bloom: Lara van Cotthem
Architecting systems and her own path at Telenet group
company: Telenet
Job title: Manager Technology Architecture
When Lara Van Cotthem talks about her work, her passion is contagious. At just 26, she’s already leading a team of software architects at Telenet group. But her journey didn’t begin in a boardroom, it started with a colourful Macintosh, parents in tech, and a lifelong love of building, gaming, and pushing herself.
Tech in her DNA and a little Xbox magic
Lara grew up with tech all around her. Both of her parents worked at Apple during its golden years, and later her mom worked at Microsoft. “I have pictures of me as a toddler with a chunky old Macintosh”, she laughs. “When the first Xbox came out, I was hooked. That’s when my love for gaming — and technology — really took off.”
Inspired by her parents’ careers and supported by a tech-savvy home environment, Lara naturally gravitated toward engineering. “I considered medicine at one point — I wanted to be a surgeon — but I didn’t have a network in that world, and I knew how much that mattered. So I chose industrial engineering with an IT focus. Looking back, I’m so glad I did.”
“When the first Xbox came out, I was hooked. That’s when my love for gaming — and technology — really took off.”
From zero knowledge to perfect match
Fresh out of university and during the middle of the pandemic, Lara applied for Telenet Group’s Young Graduate programme. “I didn’t even know what kind of roles existed in IT”, she says. “I loved programming, but I didn’t want to do it all day, every day. I know my strengths, I’m someone who thrives on connecting people, shaping ideas, and seeing the bigger picture.”
Telenet Group saw something in her and suggested she might be a fit for a software architect role. “I didn’t even know software architects existed”, she admits. “But the mix of technical depth and strategic collaboration sounded interesting. So I jumped in, without really knowing what I was jumping into.”
It turned out to be a perfect match. “Honestly, I got really lucky. I landed in a role that fits me so well. I still say: huge credit to Telenet group for seeing that potential in me.”
From junior architect to team lead
Lara started as an architect in a team of senior experts; most of them men, many of them with more than 15 years of experience. Five years later, she’s now their team lead. “It was a strange transition”, she says. “Some of them were my mentors when I started. Now I’m leading the team. But I’ve always gravitated towards strategic, outward-facing parts of the work — the stakeholder engagement, the alignment — so the shift felt natural.”
“You can shape the role around your strengths. Some architects go deep into code. I focus more on long-term strategies — cloud, AI, future systems — and on connecting teams across the company.”
"Her role today is about steering Telenet group’s technology direction and making sure the company’s systems are ready for what’s next. "We make sure the teams in Telenet group have the right building blocks: the tech stack, integrations, and patterns that let teams move faster and safer. In the end, it’s about making smart technology choices today so Telenet Group can keep evolving tomorrow.”
And architecture, Lara says, is broader than many people realise. “You can shape the role around your strengths. Some architects go deep into code. I focus more on long-term strategies — cloud, AI, future systems — and on connecting teams across the company.”
Making her mark: from invisible to unforgettable
One project Lara is particularly proud of involved implementing a completely new internal tool at Telenet group. “In my second year, we ran a Request for Proposal for a tool we’d never used before — and I helped lead the rollout.”
Getting buy-in wasn’t easy. “We had to convince teams across the company to use something totally new. So I basically launched a marketing campaign: presentations, training videos, posters, you name it. It was like a marketing effort from IT.”
Today, the tool is used by over a thousand people. “That project gave me huge visibility. Some people would refer to it as ‘Lara’s tool’, even leadership. It wasn’t a typical approach, but it worked.”
When things don’t go as planned
Of course, not every challenge ends in a success story. Lara recalls a particularly tough period when she was asked to temporarily replace a veteran architect leading the Fibre to the Home initiative.
“He went on a long hiking trip — a dream of his — and I had to step in. But the context was massive, and I didn’t have the background. I felt like I couldn’t fill those shoes, not even halfway. That was hard.”
Her solution? Focus. “I chose to go deep on a few key areas instead of spreading myself too thin. It was a valuable learning experience, even if it didn’t feel like a win at the time.”
Imposter syndrome is real, but don’t self-reject
Despite her accomplishments, Lara is candid about self-doubt. “When I first joined Telenet group, I had massive imposter syndrome. Everyone around me was so experienced. And now, in my new role, that feeling comes back sometimes.”
Her mindset (and a tip for other women in tech)? “I try not to say no to myself. Let someone else say no, but don’t rule yourself out before you even try. If I see an opportunity that feels just a bit out of reach, I go for it anyway. That mindset has brought me so far.”
She credits much of her growth to the people around her at Telenet Group. “I’ve had amazing mentors, people I could learn from just by watching. And I had real sisterhood, too. Katrien Andries, a colleague, and I supported each other into leadership roles. We pushed each other, spoke up for each other. That meant a lot. Having people supporting you or a sisterhood as I have is a massive help.”
The yellow vibe and why she’s still here
Lara has only ever worked at Telenet Group, but says she understands why so many people stay. “There’s something about the culture. People grow here, and not just up the ladder. You can specialise, switch domains, try new things. One colleague has done everything from HR to marketing to IT. It’s a place where visibility is earned, and where people are given room to shine.”
Hierarchy exists, she says, but it’s not stifling. “Even as a junior, I worked directly with senior leaders. It never felt like I had to fight for visibility.”
And beyond work? Space games and deadlifts
Outside the office, Lara is all about balance. “I’ve had phases where I trained like a bodybuilder, very intense weightlifting. These days I’m a lot more chill, but still active.”
She’s also a passionate gamer. “I used to play tons of Overwatch, but now I’m into more engineering-style games. Think Satisfactory or No Man’s Sky: space, building, sci-fi. I like games where you build things from the ground up. No surprise there, right?”