication goes fast which is important these days. But to really tune in well, human contact is also important.
How do you structure your days to stay productive when working remotely?When I work remotely, I can focus much better. In the office this is a little more difficult but that is a good balance. Do you have any personal rituals or tools that help you stay connected and organized across locations? I rely heavily on structured to-do lists and calendar alerts. Color-coded categories help me visualize different priorities. What are some challenges of hybrid collaboration and how do you overcome them?One challenge is keeping spontaneous communication alive, those quick hallway updates don’t happen online. To overcome that, I sometimes proactively message colleagues just to check in or clarify things. It keeps us all in sync even when apart.Do you think hybrid work has changed the way we communicate internally? If so, how?Yes, definitely. Communication has become more intentional. We rely more on chat tools, quick video calls, and shared docs but at the same time, it’s made us more thoughtful about when face-to-face meetings are really needed.What advice would you give to others trying to navigate hybrid work successfully?Build structure into your day, even at home. And don’t hesitate to overcommunicate, assumptions can cause confusion. Transparency is key when people aren’t in the same room.
How do you stay aligned with leadership and cross-functional teams when not always in the same location?
Regular check-ins. I also make sure I know what’s coming up next so I can prep the necessary.
What are the small things that make hybrid work more human?
Taking the pressure off and maintaining a healthy work-life balance.
What does the ideal hybrid work week look like for you?
A good mix: two to three days at the office for in-person meetings and spontaneous chats and the rest working remotely for deep focus and admin work.
If you could design the perfect hybrid-friendly workspace, what would it include?
Quiet focus zones, comfortable collaboration areas, and lots of natural light. Also good tech setup for seamless video calls and a coffee corner with good coffee to keep the human connection alive! This has been taking into account during the setup of Dstny HQ.
What are you most looking forward to in your role or at Dstny this year?
Continuing to support leadership through change and growth. There’s always something new happening, and being part of those transitions is both challenging and exciting.
If you had to describe your journey with Dstny so far in one word, what would it be – and why? Speedy! It goes fast sometimes. And then I need to see the bigger picture. Where are we going? What are we going to do? If you could swap roles with someone at Dstny for a day, who would it be and why?Maybe someone from our Product Team. I’d love to see the technical side of what we deliver and how ideas go from concept to solution. It would give me a deeper appreciation for how everything connects.Ann’s story is a testament to the power of human connection and adaptability in a fast-paced, hybrid work environment. Her ability to balance structure with spontaneity, and her proactive approach to staying aligned with leadership, highlight just how essential her role is to Dstny’s day-to-day operations and long-term success.
From her roots in media to her strategic position today, Ann has embraced change with enthusiasm and grace. Whether she’s organizing the CEO’s agenda or bridging communication across departments, she brings both warmth and precision to everything she does.
As Dstny continues to grow and evolve, it’s clear that Ann’s steady presence and energetic outlook will continue to be a vital part of the journey.
