Zina Agovic, vice president of human resources at Signify and board member at Refugee Talent Hub, talks about her motivations in the 'The secondary function of…' section of Management Scope.

Please note: this article was translated using a translator app

Why did you want to become a board member at Refugee Talent Hub?

 'That largely has to do with my personal background. I myself fled from Bosnia in 1992. Together with my father, mother and brother. I was 17 years old then. We had a nice life in Bosnia and my parents had good jobs. When war broke out, everything changed.

 We escaped from our hometown of Zvornik just in time, where a massacre took place not much later. We eventually ended up in Limburg. In the Netherlands we have had every opportunity. I went to school, studied. But it wasn't easy. For example, it was quite difficult for my parents to find suitable work. I will never forget how my father was shaking with happiness when he finally had a job again. “I can take care of you again,” he said. An emotional moment. Work is so important.'

 Read the full interview here .