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Hi, I’m Jan and welcome to my personal space on the web! My life revolves around three core pillars: my family, my health, and my passion for work. These priorities guide everything I do and shape the person I am today. Beyond my professional interests, I’m an avid reader always on the lookout for learning something new. In my leisure time, you’ll often find me tinkering on a new project, watching a movie, lost in the world of games, in my garden, or enjoying fine (preferably Italian) wine and food. I also cherish moments spent flâneuring, exploring the world at my own pace and soaking in new experiences. This blend of personal and professional interests defines me and fuels my approach to the challenges and opportunities presented to me.

Contact

Resume #

Overview #

Product and technology leader with 10+ years of building secure, privacy preserving products in regulated industries. Deeply embedded in the digital identity landscape, building infrastructure and platform for Verifiable Digital Credentials (VDC). Currently Chief Product Officer at Meeco, where I manage a distributed team of 5-15 engineers, product managers and test engineers across multiple time zones (EU and Australia). In this role I drive product strategy, platform architecture, and international projects.

Deep expertise in standards-based systems (FIDO, IETF, ISO, OIDF, W3C), regulatory compliance (eIDAS, GDPR, ISO 27001) and building systems at global scale (Australia, EU, Japan). Active contributor to OpenID Foundation DCP working group and speaker at the European Identity Conference (EIC).

Thrives in dynamic, startup-like environments where there is freedom to innovate. My first love is software where I can bring deep technical expertise, but my expertise extends to strategy, business, and management.

I’m used to working in an international environment, with people from different cultures and backgrounds from all over the world. I don’t mind speaking engagements and enjoy sharing my thoughts in written form on this website and LinkedIn.

Professional Experience #

  • Chief Product Officer at Meeco, 2019-now
  • CTO & Co-founder at Juru, 2017-2019
  • CTO at One2three, 2013-2014
  • CTO & Co-founder at Clubit, 2007-2019

Professional Experience #

Chief Product Officer @ Meeco (2019 - now) #

Strategic Leadership

  • Conceptualised and delivered SVX platform (2022-present): verifiable digital credentials platform enabling issuance, presentation, verification, and operation of credential schemes. Deployed and operational across EU and Japan.
  • Architected out-of-the-box identity verification solution using verifiable credentials, currently being trialed in Japan (Tokyo, Niseko) and South Korea for cross-border identity verification use cases.
  • Drive 1-5 year strategic planning, aligning product vision with global digital identity regulatory landscapes (e.g. eIDAS 2.0, TDIF).

Team Leadership and Development

  • Manage a team of 5-15 members across multiple time zones, fostering a culture of collaboration.
  • Develop a repeatable process for designing and delivering high-quality products. The process uses design and planning documents, reviews, and feedback sessions that work in a remote-first, asynchronous environment.
  • Use a combination of traditional and agile methodologies to ensure efficient and effective project delivery.
  • Mentored and coached team members to enhance their technical and leadership skills.

Technical and Regulatory Expertise

  • Apply standards from FIDO Alliance, IETF, ISO, OpenID Foundation, and W3C to ensure interoperability and compliance. Successfully participated in interoperability testing and certification programs.
  • Lead research and proof-of-concept initiatives exploring agentic commerce (using AP2), IC card integration with VDCs (NFC stack), bridging traditional account-based systems (e.g. OIDC) and VDCs, and integrating payments with verifiable credentials.
  • Validate implementations against regulatory frameworks and standards such as eIDAS 2.0 implementation acts, GDPR compliance, AGDIS, and other relevant regulations in environments where Meeco and its partners are operating.

Chief Technology Officer @ Juru (2016 - 2019) #

  • Co-founded a startup in personal data management during the early days of digital identity.
  • Built the first product prototype, including a consent engine for a major Belgian city.
  • Secured and delivered additional projects worth approximately €100K.

Chief Technology Officer @ One2three (2013 - 2015) #

  • Co-founded and developed an integrated ordering solution.
  • Built the first product prototype, comprising a web app and iOS app.

SAP Functional Analyst (2007 - 2019) #

  • Developed products to improve Master Data input, significantly enhancing efficiency.
  • Worked across various industries such as utilities, public services, manufacturing, and mining.

Self-Employed (2007(part)-2011(full)-now) #

  • Started as an independent developer, building websites, hosting services, and simple mobile games/apps.
  • Currently working as a management consultant, helping companies execute their strategies.

Industry & Government Engagement #

  • Active member of the Flemish Government’s VCMP committee facilitating secure and compliant digital exchange of personal data across government services (e.g. eLys platform for digital death registration across healthcare providers, funeral services, and local authorities)
  • Active contributor to OpenID Foundation’s Digital Credentials Protocols Working Group, shaping OpenID4VCI, OpenID4VP, and OpenID4VC HAIP specifications.
  • Regular speaker at European Identity Conference (EIC Berlin) for multiple consecutive years, presenting advances in cross-border identity verification in Asia Pacific region.

Technical Expertise #

  • Architecture & Infrastructure: Microservices, event-driven systems, API design, cloud-native architecture, Docker, Kubernetes, API gateways
  • Programming Languages: Ruby, Javascript, Typescript, Elixir
  • Security: Authentication, Authorization, Encryption, OWASP, penetration testing
  • Standards & Compliance: FIDO Alliance (CTAP), IETF (OAuth, JWT, SD-JWT), ISO/IEC (ISO 18013-5/-7, ISO 23220), and W3C (DID, Digital Credential API, VCDM)

Personal Projects #

Below is a list of personal projects that I created and maintain:

  • TimeBlockingApp: A personal productivity tool that helps users manage their time effectively. The concept is based on my personal experience with time management and the need for a simple, intuitive solution. Built using Ruby on Rails.
  • Flanons: A community-driven, inspirational travel app that helps users discover new locations and experiences that go beyond the ordinary. This is an ongoing project, where I wanted to learn how to use AI platforms. Built using Ruby on Rails.

Education #

  • Master in (Applied) Computer Science (Summa Cum Laude)
    2003-2006, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Belgium
  • Bachelor in Informatics (Honours)
    1999-2003, Karel de Grote Hogeschool Antwerpen, Belgium

Languages #

  • Dutch: Native
  • English: Fluent
  • French: Comprehension
  • Italian: Aspiring :)

Books #

I read mostly non-fiction, exploring a wide variety of topics. Below are some of my favourites:

  • Art of Action by Stephen Bungay
  • Escaping the Build Trap by Melissa Perri
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