Inge Murrer, Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of APG Pension Services, has been named Top Woman of Limburg 2026. The jury praised her as a strong, approachable and connecting leader who knows how to bring people along in a complex technological environment.
From trainee to CTO and now Top Woman of Limburg 2026. It is hardly a career path that could have been mapped out in advance. Inge Murrer studied Human Resources rather than IT but went on to become Chief Technology Officer of APG Pension Services. During the election evening on 5 November in Maastricht, she was selected ahead of fellow finalists Vivian Kersten of Rendiz | C3 Living and Margo de Kock of Stichting Wigwam.
Beforehand, Murrer mainly wanted to enjoy the evening. But as the decision drew closer, the nerves began to kick in. “You think: there’s nothing to lose. But I am quite competitive, so once I was there, I did want to win. I found it exciting, but above all, I really enjoyed it.”
Leadership without having the loudest voice
The jury followed the three finalists through five different stages of the selection process. According to the jury, Murrer stood out for her strong, approachable and connecting style of leadership. Particularly in a technological environment where men are still strongly represented, she demonstrates that leadership is also about calmness, empathy, clear choices and the ability to bring people along.
Murrer herself sees the award as more than recognition of her leadership style. She believes her career also shows that you do not have to follow a predetermined path. “You don’t have to follow the beaten track. You may end up somewhere completely different. Trusting your own path and staying authentic can take you to all kinds of great places. Women belong at the table when it comes to technology and AI, but that doesn’t mean you suddenly have to become someone else.”
Staying true to yourself
With some perspective, Murrer describes herself as ‘one of the guys’. Her main message is that people do not need to conform to a preconceived idea of who they should be in order to progress. “I think a lot of people are happy for me because that’s how they see me. Someone who started out on the work floor and ultimately ended up here. Perhaps that also shows that you can succeed by staying true to yourself and doing what you’re good at.”
She wants to continue sharing that message over the coming year. Murrer intends to use her title as Top Woman of Limburg to draw attention to leadership, seizing opportunities and the position of women in technology. She has already received the first requests to take part in various initiatives.