Who are the inspiring people behind Popay? Today, meet: Dorien Gielen
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Published on
16 Apr 2025
Meet Dorien Gielen from Popay
You can’t miss Dorien if you see her walk by. That enthusiastic smile. That look that says, “Bring it on.” And if you don’t see her, you’ll definitely hear her—she’s always in a conversation, or as she likes to say, “having a good chat.”
As Head of Payroll Services, Dorien spends her days supporting clients and empowering her team.
Time to meet this inspiring woman!
Dorien, tell us a bit about yourself—who are you and where are you from?
“I was born in North Limburg and after my studies, I stayed in the Leuven area. That’s where I live now with my husband and our two daughters, aged 9 and 5.”
That’s quite a move south! How did you end up at Popay?
“In my previous job as a consultant, I spent all my time at client sites. I was looking for a role where I could still work with clients, but also take part in internal projects. Then I came across the Popay vacancy… and it was an instant match.”
It was meant to be! So what exactly is your role at Popay?
“My role has evolved a lot in the eight years I’ve been here. In the beginning, I mainly worked on projects. Now, I spend 85% of my time on project management. I also lead the Popay team, especially for transformation projects—think system migrations or software implementations. We support the whole process.
I also stay in close contact with our clients as their main point of contact, and sometimes I handle internal tasks for Popay and the team. It’s a nice mix.”
Take us through a typical day in the life of Dorien?
“No day is the same—and that’s one of Popay’s strengths. It’s a relatively small company with lots of flexibility and autonomy. That means you often take on different roles and switch gears quickly. I usually work at the office or at a client site, and I have lots of calls. I’m constantly coordinating and communicating. And when I’m in the office, everyone knows it—I’m hard to miss!”
Sounds fun! And what exactly do you do at the client’s site?
“One day a week, I work onsite for one of our major clients. I help them with project management around payroll-related workflows: mapping processes, running workshops, coordinating planning, and dividing tasks.”
Important stuff—salaries have to be paid! What’s the value for the client?
“At Popay, we combine payroll expertise with project management. That means we can take the load off clients who are less experienced in those areas. We bring clarity, we take over certain responsibilities, and we deliver a final result that really helps them move forward.”
How do you empower your clients?
“By taking away their stress so they can focus on doing their jobs well. We bring structure and break down complex processes into smaller steps, so everyone knows exactly what’s happening and when. Managers know what’s expected of them—and what they can expect from us. It brings peace of mind and the energy to focus on what they do best.”
Why is that so important right now?
“Many organisations are overwhelmed—with inflation, external pressures, cost-cutting. Workloads are heavy. Being able to outsource payroll to a trusted expert who listens to your needs offers real relief. It lets you refocus on your core business.”
What would you say defines you at work? What’s “typical Dorien”?
“I’m very present, pretty outgoing. I love creating a positive vibe with my colleagues. I’m also very enthusiastic and can bring others along with me. That’s essential in project management—with your own team and with clients too—so that everyone stays motivated and feels good.”
And when are you truly satisfied with your work?
“At Popay, and for me personally, the bar is set high. We always aim for 100%, never 80%. I’m satisfied when we, as a team together with the client, achieve the expected outcome.
It’s not just about ticking the box—the client and team both need to be happy. The process matters, but so does the result.”
What’s the greatest compliment you’ve received from a client or colleague?
“That I inspire trust. I have a calm energy that people can rely on. Everyone knows I take responsibility. If I say I’ll do something, I do it. I never forget. Internally and externally, people know they can count on me—so they can do their best work too.”
And how’s the atmosphere at Popay?
“It’s super important to me. I actively work to make sure people feel good.
Work isn’t just about logging hours—it’s also about having real conversations, sharing ideas.
We often eat lunch together at the office. On Fridays, we have a little happy hour at 4pm to wrap up the week. We also go out for dinner or do activities together. We’ve even been on a few trips together! Last time, we spent four days in Italy. And it’s a real vacation, unless something urgent comes up. Clients know this and respect it.”
Well said. What gives you energy—and what absolutely drains you?
“I get a real boost when people and processes are aligned. When the team and the client are in sync, working together toward a goal. That chemistry between people gives me a buzz.
What I really struggle with is what we call in Belgium ‘paraplutrekkerij’—people who push away responsibility. I have a hard time with that.”
With all that energy, what’s your ambition?
“Popay is evolving as we grow, and that’s affecting our structure. We’re developing a new branch: HR advisory and transformation. I want to help build that—from the client side, the team side, and the structural side. It’s a great challenge that really excites me.”
And within a year, what do you want to have achieved for yourself?
“I work a lot on gut feeling and common sense. It works, but I’d love to follow more targeted training in change management. I want to develop myself, grow, and become even more professional.
And I have the space to do that at Popay.”
A beautiful vision. Final question—what are you most grateful for?
“Our clients place tremendous trust in us. Often, new projects come through recommendations or returning clients. That trust has been at the heart of everything for me these past years at Popay—not just for my team, but across the whole organisation. It’s wonderful to see, and I’m truly grateful for it.”
Want to learn more about working at Popay or just say hello?
Dorien is just one of many passionate colleagues making a difference every day at Popay.
Looking to join a dynamic team where trust, initiative, and collaboration are key?
Explore our job openings or get in touch with us directly—we’d love to meet you!
