Pia De Quint
General manager
In three words: Entrepreneurial, pragmatic, and creative.
Black with one Canderel, please.
This interview has been translated, the original language is: Dutch
Short introduction
- What are you proud of?
- I am, first and foremost, proud of my family—my support and inspiration. Professionally, I am proud of my entrepreneurial spirit and resilience. My background in top-level sports has taught me to be goal-oriented, persistent, and flexible in overcoming challenges—qualities I apply daily to create opportunities and achieve goals.
- In your free time, what do you like to do most?
- In this season of my life, most of my free time is dedicated to my young family. With two energetic boys aged 3 and 6, I have my hands full, but I truly enjoy doing fun things together. Whether it’s a walk, a trip to a museum, or something else—we always call them our “adventures.” So, let’s just say that in my free time, I’m mostly an adventurer.
- Did you know that I…
- that I am a former professional cyclist?
- Where would you go in a time machine and with whom/why?
- I would make full use of it. My great love for history, particularly in the field of social development, makes it tempting to travel back to key moments in time. It would be fascinating to witness those periods firsthand. Yet, my curiosity about the future might be even stronger. Not to jump decades ahead, but to see what our society looks like tomorrow and what choices we make that shape our world. I would prefer to take these journeys alone, especially since I wouldn’t stay too long. The present is what I enjoy most, and I would always want to return quickly to fully embrace the moment and appreciate the here and now.
Pia's Recommendations
- What is your favourite movie?
- I’d rather skip movies—the long sitting time that comes with them is difficult for me. Watching a series works better now and then. I enjoy something like Downton Abbey for its historical setting, but I also appreciate the suspense in Harlan Coben’s series.
- What book would you recommend?
- I’m a true bookworm and read daily—I can even send you an Excel list if you’d like! My preference is historical fiction, such as The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett—a classic in the genre. But if I had to recommend one book that recently moved me deeply, it would be The Eighth Life by Nino Haratischwili. It’s such an impressive and immersive story, absolutely worth reading. A must-read!
- Can you recommend a good restaurant?
- Absolutely! I have a restaurant tip for every moment of the day. For lunch, I’d recommend Nuoc Mam in the Volkstraat in Antwerp-South. If you’re looking for something special in the evening, Fiera is a great choice. Located in the iconic Schippersbeurs in Antwerp, this historic building—once part of the monumental Handelsbeurs—has always been a meeting place for people and goods. Combine that with excellent food, and you’re in for an unforgettable evening.
- Do you have another cool tip for us?
- Absolutely! Take some time to be a tourist in your own city for a day. There are often hidden gems waiting to be discovered that you might otherwise overlook. Visit a lesser-known museum, take a themed city walk, or simply enjoy a picnic in a park you don’t visit often. Small adventures close to home can be surprisingly refreshing!
Last but not least
- What is your favourite quote?
- "Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible." - de dalai lama. Echt een simpele gedachte, maar eentje die me eraan herinnert dat lief zijn vaak het begin is van veel moois. (Such a simple thought, yet one that reminds me that kindness is often the beginning of something beautiful)
